The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-19

however, and drew away from him. while he
jumped to his feet at the opening of the door.
The old butler came in with letter on a tray.
There was something sinister in the look of the
letter. 1t was in blue envelope, and was di-
rected In very common, uniform hand, imme-
date written on it in large letters.
Please sir, Mr. Forts man do say as they
don't know If it's anyJhink of Importance; II. he
as brought it. seeing as immediates it, in case
it should be business, SIR" The butler gave
demure glance at his mistress who was still
blushing good deal, as she had done when she
pushed away the chair.
"Thank you Jenkins" said Oliver.
He took the letter and looked at 1T before he
opened it. He thought he had seen the hand
writing before, but could not remember where.
He felt little afraid of it; he could not tell why
He turned it over in his hand and hesitated, and
would have liked to put it into his pocket ana
carry 1T away with him for perusal afterwards.
What could be so immediate as to require his at
tention nova BILL perhaps2 He ran over the
list OF possibilities in that way, and did not re-
member anything
What is it, Oliver2' said Grace. Haven't
you opened it, Oh, but you must open it when
it is marked immediate. 1t must be business, of
course
II should think it's a hoax" he said slowly.
"a circular, or something of that sort" and
crushed it in his hand Then. as she made lit
tie outcry-'Well, I'll open it to please you. All
women, perceive, believe in letters" he said,
with smile.
The joke was but small one at the best-it
seemed smaller and smaller as he opened the
envelope and read what was written within.
Graceshad gone away to rearrange some flowers
on the table to leave him at liberty. She bent
over them, taking out some that were beginning
to fade, pulling them about little till the mo-
ment should be over. 1t seemed to run into two
or three minutes, and Oliver did not say any
thing or even move. He would generally say,
ooh, it is So-and-so'-some friend who
had sent his congratulations. That was
the chief subject of all their letters at
the present time. They were letters which were
handed from one to another with little notes of
admiration. Poor fellow, he is as pleased as
possible" "What nice letter. Oliver. l am
sure he must be fond of you" and so forth. and
so forth. But he said nothing about this. To
be sure, it was business.
She turned round at last, not knowing what to
do; wondering when your bridegroom does not
tell you of thing what is your duty In the cir.
cumstances. To ask, or to hold your tongue?
Grace was not jealous, nor ready to take offence.
And she was very anxious to do her duty.
What ought she to do?
He folded up the letter. as he had heard herm
and turned towards her, but without raising his
eyes. His face was clouded and dark He put
it into his pocket, and they sat down again, and
began to talk, but not as before, though OF the
same subject.
At last he said abruptly II think 1 will go up
to town, Grace. You suggested it you ought to
know" as if he had altogether forgotten all that
he had said, which she had chidden him for, and
loved him for, all that pleasant nonsense about
himself.
She was startled for moment; then replied
quietly, "Yes, Oliver l do think it will be the
best way"
He continued MISUNDERSTANDING: ''It is not
for that only, my darling. This letter. am
afraid may have to go-a-a friend of mine has
got into trouble. I-cant exactly tell what it is;
and wants me to CO."
''Oh, how sorry am" said Grace. Dear
Oliver, it is natural people should turn to you
when they are in trouble Who is he? Do
know him? Has he written to you about -p
81 don't suppose-he-knows anything about
it. 1t is friend haven't heard of for long
time. Mo- one for you to know, but in great
trouble. Dying the letter says"
"Oh, Oliver, go-go at once. Not for the
world would | keep you from dying man.
Don't tell me any more than you wish, dear, but
can do anything-can send anything9 Is he
oh, Oliver, forgive me-is he poorp
Forgive you2' he said He held her close to
him with strain which was almost violent, as if
he could not let her 60, Then he said, mo, my
to make things worse, and am at the height of
happiness while this poor creature-this poor
soul"
"Oh, Oliver, go and comfort him." she said
Don't lose train; don't come back to say good
bye. Coco" Then, while he held her in his
arms she said, smiling sit need not be very
long parting. suppose.
'tAny parting is long that takes me from you,
Grace"
But it is for loves sake. Good-by I'll do
all 1 can do, Oliver. I'll pray for you-and him. )"
"God bless you, my dear love-not good
bye-tll we meet again."
And then the door closed, and he was gone.
The day Lad grown dark surely all at once
1t was a day in early spring, and very cloudy.
A mass of dark vapor had blown up over the
sweet sky and what change it was, all in a
moment, from that pretty fooling about myself
to this sudden parting. But, then, it was an
errand of mercy on which he was going. God be
with him And it could not be for long. Moth
ing, neither trouble nor suffering, nor death of
friends, nor any created thing could separate
them long