The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-25

send You check, 80 that yop cannot have any
excuse for not coming"
The letter fell in her lap, and for moment
her heart leaped with joy at the thought Of see-
ing them all again, and perhap3-why notf-see-
ing him once more, and for moment she grew
faint and dizzy with longing Then came the
awakening
Deliberately she placed before herself her
faded imag with the touch of her fore
head; the prim lines of her gray gown, the dawn
of old maidhood, to which she surrendered with
out a struggle
''If should see him again and love him. for
am weak. so weak! Oh Jacinth, what is
there in you that he should care fort Old even
for your age, and careworn, ard faded. Better,
you poor thing, the quiet of your daily life,
looking forward to no hope, than such unbeara-
bic pain"
For moment she sat quite still, when Of
sudden she saw one OF her sisters gloves lying
the floor Why not. Eve instead of herselta
Was she not as much Aunt Sarah's niecel To
transplant her out of six.buttoned. ragged ex-
istance, into the purity and peace of Rothmere,
would be worthy of any sacrifice.
''She is so pretty" Jacinth thought with fond
admiration, just as the door few open and Eve
skipped in.
There ii Isl" she cried and picked up the lost
glove; them giving shake to her founces, pre-
pared TO skip out once moro.
Eve. wait moment; want to speak to
You"
Il just can't wait, for promised to walk in
the cemetery"
but poor in purse, tokens of their devotions
were mostly confined to these 4ugubrIous strolls;
when they did not take the form of ice cream
MY dear" Jacinth said putting her arm
about her sister. would you like TO go TO Scot
land vistF'
''Do they really want me, old girl7 Eve cried
In glow of delight. Then Jacinth explained
that she hardly cared to go ICED forgive her fb),
AMI Eve should go in her stead if father and
mother were willing.
"Oh, they'll let me co." Eve cried in rapture.
and scampered toward the door. But she
reached 1t she back and flung her arms
about Jacinth and gave her affectonate dab
of a in an6 eaa
these words: My dear, it's being too
good in this world. It's nice for others, but it's
bad for yourself Folks take it for granted after
a while. and don't even thank you-' Then. with
a parting hug. she added: You're a dear old
thing, and of course I'll go. know your giving
il up for me, and l accept it At the door she
looked back. ANY fellows to dirt with in Roth
mereq Good gracious, forgot They must
have been babies in your time. Now III go and
fellows about should die OF nothing but old
women"
So Eve disappeared, and Jacinth. looking out
into the shabby street and seeing nothing, felt
that she also, had taken fate into her
hands
Time, that ruthless joker, had, in spite of his
bad character, dealt tenderly during the past
ten years with the old ladies of Rothmere. To
be sure, he had turned Aunt Sarah's hair quite
white; he had given Miss Judith q twinge of
rheumatism, but he had left Aunt Penelope her
crumb of tender grief, and fondness for soft
gray wooden gowns aud dainty lace caps.
The long quaint house was still the same the
entaugled the sprightly legs of the weather-cock
atop that this cOnstitutionally unreliable bird
had settled himself permanently due south.
About the house was a subdued air of welcome
and festivity, and the opening of the distant
kitchen door sent delicious whiffs through the
old-fashioned hall.
The Misses Macilvaine sat in their usual
placas, trying to work, but they gave it up and
looked expectantly out of the WIND ows, where
the sunlight fell on the soft green lawn. Miss
Penelope spoke.
II wonder if she is much changed? She
has had hard life, and at thirty-'
II can't understand Miss Judith interrupted
irriEabiy, 'why she did not write to say that she
coming by the next steamer. Sarah sug-
gested. 1t was thoughtless! She may not be
coming at all"
81 am sure she will come" Miss Sarah said,
with decision. 81 said 60 Malcolm last
night"
MARK my words, Sarah, you're making ter
rible mistake If ten years ago Malcolm made
mistake, and made Jacinth unhappy don't you
help him to do IL again. Do you believe that
Malcolm Dunston, good-looklng aud rich, with
half the girls of the county running after him
do you believe he will fall in love again with the
poor child after all these years. Do you believe
he will fall in love with her again, when, ten
years ago, when she was young and pretty he
could let her go without word or a promise9 Is
it natural, Sarahp
signing But he loved her once, and believe
in his faithful heart, for we know why he did
not speak"
s.Nonsensel Believe in bis hddle-siick
What right have youl When he should
have spoken he was as dumb oyster.
Lord he's only for money making-hes always
calculating. He's been at il now for ten years
without stopping. / tell you, Sarah"
Down the road at that moment came the rat
tie of wheels, and Miss Sarah sprang to her feet.
GOD bless her, it's Jacinth," she said, and the
next instant she was down the garden path, her
spectacles bobbing up and down her
The ancient cab which served Rothmere drew
up at the gate. and the first sounds that greeted
Miss Sarah's Mortified ears choice selection
of swear words" as the cabby wrestled with
gigantic trunk atop. Then, 10 cap Miss Sarah's
SURPRISE there stepped out of the vehicle a super
elegant youth with an eye glass. who. in turn,
helped out young person in an astonishing
toilette. She threw her about the strug-
Cling MISS Sarah and imprinted kiss upon the
end of that good womans nose.
Heaven preserve usl who you2" she
gasped, freeing herself
Good gracious me. if didn't forget" Miss
Mac;lvaine. jr., said arily. Ppm Eve, aunt and
I'll tell you all about it. You see, pa forgot to
post Jacinth's letter, and so l brought it my
SELF"
''And who is that?" and Miss Sarah turned
severely the young
"Oh, that is Mr.. Merivale," Eve 1nterposed.
quickly. 81 believe have the name right9"
she asked, with graceful turn of her head to
the supercilious starer "Hes been very good
''Where did you meet my niece. sir?"
'In the cars, coming from Glasgow. aunty."
Eve again interposed, land so I just asked him
to drive up here"
For moment Aunt Sarah was staggered.
then she collected all her strength. and in
ment the young with the eye-glass. the
rickety cab and the swearing cabby had disap-
peared as chaff before the wind, and Eve, calm
ly seated on her trunk, listened with a faint
smile to the angry old lady.
"A heart of gold. loving and generous-only
little spoiled. which will be all the better for
your kind and gentle words" So Jacinth wrote,
and the three discussed, with many sigh, as
they sat about the fire.
Eve was upstairs emptying the amaz-
ing trunk, keeping up her sinking spirits
by whistling-very well done. too-that
sent a shudder through the involunta ry listeners
below
The sitting-room was deserted when Eve
coming down. opened the door with a propitia-
tory smile on Der pretty face. The smile died
away. and for the first time. perhaps, in her
life the quick tears rushed to her eyes.
With stamp of her foot, she dragged Aunt
Sarah's sacred chair TO the fire and threw herself
with much spite into its wicker embrace.
4 - lAc