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

watched her niece with hard line about her
mouth. for there was something in. the pretty
face and volatile temperament that turned Miss
Penelopes comfortable sadness to gall
That is Malcolm Dunston, The richest
man in Rothmere" Miss judith added. She had
lyon don't saw sol Then il viii be worth
while 10 go for him, Eve cried.
There was a moment of supor. during which
Aunt Penelope smiled with
IF You mean marry himP Miss judith re-
torted
Marry whornq What are you talking aboutl'
and in came Miss Sarah.
Eve means to marry Malcolm Dunston,n
Miss Pepiope exclaimed with sharp laugh
Aupt Sarah stared. then pulled her spec
girl, anu she silently acknowledged
her loneliness With sinking heart
Marry himl" she cried with INDIGNATION, HE
isn't the man for every chit Better girls than
you have tried it,
Miss Mac ilvane, jr., offended.
$50 you hink it's hard 10 fall in love with
me? There, You really don't know. Why, I
have offer week at home on average.
but here's Chance" she cried with bravado.
First he shall fall in love with me. and then"
she opened the door and looked back at them
with undutifu; defiance, "he shall marry mo-"
Having so to speak. flung down the gauntlet.
Eve sea mpered upstairs and left the three old
women staring at each other in speechiess con-
sternation.
"Poor Jacinth!" Miss Penelope broke the
silence.
For Jacinth's sake, Aunt Sarah said; ST
think we'd better send her home as soon as pos
sible After all he is only a man" Miss Sarah
had very poor opinion of mem, stand there is
no knowng-f we can only keen Malcolm
away" she cried, interrupting herself land he
is the only man who ever does come here,
think she will be ready to 60"
The monotonous days passed. and poor
Eve much like the Ladv of Shalott.
with the difference that any Lancelot
positively welcome. Her airy attempts at con-
citation were met by crushing disapproval; her
vanity was hurt and even the impulslve heart
that really did beat beneath the gigantic nose
gays with which she loved to deck herself It
the necessity of her nature to make i'm
preston some one, and at last she was
duceo to flirting with the ancient gardener. AS
he wholly deaf and half blind. she found,
one day, nothing left for her to do but to lean
the hedge and stare MP and down the road.
Then, IL defaultof other amusement. she opened
the gate and stroiled down the road into
known regions. sheltered from the sun by huge
japanese parasol of fiamboyant colors.
Rothmere still barbarous and. while Eve
was only conscious that sh. was making a really
very pretty picture she was reused from con-
buried in honey-suckes and roses by most di-
abolcal ''whoopi" and the next minute she
surrounded by a lot of dirty ragamufins who
greeted her umbrella with derision.
Miss Macilvaine was coward. $50
away, you little wretches!" she cried.
with stamp of her foot, but that
effected only another ''whoop," Eve, holding her
umbrella as q shield. made q regular on
slaueht when of sudden it was torn from her
grasp and the next instant it was borne tri-
umphantly down the street.
She looked about helplessly
why, Miss Macilvaine. what has happened?"
1t was Malcolm, who had come upon her from
a side path, and she had not heard the sound of
his horses hoofs.
He swung himself down from the saddle while
she explained; and throwing the mares bride
over his arm he walked beside Miss Macilvane
aud listened with rather absent-minded amuse-
ment to her chatter.
Aunt Sarah, trimming the roses about the
porch. them coming. and stood rooted to the
spot Eve tripped towards her.
"Such lovely walk I've had with Mr..
Dunston, Aunt Sally. He says mis- sisters are
coming to call and am to go there to play
tenns;" and Eve ran ND stairs singing with her
clear young voice till Miss Sarah bounced down
the porch steps and put her fingers in her
Now there's a about she'll never CO."
she groaned, gifted if with the power of
prophecy But in few weeks it was not of
poor solitary man that the old women COM
planned, but of what they were pleased to call
'hordes of men,
One afternoon Miss Sarah, opening the
sittingr room door, turned into stone upon
the spot. In the Misses Macilvaiue's sacred
chairs reposed three young men at whom
curly lashes Three men, where only
Malcolm dared to enter.
''Mr. Plearkins, is it parish business9" Aunt
Sarah demanded grimly, recovering herself.
The wretched young curate turned purple to
the very roots of his sandy hair. and the others,
one from the circulating library and the other
him company.
'.And suppose you, SIR" and she elared at
the first, ''have come about the book club"
Then she closed like steel trap ON the apothe-
cary's young man. you'll excuse me- sir, if I
can't imagine why are here!"
Then up sprang Eve. They calling on
II beg your pardon. gentlemen; this is an
American custom. / WAS not aware of the
fashion Old people and old customs fool
ish no doubt You'll excuse me, I'm sure.
Pray and don't let me hurry you; good morn
ing" Miss Sarah concluded with much irony,
and out she stalked.
The truth is it did hurry them, and they de-
parted as if they had been shot out of
Eve took long breath as Plearkinss clerical
coat tails disappeared.
place! Why did ever come! Oh, if I
only at home again" She ran out of the house
slamming the DOORS and leaning over the hedge
she stared at the river through haze of angry
tears.
why, Miss Eve. am I always to find you in
troubled" at the sound of the steady, grave
voice, she dashed her tears away and forced a
smile.
IF everybody hated you and you hated every
body, you'd be in trouble Mr. Dunston"
What has happened nowF he asked, per-
picked at the footing of warfare upon which the
Misses Macilvaine stood with regard to their
niece.
s.Were you coming inw she asked needless of
the question.
well, TO tell the truth, no. I was only stroll
ing by"
ask me to take a walk"
II shall be only too glad. There is Miss
Sarah; / will talk TO her while you fetch your
wraps"
81 sometimes feei" Eve said to Malcolm
they left the house. las if should die of bad
ness up there. They act Hke-like
plaster-well, perhaps it is for my good to have
the badness drawn out"
The three old women, with unspeakable dis
may, watched them until they disappeared down
the road.
For moment Eve silent. but at last the
signs of conflict smoothed themselves ont of her
face and she looked up with her old smile.
do you think / very horrid, Mr.
DunstonP
She was rather afraid of him, and she airily
enjoyed the emotion.
You may lay it up against me if tell you
what think of you"
What an idea"
1.-THE truth is, perhaps you are little SELFISH