The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-26
CHAPTER TX.
II LOVE, AND HE LOVES ME- AGAIN.

II LOVE, AND HE LOVES ME- AGAIN.
Colonel Stukeiy spent long and wearisome
afternoon dawding about the lanes and little
clusters of laborers' cottages which called them
selves villages, entering into conversation with
every man, woman, and child whom he could
beguile into a dialogue, and suffering intensely
from his conscientious effort to understand a
patois which was almost as foreign language
to him. In this wise, performing the part of the
benevolent friend of humanity, character par
taking the idiosvncrasies of Haroun Al Raschid
and Sir Roger de COverley, he heard much irrel-
evant matter, from village politics and pothouse
philosophy to the smallest domestic details, with
the full, true, and particular account of the
speakers latest stand further" with the squire,
the parson, the bailiff. But in all the food of
talk to which he listened with sublime patience
the good Colonel could discover not one solitary
sentence bearing upon the task which he mad set
himself to perform.
Riding slowly homewards he tried to cheer
himself with the notion that as he had failed in
the endeavor to trace the footsteps of Victor
Camillac, so also must Mr. Penwern fail. He
had no apprehension that his talents in the de-
tectlve line were inferior to those of the profess
sional inquirer Indeed, it seemed to him that
his education and experience must be more
than match for the technical training of
Scotland Yard He argued therefore, that the
young Frenchman had got clear off aud that
he had nothing to fear for his beloved god
daughter
The o'clock dinner was a dismal function.
Lady Darnel still kept her room. Miss Darnel
sat in her brothers place and went through the
ceremonial with fortitude which savored of
martyrdom. Grace edged her chair as close as
she could to the Colonels. ate hardl aany thing,
and was curiously absent minded, looking up at
her godfather every now and then with a little
appealing glance which went straight to his heart,
smiling to herself now and then as she looked
down at her plate with a strange shy smile, and
at one stage of theentertainment suddenly burst
ing into tears
my dear Grace, if you cannot command your
self better than this. you should follow Lady
Darnels example, and hide yourself from the
light of day." demonstrated her aunt.
LET her cry" said the Colonel, patting the
girls shoulder affectionately. Tears are relief,
and why should she repress the signs of her
grief! There is no secret about her sorrow. We
are all of the same mind"
The Colonel had inclination to sit alone
over his caret. He left the dningroom with
Miss Darnel and her niece. In the hall Grace
put her arm through his.
Come the terrace for little walk" she
said
my dear Grace. there is no moon, and it is
very cold" urged Dora. "What pleasure can
there be In walking on the terrace on such a
nightr
mo pleasure. do not expect pleasure, but
must have air. / am sitting for want of air"
Il should have thought you had air enough
this afternoon, when yoN were tearing about the
grounds with Mr. Colchester" retorted her aunt
sharply.
Twill you come, grandpapal" asked Grace. ig-
noring the reproof. You don't mind walking
up and down the terrace with me for quarter
OF an hour, even if it is dark and cold"