The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-28

day Lady Darnel and he were both out But
Miss Darnel was always at her post She was
not locomotive; indeed she had cat-like fond
ness for the house, rarely extending her PEREZ
CARNATIONS beyond cat-like pacing to and fro Of
the terrace in front of the drawing room win
dows, or a perambulation of the dewy lawns or
strawberries. She might be met at all times and
seasons prowling about the corridors with that
velvet football of hers. And thus it came about
that nothing, not to the most attenuated partic-
ular OF existence, could occur at Darnel without
Dora's knowledge; hardly a sentence could be
spoken of which she did not hear enough to
divine the drift of the speaker. The servants
had thus come to consider her omnscient, and
to fear her accordingly. She was an admirable
housekeeper, for her whole attention was riveted
upon the details of existence at Darnel. She
had no joys, no hopes, or fears; no interests
outside the park gates. She was not without
accomplishments and she was not without in
tellectual culture-yet the world of politics, the
world OF art, the world of the past and OF the
future were to her a dead letter. She lived only
to rule and reign in her little kingdom of Darnel
It may be conceived, therefore, what mental tor
lures she suffered the occasion of her brothers
second marriage, when she saw the scepter slip
ping from her grasp.
HAS father driven to Scadleighr asked
Grace, as she sat down to luncheon, looking
very pretty in the dark gray cloth sailor gown,
with coquettish terra Gotta velvet waistcoat,
just touch Of vivid color to set off her milk
white skin, and harmonic with her ruddy gold
hair.
He has gone to London"
ITO Londonp
Eyes. He and Lady Darnel started directly
you were gone. They drove off in tremendous
hurry to catch the express ut Scadleigh."
But father didn't say one word about it at
breakfast" exclaimed Grace.
II believe it was quite a sudden resolution.
They are to be back to dinner. We are to dine
at half past 8, Colonel. l hope you won't mind. y
mot |, said the Colonel. Grace and l will
sit in the freight and tell each other fairy
stories"
1t was still that pleasant autumn season, when
evening fires are luxury, and when home grows
every day more homely.
my father has gone to town on business, l
suppose" said Grace, sorely mystifed by this
unpremeditated rush to London, which was so
unlike her fathers usual habits. "But why drag
Lady Darnel with himl"
Il have not the faintest notion" said Dora
ALLAN told me nothing beyond the bare fact
that he was going to take Lady Darnel to town,
and that they would be back to dinner. He beg
ged me to convey his apologies to you, Colonel
Stukely."
There was no occasion for apologies" said the
Colonel
Both he and Grace knew Miss Darnel we'll
enough to be convinced that she knew all about
her brothers business in London. Those sharp
ears, those acute perceptions of hers were rarely
at fault.
Sir Allan's business in London did not remain
long mystery to his trusted friend. When the
ladies had left the dining room that evening the
two old comrades in arms drew their chairs to
the hearth and lighted their cigarettes, and then
came the hour Of confidence
II daresay you all wondered what took us up
to town in such hurry this morning." said AL
Ian.
Grace has an active imagination, and she
exercised it vigorously between luncheon and
o'clock tea" answered the Colonel. laughing;
'but my sluggish old brain has not been much
disturbed by the mystery. People think moth
press. 1t would have been different if you had
had to go in a dhak.
II took Clara to see Sir Clarkson Andrews"
Indeed"
EYES, have been anxious about her for a
long time, and in spite of our family doctors as
surance that there was no cause for alarm l de-
termined to consult frst-rate physician. &c.
as this morning was particularly ne, and had
no work to do at home, l persuaded her to go to
Cavendish square with me. l telegraphed for
an appointment from Scadleigh, SO there was no
time lost. Sir Clarkson was kindness itself, had
a long talk with my wife, assured me that there
was nothing organically wrong, only tend
ency to languor and low spirits. which might
deveope into something. worse if we were
not careful He strongly conn fas
winter I am to move her from place to place,
give her plenty of change of scene in a word to
do all in my power to amuse and interest her.
1 have doubt Darnel Park is charming
place; but frankly now, Sir Allen, isn't it just a
little dullg he asked. I admitted the fact
OF course, all parks are dull, he said, shut in
from the outside world-a dignified seclusion
Very few neighbours within easy reach. dare
say Very few whom Lady Darnel cares for,
replied I. Just so,' said Sir Clarkson. oh, I
know those parks. They have to answer for
shortening the lives Of our aristocracy. Take
Lady Darnel along the Riviera, letting her see
every place that is worth seeing and then drop
quietly down into Italy for the winter. You can
take her back to Darnel when the primroses are
in bloom; and pledge my honour she will be a
new creature!'"
'Well, my dear Allen, this was rather
cheering than otherwise"
1T was comforting to know what is wrong
Poor dear Clare do not think it is the dullness
of Darnel Park she has felt half so much as the
want of sociability upon the part of my old
county friends. That has wounded her deepl ""
Have they been more unsocable than county
people usually are?" asked the Colonel, with par
donable hypocrisy.
He was very we'll aware Of the fact both from
Miss Darnels innuendoes, and from his own per-
sonal observation. The county had given Sir
Allan's second wife the coolest reception com
patble with civility.
They are not absolutely uncivil; they would
not dare be that omy wife," said Allan, "but
they have not been cordial. There has been no
real trendliness. They take every occasion to
let my wife feel that she is not in their own par
ticuar set; and she does feel it, more I believe
for my sake than for her own She is too proud
to court anybody's friendship The people all
made their duty calls when we came home from
our honeymoon; but there was favor of duty
about the thing which was unpleasant. Then
came three or four state dinners to which my
wife went, and where she was made to feel
somehow by the feminine portion Of the party
that she was received on sufferance. We gave
two or three dinners that winter at which some
of my old friends were present; but there was a
suspicious number of previous engagements, and
l know poor Clare felt Inundated at finding it
such difficult matter to make up a party of
twenty. Since then we have fallen into the way
of living almost entirely alone. The rector and
his wife come to us IN friendly way, very
often, as you have seen. Occasionally have an
old army friend down from London. Young
Colchester drops in to luncheon pretty often in
the hunting season and that is about all. Clare
never complains, and she is not dependent for
h bapp cocafxy. INIT kp0tu he faalc