The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-17
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MUCH ADO
A NOVELETTE, FRANCES HoDGsoN BURNETT.
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PART III.

PAR
'He does not like to speak of him, poor fell
low" said Mrs Huntingdon once HE feels too
deeply that silence is better. How few men there
are who would not feel tempted to confde in us
and tell the whole story 1t is most delicate and
generous. One is forced to admire and respect
him"
1t was impossible to keep intact the rule of not
referring to Mr.. Jack Hamilton. It was impossi-
bic to ignore him-to rid the atmosphere of him,
as it were They could not drive without meet
ing him driving ALSO using his cousins superb
horses with an air of entire proprietorship. They
could not go to church without finding them
selves either before, behind or beside him. He
seemed to be invited to occupy seat in every
pew within few yards OF them. They could
not accept an invitation without being sure Of
seeing him loom up above the guests of ordinary
size and make himself sort of focus for all
wandering eyes.
''I suppose" Mrs. Huntington said, people
receive him for his couin's sake. And it is more
than probable that they do not know ALL"
She did not herself 'know ALL" Nell did not
tell her "all" Since there seemed no help for it,
Why should she tell her that she was thrown
with Mr.. Jack Hamilton continually and that
she had gradually learned to understand that his
apparently accidental nearness to her on all oc-
easions was the result Of deliberate intention on
his part, and that he Unanswered with as much
forethought, dexterity and determination if
he had been general advancing upon citadel.
It was this determined air, which had first
startled her into realizing the situation Hewas
so daring and so clever, and showed such af I'M
failing resource thai it was possible not rec
ognizs his power. She had never seen mani 80
bold and soready, and yet so capable of eoncealng
his tactics from ali but the one they were meant
to reach. Scarcely day passed in which she
did not find that in spite Of herself he had man
aged to perform some trifing service for her. If
she dropped her glove or fan. it was he who bent
20 pick it up. If she played tennis, it was he,
twice out of thrice who played with her, and
when he was within twenty yards OF her she
knew that his eyes watched her. and that il she
looked up she should meet them. and that they
would have the half pathetic. half angry appeal
or question in their depths which always 30 dis
turbed and amazed her. There was one habit OF
his which affected her more strongly than any
thing else. Sometimes she would find him
standing within few feet of her, neither speak
ing nor looking at her. He would stand 30,
knitting his black brows and bending his eyes
on the ground. until she felt sure he was about
to turn on her with some fierce question. and the
very air about him WAS full of silent speech.
She expected this question daily. and yet when at
length it came she was as much perturbed as if
she had not anticipated it at all.
She had been playing tennis on the Beverly
grounds one day and he had joined them with
his cousin and in pause of the game he stood
near her for some seconds in this manner. he
looked down at the grass and frowned and pulled
his mustache, and then suddenly turned and
looked at her.
"Wii you tell me why you hate meP he asked,
and flushed with excitement as he asked 1t. Nell
could not steady her voice as she answered him.
She could not steady her eyes or lips. She felt
tremor of quick agitation pass over her, and felt
that he must see it.
'No,r she said.
She knew he had seen the tremor and she was
for the moment thoroughly unhappy. His glance.
&c it rested upon her the next two seconds. was
at once wondering and reflective.
''But you do hate me- he said.
She did not speak.
''Yes he said, his temper manifestly rising,
''you hate me just as much as if--as If had done
something to you. And what have done2 You
won't tell me; but you will hate me- You may
call that justice if you like, but L"
He ended abruptly. For few seconds he
was silent He dragged at his mustache and
looked away with his great eyes shining. She
saw his big chest rise and fall unanimously.
She actually had the awful feeling that he had
been obliged to stop speaking to gain time to
control himself.
Presently he turned to her again.
''If you think will let it rest there" he said,
''you are wrong. II you won't tell me- some
one else will"
II never speak of you" said Nell, warming
herself, ito anyone
IAN such fellow as thati' he exclaimed,
'sthat you won't even condescend to utter my
namei"
Nell turned rather pale
EYES," she said.
1t cost her tremendous effort to say IL, but
abe said it bravely. It cost her more courage
sail to face him after she had said it. He looked
quite white. IIe met her eyes an instant as if
he had been struck dumb.
II don't think-I believed-it was quite so
bad as that he said, and walked away, with his
head dropping
AS she watched him go she felt utter misery
lie looked so unhappy. SO crushed, somehow as
If she had given him blow too cruel to be be-
heved in. He was so big; there was so much of
him to be wretched that it seemed as if he must
be more unhappy than a smaller man. 1t was
Ike seeing giant tremble.
sand yet" she said, what right had he to
resent anything-to feel anythiugl He is a
coward to speak to me of it, How dare he!"
But he dared great deal All the rest of the
afternoon there was look Of deadly determine
ton on his face She saw it when he plunged
into the game again, and it did not die out. She