The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-13
written Tor the Indianapolis Sentinel.
META WOODRUFF.
by Mrs. Addie Deitch Frank.
CHAPTER K.

'NAJ PACo1oAGyg lOI NOW COulU II 90 OLQeT-
wise, when Hal Harris and Meta were pres
ent? Meta played and sang her sweet, full
voice penetrating to every part of the room.
Arthur stood by her side and turned her
music, as Hal was too much fatigued to al
low his precious feet to support bis heavy
body another moment. Song after song
Meta sang, aud yet Arthur was not satisfied,
and begged her to sing another But at last
she jumped up from the piano, making
room FOR others.
Mr. Woodruff conducted Gertie to the
piano. Seating herself, she sang in her soft,
sweet voice Loves Request" At this point
the curtains were drawn aside, and Dr. Grey
entered through the open window softly,
AFRAID the fair singer might be disturbed by
his presence. No one moved to welcome
him, for all read in his face something more
than the voice alone of that girl was csps-
bic OF exciting. How plainly she uttered
every word:
Nov the day Is slowly waning,
Evenings breezes softly. softly moan;
Wilt thou neer heed my complaining
Canst thou leave me thus alone?"
"Csnst thou thus unmoved behold me.
Still untouched by love-love so Deep
Nay, thine arms more closely fold me,
And thine eyes begin TO weep"
When she bad finished singing her song
DR.. Grey stepped forward, taking her hands
IN bis. shook them warmly.
Indeed, Doctor L did not know I was
singing for ycn."
Had you Known it, Miss Harris. dars
say you would have selected a different
tong.n
.You are right Doctor; something more
suitable TO your nature"
And may / ask what II would have
1t most assuredly would not have been
song OF love, for have heard that you are
very much opposed to such nonsense as that
termed love-"
lob, nonsense, Miss Harris; you must not
believe ever thing you hear"
Yet, from all appearances. should Judge
that 1t was true. AN not right, Unclep
- I--@sber think you are. Gertie. Yet be-
cause man at forty is not married that is
no sign that he has never been in love-"
II would pity him if be | sd not bsen
Wouldn't yon, Mr.. Braden?' interrupted
Meta.
I'm what way would he to be pitied?''
asked Arthur.
I'm not Knowing what real life and hap
piness are. How desolate hi9 life must be
whose heart has never been warmed by love
Tor some one whose very existence seemed a
part OF his own"
"You must surely have had acme expe-
zince in this line Miss Woodruff, as your
words and actions Indicate" said Arihar
II am too young to think seriously Of such
innings, for myself, at present"
You did not think so few weeks ago.
Miss Meta" Interrupted Mrs. Woodruff.
ALLOW me TO be tine judge of my thoughts
Il the past, Mrs. Woodruff. Perhaps you
might enhghlen Us little upon this sub
1ect.n
"Sometimes speech is silver bat silence
is gcld'-in this case think it would be the
latter. Therefore decline making any fur
remarks"
This subject, which had almost terminated
30 disastrOusly. was destined 10 cause the
DatIed of Lima Woodruff for her step-daugh-
ter to break forth with renewed warmth.
She must have revenge at once. AS she sat
IN her chair rocking back and forth, she was
beautiful in her wrath; her eyes spsrkled,
her cheeks were flushed aud her hands trem-
bled IS she clssped and unolasped her brace
let's The first evening OF Hats visit at
Woodruff Hall was not IS pleasant as it
ought TO have been, and not one OF its in
mates were sorry when DR.. Grey said good
might and departed for his own home.
Next morning there was not the faintest
trace left of the unpleasantness of the night
before. Meta and Gertie were busy preDar-
ing their baskets, as they were going fishing.
Lima and Arthur were oct in the park ad-
miring the flowers. while Mr.. Woodruff and
Hal were in the library talking over some
business matters. Let us. follow the lovers,
who have just disappeared behind clump
of trees.
II can not endure her. Arthur; she Is the
ore person in all the world despise."
How unfortunate. since you are com.
PEELED 10 live under the Same roof"
FOR time only"
What can you do, Lima, TO prevent it?"
She Will have to 6nd other quarters.
This Is my house, and mean tn be sole mis-
tress OF IT," she said. In determined voice.
You surely would not be so unkind, so
sheartless. es 10 separate father and daugh-
ter who are SO lovingly devoted 10 each
other" Arthur ssid.
Call me hesrtless or anything else you
please, for IL il you that made me 500
Lima, ven are doing me q great inj ustice,
and You know II DO you think by setting
and tslking IS you do that you can still re-
tain my lover"
IF for one instant thought you did not
love me- would kill you and then put an
end to my own existence"
"For God sake, Lima do not talk this wsy.
You make me forget that yoa are the wo-
I1en almost adore. and in her place stands
demon before me-"
''Oh! you afraid OF me. You know l
lean what say"
\ 81 am not afraid OF Lima Woodruff, but OF
lat devil which IL within her"
Arthur Braden. will you promise me
that, IL am ever free again, you will make
me your wife?'
81 will, Lima. But God grant thst you
may never be. IS Meta Woodruff would have
to lose her father"
And what differsnce would that make to
your"
ain the short time have known Mr.