The Indianapolis journal., 1885-09-13

THE STORY OF A SCULPTOR.
PART III.-CHAPTER IN.

HAPTER Ill.
responsibilities which would stiii be mine were
your lover the highest in the land. / must
make inquiries as to his character and moral
worth-these fellows are generally loose lot"
'You may make what inquiries you choose"
THANK you. Now one favor-a command,
the last shall ask or give. You will not answer
this letter-you will not see the man-until
| have satisfied myself on these points. 1t is not
| too much to ask, Eugenia.
| She felt the justice of his remarks-could it be
she was weak enough to be glad of a little delay
she saw it, rose before her.
you must name time" she said.
$50 impatient for true love and social extinc-
tion," sneered Herbert. Surely you can restrain
yourself until this day week."
| 1t was longer than she had meant But her
brothers bitter sneers settled it. $50 be it," she
said, until this day week"
The promise given, James Herbert dismissed
the matter but he filled up the next half hour
with the very cream of society gossip, which was
undoubtedly as palatable to Eugenla as 1T would
have been to any other woman James Herbert
lived within the inner circle and as to-day for
purposes of his own, he spoke to Eugenia as if
! she were of the initiated, his conversation
| was not without charm.
He was clever enough to know when to trust
He had not the slightest fear that Eugenia would
break her promise. So he cautioned Mrs. Cath
cart keep the little fool well within sight, and
thus avoid the danger of chance meeting-to
order the servants to refuse the sculptor adms-
sion if he ventured to call-and above all to be
sure that Norgate had every opportunity of
pressing his suit. After this he waited calmly,
and did nothing more in the matter for six whole
days.
| Days during which Gerald Leigh chafed and
! fretted. He refused to doubt but his heart
| grew heavy within him. He felt sure that Mrs.
Cathcarts visit boded no good. At least he
| could bear the suspense no longer. He called
| and asked for Eugenia. She was out. He
| called again-the same result He went back to
| his studio and tried to conquer his growing
| easiness by hard work. One morning gen.
tleman called and introduced himself as James
Herbert
Gerald received him courteously Herbert was
suave, smiling and bland. He spoke of the
| interest he felt in the young sculptor for his
father, Mr.. Herberts sake. He admired some
embryo designs, and wished and prophesied
all success. Then, as Gerald began to hope
that Eugenia's brother might somedav be his
friend, he turned upon him and tore him to
pieces.
But, after all, Mr.. Leigh, my great object in
calling concerns my sister,"
Gerald grew very pale.
'She is good girl, but weak She has con-
fessed to me that some sort of romatic nonsense
has passed between you"
"She has vowed to be my wife-no more, no
less"
His impetuosty seemed to amuse Herbert. ~
am afraid such thing is an impossibility he
said serenely. II shall not insult you by telling
you she is all but penniless-geniuses, know.
never think of money-but / fear must pain
you by saying she repents of her hasty words"
THAT, said Gerald slowly, yet fercey us
lie"
MY good sir, cannot allow you to use such
words. My temper is fair but it has its limits"
81 apologize" said Gerald sullenly. II should
have said you were coercing her"
II never coerced anyone in my life, much less
my sister. Naturally, shall object to her mar
rlage with you but that makes no difference"
Tell me what you have to tell, said Gerald,
| nervously. He hated and feared this smooth,
| smiling man.
In few words, then My sister is unhappy
and unsettled. For several days she has been
| trying to answer a letter you sent her. At last
| she confded all to me- lam sure am not going
too far when say she would be glad to think
| that all boy and girl promises between you were
| forgotten"
''She sent you to tell me this9" asked Gerald,
| hoarsely
| mo. She knew I was coming. I am putting
| her thoughts in my own words"
Il don't expect you to understand what nv
| love for your sister means-you could not" said
| Gerald. But you know she has vowed to be
| my wife"
''Yes-and will keep her promise if you insist
| upon it," The emphasis Herbert laid on insist
made~Gerads heart sick.
| He said nothing, but with a strange smile on
| his white face went to a table and wrote few
| words. He handed the paper to his visitor.
| Read he said, you say you her mes
senger now you can be mine" The words were:
'Eugenla-lf this is unanswered, shall be-
lieve you wish to recall everything that has
| passed between u.s."
"Thank you," said Herbert. This is all
| could expect"
a, H.
paper in an envelope, and once more rendered it
| to Herbert.
mo. thank you," said Herbert "People have
been tempted to suppress letters before now.
| Post 1t in the ordinary way"
Gerald left the room. He returned in a few
| moments, and Herbert knew that the letter had
| been posted. He had nothing further to do with
| Gerald, SO held out his hand affably.
mo" said Gerald, II would rather not" His
| eyes were cleaning strangely.
As you will" said Herbert, with Indifference.
| II will change my mind" said Gerald in low
voice, and taking the others hand. Condemned
people always shake hands with the hangman,
| think"
He spoke with a CHASTITY attempt at mirth
Herbert left the studio without another word.
but as he drove to Mrs. Cathcarts, said to him
self. The sooner that beggar shoots hangs
himself, the better"
He went straight to his sister He placed his
hand on her shoulder, and with a look she had
never yet seen on his face, said in cold, con-
temptuous manner:
"Eugenia, have been taking some trouble or
| your behalf To-day two things are going to
happen which will settle your future Norgate
will be here presently and ask you be his wife
By the next post you will get letter from that
stone cutter. Before you answer it, shut yourself
up and think until you are in proper frame of
mind Women are foolish, but surely you can't
be the biggest among them"
You have seen him" asked Eugenia, family.
'Yes An extremely nice young man-in his
place"
"a ''Was he welg'
VERY we'll and very comfortable NY dear
girl, he quite won my respect thoroughly
practical young man with lots of common sense.
| Now goodbye. Don't make any mistake"
Did she hear arighta Her brother found Ger
aid thoroughly practical young man! The lie
was so gigantic that it seemed impossible it
could be all lie. She revolving it in her