The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-21

for dinner in leisurely way that gave him full
scope for meditation. Naturally it was of his
friend and his friends wife that he thought.
''She is very handsome he told himself,s land
she is good woman. would stake my life
that she is true as steel But she is not happy.
There is the rub. There is mystery. I don't
wonder the country people talk. woman in
Lady Darners position-with such husband as
Allan, and such Jersey cows'-his glance wan
derng involuntarily to the fawn- colored, black
muzzled herd in the pastures yonder-"a woman
in Lady Darnels position ought to be happy,
and if she is not-well if she is not, there is
reason"
He recalled that calm, fnely-cut face, its
proud repose, its look of serious thought. No,
and again no, it was not the countenance of .
happy woman. Allan might rejoice in his des-
tiny, might deem himself blessed among men;
but there was secret canker gnawing the heart
of Allan's wife.
"StuartF muttered the Colonel presently.
Widow of Captain Stuartl What Stuart. I
wonderP
And then he began to recall the men of that
name whom he had known in the service. They
were numerous but he could remember none OF
them likely to have left beautiful widow. And
why had not her husbands regiment been men,
toned IN the advertisement? There must be
some screw loose" said the Colonel.
He found the three ladies and his old chum IN
the drawing-room when he went down; no one
else.
II would not have anybody asked for to night.
Weldon" said Sir Allan; ''for knew that you
and would want to talk; and it's hard lines for
other men to sit by while couple of Anglo.ln-
dian fogys 60 over their old stories together"
Dinner was announced almost Immediately.
The Colonel took Lady Darnel to the dining
ROOM and sat between her and Grace, while
Miss Darnel occupied the other side of the snug
ter were in high spirits, full of old reminis
cences, hunting and horses, Graces ponies and
Graces dogs, which seemed to be legion; the old
man and woman who had died since the Colonel
went back to India; tho changes in the village,
the new school house.
Talking of schools how is it you have not
told me anything about Paris and your expert
ences there" said the Colonel 1T must have
been tremendous change from Darnel to the
Bots de Bouogne."
Grace blushed furiously, and was silent for a
moment or two
did you like Passy and your French school
mstress?" asked the Colonel
II detested being sent there" replied Grace,
flashing an angry glance at her aunt, whom She
had never forgiven for that act of interference,
which had in somewise changed the girls
destiny, "and saw no reason why should be
sent to school, at my age But got to like the
place pretty well afterward. Madame Sartori is
silly old woman; butt she did not ill-treat u.s.
or interfere with us much. Her house was lib
erty hall. And was sent there to be drilled
and trained as if it had been a reformatory.
That was a capital Joke"
She laughed bitter little laugh and her
voice had a hard tone which Colonel Stuckely
did not like. Was this his sweet ingenious
Oracle; the girl who was the soul of simplicity
and truthl He felt that there was change-an
evil change-wrought by that accused Partisan
school He had always hated Paris; he had al
ways hated girls schools. If heaven had given
in the meadows, like those Jersey cows-in the
hunting felds-on the river He would have
had them taught reading and writing perhaps,
in the winter evenings. No more. He would
at any rate have reared healthy brood.
I'm my time Madame Sartori was quite the
most perfect person in her ways with girls" said
Dora Darnel
"Ah., but. your time was so very long ago,
Aunt Dora" answered Grace. There has been
time for Maman Sartori to outlive all her gifts
since then."
Nor in my time did anyone ever think of call
ing her Maman Sartori."
"Ah, girls were so dull and prim twenty years
ago." retorted Grace. youth has only learnt to
taught US our rights, and how to enjoy Them"
''Gracie," exclaimed her father. with re-
proachful look. ''You are not talking like my
daughter"
81 beg your pardon, father" the girl answered
hastily, 'but always feel mad when people talk
to me about that horrid villa at Passy-with its
stucco gentility-and its shams of all kinds"
'"Then am the offender" said the Colonel,
for it was'I who started the subject shall be
wiser in future"
'You were not prepared for the effects of
American emancipation, remarked Dora, in her
soft girlish voice, voice that had never been
heard raised in anger within the memory>of any
body at Darnel Manor and yet that dove-like
murmur was associated with some of the bitter
est speeches that had ever been spoken at OAR
mel.
Lady Darnel came to the rescue, and turned
the conversation into new channel by question
ing the Colonel about his last campaign; where
upon the talk became animated again, and went
on pleasantly till the ladies withdrew, and the
two old friends were sitting opposite each other
alone in the lamplight.
Light your cheroot. Weldon. l suppose you
stick to Colonel Newcomers old weed-or will
Allan, offering his exquisitely embroidered case,
the sort of thing with which man like Allan
Darnel is provided to safety by his woman
kind.
''And now, dear old fellow, tell me frankly,
how do you like herr"
Thank God, can afford to be frank To see
Lady Darnel, for the first tiqe even, is to like
and admire her. She is beautiful she is charm
ing, she is all that should wish my old friends
wife to be-only-"
"Only what, Weldons You have discovered
drawback
mot to Lady Darners merits. But it struck
me that her health and spirits are not quite so
good as you and her friends would wish"
you are rlgnt. NO, my poor clare Is not IN
robust health There Is something's depres-
sion-a nervous excitability sometin>es. doubt
if Darnel Manor agrees with her. We have
lived here too exclusively, perhaps, since our
marriage. l have been thinking seriously of
taking her to Italy for the winter. No, her spir-
its are too variable for good health, or for ease
of mind. But there are reasons-cruel memo
ries of the past which in measure account for
this. have not yet told you the story of my
marriage Weldon"
"You told me very little; only that your mar
riage was love match and that you were SUI
premely happy. That was enough to satisfy
your friend"
But should have told you great deal more
If it had not been for my aversion to letter
writing. 1t was longish story to write, and a
painful one; so thought it would be easier to
Tell you all about it when you and were smok-
ing our cigarets face to face, as we are to-
night"
Don't tell me one word, if there is shade of
IN ~, fha ta1v ha