The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-11-18

sue 6Pr1nS1nR out IN nef Joyous way, gown
all ruffied with embroidery, wide hat shsd
ing her sweet face the sunlight on the mass
of crisp hair beneath. They said GOOD
morning 70 each other, and then she spoke
TO the dog.
Between her two admirers Miss yerinder
ought to have acquired much useful infor-
nation during that sweet summer holiday.
Young Hoare took possession of her at once.
heard her blithe laugh as she answered
some remark OF his. They made handsome
couple, thought; she so fair and slim, he so
tall and dark anu broad shouldered, and
both with that wonderful light of youth ON
their faces.
He is a handsome fellow" Mr.. Gorst
said; and knew he had OWNED my thought.
He was wonderfully sharp for all his blind
ness
scarcely knew how long had been writ
ing. Ii was a letter TO a dear old friend of
mine. and had for a little while forgotten
my surroundings, when Mrs. Colquhoun's
weaFisome voice forced itself on my atten-
ton.
She had exhausted her newspaper, and
Mrs. Verinder having just come in, she had
a thrilling piece of gossip to unfold to her.
"Quite shocking. Mrs. Nerinderl / was SO
frightened l could not sleep again. Mr..
Gorst, you know, he came down the corridor
last night perfectly drunk, stumbling over
everything. He tried to burst into my room,
but fortunately / always keep the door lock-
ed; and he felt about his room and talked to
himself half the night. Quite shocking is
IL not? These professional sort OF people
are always unsteady. and being blind seem
to make it so much the worse. Really, Mrs
Verinder, don't you think we ladies ought
to take some steps to show what we think of
such conduct
Mrs. Verinder made some feeble sound of
horror. was too petrifed to say anything
-. .aw q
one than usual; If it was true
But what was tins indignant young figure
that started up from my side?
at is not true, mOther-l am sure it is not
true. Oh, it is shame TO tell such stories of
any onei Mr.. Gorst is a gentleman; he
would scorn to do such things. Oh, it is
cruel People ought to spare him at least
The child looked transformed, her cheeks
blazing, her brown eyes sparkling.
"Alice, ALICE said her mother.
at is the injustice of it, mother-that is
what mind
Mrs. COlquhoun was Strengthening her
spectacles and looking mp at the indignant
girl with malicious smile.
knew what story she would make OF
this. and, though | could not but admire
Alice's generous championship, | felt sorry
she should have drawn this womans un-
scruDulous tongue upon her.
She was still standing there, with her full
young figure drawn up, and her scornful
face, and Mrs. COlquhoun had just opened
her lips for crushing retort, when behold
standing amongst ms Mr.. GOrst himself. per-
fectly calm and unmOyed to all outward APP
pearance.
Had a thunderbolt fallen amongst us we
could not have looked more astoniShed.
Mrs. COlquhouns face flushed crimson, as
well it might. Poor, pretty Alice grew
snow-white, and all the fire went out OF her
eyes.
81 can not thank you sufficiently. Miss
Verinder," he said, "for taking the trouble
to defend me. Pray let me apologize he
went on then to Mrs. Colquhoun, ';for hav-
ing unintentionally heard so much about
myself. was writing letters in the other
bay. and had no intention of listening, when
my own name caught my ear. 1t is full
filment OF the old proverb but have no
doubt you will be greatly pleased to hear
you have made most unfortunate mistake.
Nv room was changed last night; the gas
was not lit; my luggage was all about in the
middle of the floor, In my half or three
quarters blind condition, / certainly did
stumble good deal about, and had also to
speak great deal to my dog through the
night: he Is always restless in strange quar-
tiers AS for being drunk, have been a
water drinker all my life. must express
my regret for having so disturbed your rest,
but | am sure your distress of mind last
night must be more than compensated this
morning by your relief at finding out am
not such depraved character as you had
feared"
1t was a very narrow path, just room for
two people to walk very close together. con-
sequently, / suppose, it was called the Low
ers Walk. There were seats al intervals.
and it had many unexpected turns and
twists, as it wound round the hill.
A. =
corners. what or rather who did | see just in
front OF me only few yards away! Alice
Nerinder and Mr.. GOrst: and he was holding
both her hands in his. and bending over her,
the inevitable Jack sitting beside them,
his foolish tongue hanging out his leash
lying unregarded on the damp ground, an
expression on his face as if he would say,
this is nice piece of business Well. l
take great credit to myself. neither started
nor screamed; luckily neither of them had
seen me, and / turned swiftly round the way
/ had come, hurried the corner, aim ost ran
the whole way home, never stopping for
breath until found myself safe in my own
room. where sat down to think over what
| had seen.
Ii was an hour or two later, and / was still
sitting in my room, but ready dressed for
dinner, waiting for the bell To ring. when
there was little tap at my door and Alice
entered radiant. blushing. happy. / re-
member Just how she looked, in a pretty
dress of some shining green stuff she al
ways dressed so prettily, with a square cut
bodice and elbow sleeves showing her fair,
round arms. bunch of white roses in the
lace of her bosom. SEE stood looking at me
for a moment and then she closed the door
and crossed the room swiftly, and came and
knelt beside me.
Il saw you to-day" she said softly, land
you turned back because you saw-us.'
How can describe the sweet radiant light
in her face? l bent down and kissed her.
''Aly dear, / said to her, ''are you sure of
yourself? Do you really love him." But
there was no need of an answer. 1 could
read il in her eyes.
ooh. Miss Brown, am so happy so happy.
Do you think" she srid then, with little
wistful trouble in her sweet face. 'that will
be able to make him happy. that can help
TO make up to him for all his troubles?
"My dear" told her, stroking her bright
hair. and yelling tears not far from my foolish
old eyes, you will make him the happiest
man In England
And only think he was going away. and
would never, never, have told me, If it was
not for to-day, and that horrid woman. Oh.
Miss Brown, / am happy, happy girl"