The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-15

b 1t hope you won't mind such tlIF /
coming through third person. OF course
the situation Is peculiar, and rather delicate |
for Mr. Hale. he thought he would rather |
put 1t into my hands; that is rather let me- |
d I'D out first your-your feeling about it,"
Miss Bennett looked up bewildered. II
don't understand. Mrs. Alexander. Is it
about the little boy? Does Mr.. Hale want
to reward me"-a deep flush suffused her
fairness-"for what did, / couldn't take
his money. of course"
Il don't know that be would look at it
quite in that light" Mrs. Alexander an
swered. ut probably helped to bring mat.
tiers to climax with him. Indeed he init
mated as much. And perhaps it is a reward
Of virtue. Certainly 1t is quite after the
| story book style; but you are pretty enough
aud bright enough, as told him, for almost
any position. He Ii q self-msde man him.
self; it isn't such a wonderful condensation
when one remembers that He couldn't ex-
pect to many into the Mayfower family,
| for all his wealth"
| Miss Bennett felt as II her senses were
playing her false You don't mean-you
can't mead" she cried, that he wants to
marry me?
Mrs. Alexander put her her arm about her
soothingly. II suppose it is rather over
whelmlng, my dear. 1t was to me at first
But, after all why should he not7 There are
the three children, of course, and he's
twenty yaars older. and he hasn't much be-
sides his money to recommend him; but il
would be splendid home for you, dear. 1t
seems he has watched you ever since that
time you tresI ssed. And he has made in j.
quiries of me. He began making them some
time ago, but l didn't notice. / thought
perhaps he wanted q governess. Of course
gave you the highest recon mep dations. /"
she added, laughing, ''though didn't know
the position he wanted you to fill. He seems
Il Ia q a n ~ In a
/ tainly great triumph for you nv DEAR"
[ Miss Bennett sank back into the chair from
which she had half risen. Her mind plainly
could not take in the new situation; but
she came to herself when Mrs. Alexander
went on: "Of course you may want time
to think 1t over, but he would like to see
| you this evening, and-he hopes for an an
I swer then"
| "Ohl OH" Miss Bennett cried, sprirgine
3 to her feet. There's no use. couldn't i
, 10y life depended on it, for-rm engaged Il
come one else. And never knew-indeed
e days ago. that Philip was his nephew. Yol
; see." she went on, breatblessly. Ibis siste
: was with me at school, and that was tn,
= way learned to know him. And Mr.. Hall
. was very angry at his engaging himself to
! down East school ma'sm,' as he called me
9 He had promised to help him before, but
< but they euarreled over me, and Phil wen
: West, and came here. And it was only
4 fortnight ago that wrote him-becsuse
p hadn't much else to write-all about m
r trespsssing, and what had come OF it. An,
g he answered. had his letter last weeK
That's my old dragon of an uncle
4 and IL you've won one concession
n from him; perhaps you can do more. II b
Il learned to know you, he might think differ
r emily about our engagement, and though
don't need any of his help now. still he
d my nearest relative, and should like to b
q on good terms with him. And had bee
9 hoping-but now-now you see how impo.
r sible IL is. And if Phil has his own way I
g make, and we may have TO wait long tim,
/ and perhaps always be poor. love him to
o much to mind"
/ The soul of young Ieve and trust was Il
d her eyes as she looked up at Mrs. Alexspde
O and the woman's heart in her Was touched
1t was the philosophy of the Babes in tn
a Wood, indeed: she could have overturned
|, with touch of worldly common sense; bu
she only bent near her, and then suddenl
b Ruth felt kiss on her forehead, o kiss of
mothers comprehending love.
o But when she had cooled little from th
9 unexpected touch OF en- tn dsiasm Mrs. Alel
8 auder had her plans She met Mr.. Hale he
!; self that evening; she COMPOUNDED him Iwit
the news that the scho ma am despised fo
q his nephew was his own elect; and she 70
b lowed up her advantage till he consented {
h express his gratitude To Miss Bennett by Oh
( gift of q home-of which he should not /
master. And since young Philip was doin
q well at the West, and needed no mors of h
4 uncle's help, the new home was hardly read
! before he could claim its mistress. Only or
! touch of romance Mr.. Hale allowed himse
) the wedding gown which replaced Ruth
] unlucky dress.