The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-12

the lovely park with her mischievous cousin
Hal, followed by Gertie and Arthur. she was
as happy as bird which had just escaped
from its cage.
81 tell you, Meta, your step-mother is
6ne-looking lady" said Hal
Yes, she is, and has charming manners"
How in the world did Arthur Brsden
ever come herep
Through an invitation from papa and
Mrs. Woodruff"
'sBut / should have thought that this
would have been the last place on earth for
him to have accepted al invitation TO visit"
why so, Hai?' asked Meta. innocently.
"For the simple reason that he was once
engaged to Lima Mason, the present Mrs.
Woodruff"
Are you sure there is no mistake about
this?p
THAT which tell you is true. aud hs was,
or seemed to be, msdly in love with her. Poor
fellow, | used to feel very sorry fJr him,
when she made him wait for q letter."
81 dare say they have both forgotten all
about that affair long ago."
meta. do not believe it. At the dinner
table noticed how attentive he was to her,
and how, when she looked into his face, her
eyes beamed with q brightness which would
say was love. OF course l do not speak from
experience, for 1 have never as yet been af.
licted with that dreadful malady."
HAL, whatever you know about this af-
fair, never mention one word about 1t to
papa. 1t would ruin his new-found happi-
ness. like Mr.. Braden, but wish he would
leave here"
at wsuld be best. Yet dare say he has
no thought OF leaving place like this and
the woman he loves"
''One thing mean to do; that is, to keep
them apart as much as possible. AS long as
you are here can do so very easily. Gertie
and have planned excursions of some kind
or other to some new place for every day. l
shall claim you as my escort, leaving Gertie
What if 1 should refuse to acknowledge
your claim?p said the mischievous Hal.
.I have no fear, my noble cousin, of your
declining to accept such an honor"
"Well, just wait and see. What q beauti-
suppose We rest here for while. This is a
nice way to treat a fellow anyhow, who has
travelled several miles this morning.
''Oh, Hal, you do look dreadful tired and
worn out; lie down here and / will watch
you while you sleep; Here is my hat. you
may have 1t for pillow"
THAT settles it With your pretty face
near me and your hat under my head, no
sleep would ever come to my eyes,"
II am most awful sorry. Well, you two
must be unusually lazy, or like my young
charge here, you are tired, as We have bsen
here sometime" Nets said, as Arthur and
Gertie approached.
other, but have been walking slowly, ad.
miring the scenery aud flowers You must
not always believe my brother when he COM
plains OF being tired, for If you were to COM
plain of the same he"
Would lift her in his strong arms, carry
her back to the hall, and find her q place to
lie and rest" interrupted Hal
Then, sir, IL Mr.. Braden will lend Us q
helping hand. we will do so with you" re-
piled Meta, laughingly.
mics Woodruff, | am a. your service.
Only assign to me- INV share of this arduous
task" said Arthur.
You are all very willing but IS you are
not yet ready to return to the hall. will
excuse you"
"Tbank you brother. for the mercy you
have shown u.s." said Gertis.
Thus the afternoon passed swiftly by and
Tea was ready when the Young folks re-
turned to the hall. Lima Woodruff showed
that she was angry, and when. after tea, four
horses were brought around to the door,
she whispered to Arthur, who was standing
by her.
Arthur, you must remain at home with
me. 1 can not endure this separation any
longer"
"What am to do about It? I can not,
dare not, refuse to accompany them, or else
| they might suspect something was not
right"
| II had you come here that might have
you to myself You are my guest, and not
theirs"
| mot yours alone. Lima. Honor and re-
| spect for both you and your husband CON-
pels me to respect his daughter and her
| guests"
| you used to-"
| "You judge me wrongly, Lima, for when
| ever my eyes catch one glimpse OF your
dear face, have no thought for any one else
but you, my evil spirit"
| ITO horse, Mr.. Bradeu; We are all ready
and waiting for you" said Meta.
II beg your pardon, ladies, and promise to
/ do better next timen
Arthur mounted his horse. took his place
beside Gertie, and all four rode away laugh
ing and chatting gaily.
Why do you look and seem SO unhappy,
Lipa?n
Unhappy, Clivel Why should be I'M
happy; are you not with Ine2''
My wife, is my presence all that is neces-
cary to make You happy"
what a queer question" she answered,
evading the direct one to his question.
ut may seem so to you, but must &C
| knowledge that In our short married life
there bave been moments when thought
| you bad the appearance of one who needed
| something more than a husband to make
you happy. What is it, wife; can you not
confide in me?"
az have nothing to confide. have told
you more than once that my past life was
mistake"
But you have never mentioned to me in
what way 1t Was So"
Nor do ever expect to. Ny past be-
lcpgs to me alone"
And your future. i'tle,woman"
ITO God and-and-"
why do you hesitate my darling2 Will
you never overcome this shyness with ms?"
Mrs. Woodruff did not answer her nus
band, but entered the house, followed by
the man she had promised to love, honor
and obey. and in a short time By Meta and
her guests.