The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-14

He took her out there, as he would have taken
her anywhere but hardly a word was spoken
between them. Adela was thinking, thinking
all the way. AS she landed Landon happened
to be reading in hammock among the trees
and he recognized her and came to meet her.
He said be was very glad to see her. and showed
it by his face and manner. They walked little
way aside in the shadow, and he asked con-
STRANGELY after her friend. Adela turned and
looked him in the face
''She is WELL" she said, and paused moment.
catching her breath; then went on, firmly. Mr..
Landon, why do you stay away from her?n
He hestated but then answered, straightly,
''She forbade to Gomez
Did she tell you her reasonT
The blood flashed through Adela's face with
the words.
NO" he replied; "she only said she could
not"
DO you still careY"
He leaned back against tree and turned his
face to her.
Every much" he said
Adela turned about and seemed to look across
the bay. but did not see it for a sharpness that
went through her throat and eyes and made
things black before her. But Landon only
saw her fine, strong. self commanding face, with
certain proud elevation in it, when she turned
back and said to him:
Il know her reason-it was not good one; it
was mistake. You must 60 back and tell her
tell her said so. Her reason did not imply
any dlsfavor towards YOU"
Landon was the weak one now. He bent his
arm about the tree and sunk his head But he
stood up presently
NO" he said, 81 cannot go unless she gives
me leave"
Adela hesitated. looked away and back like a
bird eager for flight.
Il will tell her tonight that if you do not
hear from her to the contrary in three days her
silence Will be the same to you as consent"
Then she walked straight and swiftly toward
the boat, and, as she came up with Dan, she said
to MIN:
make haste and get me home"
tie sprang to the ropes and made ready. But
Landon stopped Adea on the edge of the wharf
held her hand and DELAYED her. and asked per-
mission to come and see her.
But she answered steadily: mo: please do
not"
She stepped aboard, and walked forward where
the sail sheltered her from the hot sun, and
from Landon's sight She stood there with her
arm about the mast and the kissing prov under
her feet. as still and unseeing as carved figure
head till she sank down for WEAKNESS at the
masts foot; afterward she did not move or speak
until the boat rounded to the home wharf Then
she stood up and turned toward Dan, and he
came and took her proffered hand.
Goodbye, DAN" she said. You've been a
good friend, and thank you very much"
There was something final about the words
that made the fellow quake.
Miss Cassen," he pleaded, cant come and
see you any moreY Won't you let me come and
work for You? I'll make the garden or do any
thing at ALL"
mo, Dan" she said, ut does you no good to
come. You must be man now; we shall meet
now and then and l shall not forget your faith
full friendliness"
He did not hear her last words then, though
he did long afterward
miss Classen," he said with bitterness, ''you
don't know what that means to me-" And he
turned away his face
She looked at him. then glanced sharply about
and spoke low and quickly
nap 1ctn0 ~
drops in her eyes; she went on-"I am going to
put such confidence in you as l shall not to any
one else in the world. Dan, do know what you
feel; have got to be Grave as well as you. Now
goodbye; expect you to be good and brave
man for my sake" And then she was gone.
That evening she went and told Gala. And
all the intense still fire of that deep nature famed
out in resentment almost fierce against what
Adela had done. She would write to him in
stantly-she wonld not write to him; she would
not see him; she would go away tomorrow.
Adela had right; she presumed; she had
forfeited their friendship-she must undo her
interference. She would bitterly repent her med
ding yet.
held with unyielding arms her strongly incensed
and excited friend, who reproached and accused
her and struggled to free herself and sobbed
vehemently when she could not And at last
Adela's quiet had its effect and Gala looked up
and into the eyes dry and vacant. that she had
always seen so bright, and the young face
that had taken on for the time the look so
old and hollow. The sight of her now startled
Gala, chilled her, and turned her anger to sharp
remorse
Adela's Uncle Raymond came for her rather
late, ard as he asked for her at the door she
came down the stair quickly and passed out;
and when he came up with her she took his arm
and chung close to him all the way as they
walked silently homeward through the dark
ness He stopped with her under the lamp in
side their door, and with concern in his strong
face, he looked down into hers, dark and down
cast and very weary.
Who has been hurting my good girl?" he
asked.
And she lifted her eyes and answered, mo
one--no one but myself
He looked down at her moment. Don't
mind too much, dear Adela-let me know if
can help you," he said, ard stopped down and
touched her on the forehead.
"Oh, yes. yon always help me-, she cried, the
tears springing to her relief. And she went
away alone up the stairs.
That was good while age Dan Cantrell is
the trusty and fearless captain of China tea
ship. Adeia Cassen Is a tall ard straight single
| lady, at whom people turn and admire wherever
she goes. Gala Landon comes often to see her,
and their friendship is one of the good and
steadfast things of the world. Adela has never
visited the Landons but once, when there was
young child in the house and the mother was
thought to lie dying Then she came swiftly
and brought order out of frightened confusion
and life from the edge of the grave, the doctors
said And then she went her way again.
There IS one place of silence between Landon
and his wife upon which they never enter. but
casteth out fear and doubt and is stronger than
death or time.
At the Escurial