The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-03

NovELETTE-BY FRANCES HoDGsoN BURNETT.
Author
andO Novels
PART I.

In one Of the pfettiest rooms in one of the
prettest cottages in that very pretties. OF sum-
merresorts, North Brabant, two very charming
women were spending the morning together as
they had spent their summer mornings, indeed,
Tor number of years Among the brightest
Recollections of Nell Huntingdon's life were the
summer mornings she had spent in this room
with her mother. She had spent them as child
playing with her toys, as a schoolgirl with her
lessons, and now having left dolls and lessons
behind. she spent them with score or so Of
pleasant tribes. but never without the old sense
of summer holiday enjoyment In the first
place her mother was her delight and PRIDE and
at North Brabant life at the gayest left them so
much leisure wherein to make much uf each
other In the second the whole world looked
beautiful from the windows, though there
seemed less green earth than blue,
far-reaching sea, since the water afro
Tapped the sloping velvet sward Of the lawn
when the tide came in. Thirdly, the room was
30 harmonious; and fourthly, she was so har-
monious herself, though this last fact had never,
as yet presented itself to her as it frequently
did to other people. On this particular morning
she was standing before an easel putting the
finishing touches to little picture and making
She most attractive Of pictures herself-a trim
and lovely figure in close white gown, and
with the freshest Of sea-breeze- blown color on
her fresh cheeks and lips, and the clear
est, lmpid light to be imagined in her large,
candid eyes They were very sweet and happy
eyes, and the face was sweet and happy one,
of delicate, high-brsd cast. daintily and
rather proudly cut the small head set on long
throat and given to pretty, airy movements,
wonderfully expressive 'As if said one of
her cousins when she first appeared in society,
''as If she hadn't enough without having that
added. Why, just one or two of those little
turns Of her chin would be fortune for any girl.
There is no use in trying to initiate her. / have
done it by the hour before the glass; and at the
end could only toss my head, which you never
zee her do"
She made one Of those charming, indescribable
movements, when her mother, who had been
talking to her, ended with the words:
II should certainly hope you never would,
Nell"
II should certainly never think Of It mamma"
she said, and in the turn of her pretty throat
there was such touch of hauteur.
What crime" her mother went on against
responsibility and good taste has not that young
man committed? 1t is unfortunately too true that
there can be doubt that all that is said is said
on good authority, and yet there are girls who
are as familiar with him as they are with Donald,
who is the best and manifest fellow in the
world
Nell lifted her head again most charmingly.
HE will not know me Familiarity" she said.
81 may not be able to avoid meeting him, but /
think can avoid knowing him very we'll"
Mrs. Huntingdon glanced ont of the window,
held her embroidery poised moment and then
uttered faint exclamation.
'There he is !" she said, ''at this very mo-
ment. And must say think his face bears
the imprint Of his character"
Whether or not it is to be regretted that Miss
Huntingdon moved with a hurried. gliding step
toward the window is matter to be settled only
by debate among those who differ. Let those
who regret it mourn. She did so, and stood
with her palette on her pretty thumb, gazing out
mt the two young men, who were passing the
hedge dividing the side of the grounds from the
street
HE has bad face" said Mrs. Huntingdon.
"a cruel ruthless face. 1t might be handsome
but for that"
'He looks like an athlete" said Nell with q
cold, little impartial air. He is a great con-
trast to the other. They are going to play tennis
at the Beveriys.'
he was great contrast to the other. The
other was a small young man. with blonde hair
and good but rather uninteresting little blonde
face, and with thin little legs, which were not
snowy whom displayed by the unsparing rigors
of a tennis suit; he had an innocentiy-pure COM
plexion, and confiding blue eyes, and he carried
his racquet peacefully and with no immodest,
conouersng airs. His companion lowered above
him almost head and shoulders; his dark blue
tennis suit offered a premium to the Punishment
eS moro prosaic and conventional garments; he
was great, strong, swift, muscular creature; he
wore red belt and red cap; he had dark,
strongly-marked aquiline face, big black eyes,
with boldly rowing elance-rather fierce eyes
with heavy lashes. and he bore his racquet over
his shoulder with jaunty and daredevil ease
II suppose it is the result of the life he has
led said Mrs Huntington with sigh. she
would be handsome If it were not for that I'm
mistakable stamp but as it is it is the wicked
beauty Of some cruel savage animal He reminds
me Of q panther"
It YVES just at this moment that the two men
passed the part of the hedge directly opposite the
window and as they did so the boldly rowing
black eyes, led by some subtle magnetism, were
raised suddenly and swept with broad glance
che green barrier, the bit of side lawn and the
fences in the window themselves. and having
Eoted the girl in the background, showed
great fash Of pleasure before they turned away
light cloud of color swept Nells face, but she
did not STIR
They are going TO prac, Cor the tennis