The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-07

much surprised. and asked why I supposed she
knew anything about the lady, to which an
swered that, as she had addressed that persons
note to me, !, Of course, concluded she knew
where she was. She laughed, took the note and
said she would forward it. I tried, in an easy
sort of way, to draw her into conversation about
Miss Janet, but I made very little out of her.
She is a regular oyster of a woman when she
chooses TO be-"
"What are the points" I asked. sabout which
you will consult with the young lady, in case you
should succeed in obtaining an interview
well" said Curper, when I wrote the note
hadn't thought Of anything particular to say
about the case. but now, since I have heard your
latest accounts, I shall advise her to wash her
hands of the whole business, and let the two old
curmudgeons settle their quarrel as best they
can; and then I shall endeavor to improve the ac-
quaintance, for I find that / take a decidedly
strong interest in Janet Floyd"
It was very lonely in town, and it was good
news to hear that Mrs. Morpeth, a widowed lady,
we'll known in society, had not gone into the
country. / called on her that evening, and she
MI. Curper's visit, but / saw no occasion for re-
ticence in regard to the quarrel between Mrs.
Grome and Billy Haskell, and I told her the
story. never saw any one enjoy a recital OF the
kind as Mrs. Morpeth enjoyed this. | had no
idea how comical the affair was. until saw how
she laughed at it.
''Mr. Curper told me-" I said, 'that he had
called on you to ask you to forward q letter to the
lady who had employed him in this somewhat
remarkable case, in which he has employed me.
Of course / have no possible interest in this
young lady"
.Of course not" interrupted Mrs. Morpeth.
"But how do you know she is a young LADY,"
''She was fully described to me by Mrs.
Grome, and Curper also had a description of her
from the old man. But, as I was about to ask,
do you intend to send Curper's letter to her2"
II have sent it" said Mrs. Morpeth.
you may think it none of my business said
I ''but as / have been called upon to act in this
matter, l cannot help thinking that the person
old people should be protected from unwarrant-
able inquiries-as I consider them-into her
identity. / have spoken to Mr.. Curper on the
subject. but my remarks made no impression on
him."
"What a queer man Mr.. Curper must be" said
Mrs. Morpeth.
Eyes," said !, earnestly, 'he is a queer man.
I wouldn't say anything against him, and, in
deed, there isn't anything to say; but that queer
ness of his. that determination to go ahead with
out regard to the opinion of his friends, and all
that sort Of thing. makes it highly undesirable,
in my opinion. that ne should be encouraged to
force himself upon q person who, it is quite evil
dent, is of a retiring disposition. OF course, as
/ said before, 1 take no interest in this lady. at
least no more than any man would in q person
who is-n
Young and handsome" suggested Mrs. Nor
peth.
Not at all" said I. quickly, ''but young, gen.
erous. and of a modest nature that shrinks from
notice in a case of this kind"
"And having heard her described" said Mrs.
Morpeth, you do not think Mr.. Curper is the
man who should make her acquaintance, and
confer with her in regard to these old peopleT
NO." said ], very decidedly. II do not"
Perhaps" said Mira. Morpeth, IF it is really
necessary to have an interview. or a conference,
about this matter, it might be better for you to
see the lady than for Mr.. Curper to do So"
well, / don't know about that" / answered.
'But if l can be of any service in the matter,
and if you and the lady think 1 could better
state the case than Mr.. Curper. who has not seen
Mrs. Grome at all, whereas ] have fully inter
viewed both parties, why of course / am willing
to-do what l can"
Very kind, indeed, Of you,n said Mrs. Nor
peth.
rs the lady," 1 asked. "likely to understand
the legal aspects of a case like this! or is she too
young. and"
Handsome" again suggested Mrs. Morpeth.
Handsome has nothing to do with it," an
swered. II simply wanted to know whether
she is merely q fashionable young lady who
might not be supposed to understand these
things, or . studious, thoughtful girl of a higher
range of intellect, perhaps, than one generally
ACONo VAsA u AAA oSNAOeys ~ VOdNA hOt
only give herself up to generous impulses, bat
would take an intelligent interest in a legal
question when clearly and plainly presented to
her.
by your suggested Mrs. Morpeth.
mo, not necessarily by me-" / answered, a
little u~neasily, 'but by any lawyer who under
stood the case and could state it properly"
'.Mr. Curper, for instance" said Mrs. Nor
mo. said quickly, ..Curper couldn't do it.
He doaop,f kpow anvfhiuO ahont the case eYcapt
what / told him."
Upon this Mrs. Morpeth burst into q laugh;
and. shortly afterwards, | left, feeling a good
deal irritated that she should suppose, as her
manner indicated, that l took any unusual inter
est in Janet Floyd. which. of course. was perfect
nonsense. She should have known better.
In a few days I went to the s~eashore. where /
remained a month or MORE, returning to the city
at the time when nearly everybody was coming
home from summer s%ojourns. One afternoon, a
few days after my return. / found l had some
spare time on my hands, and instead
Of going home from the Office, / con-
eluded to ride out to Ormsby Park. When
I reached the second lane beyond the bridge
Mrs. Grome's and see if she had sold her demon
plaque: because, If her negotiations with her
young lady had fallen through, / was very anx-
ious to buy it. AS | rode up the lane l saw by
the garden gate a carriage which ! knew by its
appearance to be a hired one. The driver, who
was sitting on the grass near by, rose and nodded
to me, and / perceived that he was a man whom
I had frequently employed myself. "Now,"
thought /, If l were Curper. I'd stop and ask
him who it is he has brought here" But /
passed on, and. having tied my horse to the
fence, was presently admitted by Mrs. Grome.
AS l entered the house l glanced around the lit
tie parlor, and saw that it contained no occupant
but ourselves.
well, y said /, show do you get on with your
dispute with Mr.. Haskell" l did not really care
very much how they got on, but thought it not
wise to Immediately proclaim that the demon
plaque was the purpose of my visit.
s'Oh, we've settled all that said she. "Me
an Billy are goin' to be married. There wasn't
no other way of ixin' things. AS long as Hiram
Burns was alive I didn't want no husband. an
wouldn't be bothered with one; but havin' to hire
the work done, as I've had to do this year, would
ruin me in no time, an SO I told Billy, who'd
talked about this before our quarrel. that if he'd
buy a real good work-horse that the neighbors
would agree was young enough. and call all
THINGS snuare. Pd marry him. an ne could leave