The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-09-04

JnOug0 L KNOW so 0Ltl6 OF the ways OF
women that it has never occurred to her
to think OF these things for herself. He
takes some interest in science. Hetty may
not like him so well on that account.
Poor Young thingn said her guardian
rather sadly, 81 am afraid she has had
more than enough of that kind of thing
here. No, young Warrington is steady
and intelligent, but he is not so likely to
be the subject of a girls fancy as the
other. He is little too quiet, | take it.,
and would serve to remind her of us, and
j have already been careless enough of the
poor child's happiness"
He rose from the table and closed a
book lying open before him, and for mo-
ment Mr.. Rochester looked ten years
older lined, and careworn, and pale. And
then, with an irrepressible sigh, he went
slowly out of the room.
1t was an April morning, sweet and
fresh. The sunshine gave even his dull
dining-room some brightness. 1t made
quite a radiance around Hetty. who was
sitting in the window seat gazing absently
out, some work untouched in her lap, and,
as the professor entered, he was struck by
a certain wistfulness in the girls face. 1t
was all true. Rachel, with a woman's
better knowledge of woman. had reached
the truth of the case. Little Hetty was a
child no longer. She had turned into a
woman, and he, wrapped up in musty
books, had been idly content to let her
brighten his life and his sisters. He had
not done his duty by the child. What
would poor Phillimore say ii he could
come back again. But be would repair
his fault
Looking out at the sunshine, Hetty,
he said, taking a chair near her. The
light dazzled him little; his eyes were
not so Young as hers, and he had tried
them considerably of late years. But
Hetty-it would have taken a strong
light, be thought, as he looked at her, TO
dazzle those bright childish eyes, clear and
undimmed
yes" said Hetty simply. A tinge of
melancholy in her voice reached the pro-
fessor's ear, suddenly grown keen. He
moved his chair little, so that the light
did not shine so strongly in his face, and
looked at her wistfully.
What a pretty creature she was; how
fresh and engaging like rose dropped
by some careless hand in a dusty and dim
library. He wondered vaguely if all young
girls had such child-like ways about them,
such adorablv pretty upward glances,
Yes he should miss her terribly, the house
would be another place without her.
81 have been thinking, Hetty, the pro-
lessor began and paused, embarrassed, at
a loss for words.
yes; that is what you generally are
occupied in doing" said Miss Hetty de-
murely. There was the least little sparkle
OF mischief in her eyes.
We'll, perhaps so; too much, am
afraid, returned the professor, trifle
surprised. Il have forgotten a good many
things, wrapped up in my books-my
duty among others, and my duty to you,
Hetty, in particular. Rachel tells me you
are two-and-twenty."
twenty-five last month"
''Twenty-twoi And you were a child
only yesterday! Surely it was but the
other day that YOU were running about
the house in short frocks! It seems i'm
possible" CALCULATED the poor professor
sadly.
What seems impossible That should
ever grow up?"
ct has seemed impossible to me. I an
afraid, while you have been growing W
all the time. 1t was only that my eyes
were dull. my dear; you are not really c
child-now."
"No," Hetty rejoiued, gravely and qui
city; it smote her guardian with pang
How much, indeed, must he have neg
lected her when young girl could speak
so seriously-almost sadly. Well. he
would not be neglectful any more.
"You are outgrowing us, my DEAR" he
said gently, taking her hand in his in g
| fatherly, il somewhat wistful, manner
You need something brighter anC
| younger in your life. There is only one
| thing | have no cause to reproach myself
| with; have never refused invitations fol
you, and you have had good many oppor
tunities of seeing young people of your
own age. What you need is to live among
| them, to have companionship. ] want K
see you happy, Hetty."
Thank you" she reioined. The pro
| lessor, listening anxiously, felt a curiou
contraction of the heart. 1t was all true
then; she accepted his statements as fact
she had long ago recognized it in her owl
mind as such.
II have been thinking a great deal o
you, my dear, since Rachel pointed thi
4 out to me; and, as feel myself to be yer,
ignorant, have been reading as we'll a
thinking Shall / tell you the result o
my studies?"
Hetty's pretty lips were curved.
"Oh, certainly" she returned CURLY
with very slight pretense at interest.
1T appears to be universally agree,
that, in all ages of the world, Hetty
| woman finds her proper sphere, the rount
of duty most congenial to her, the happi
est, fullest life" said the professor, simply
dropping for the moment the more book
ish phrases, Sin the home-in marie,
life, my dear"
He had uttered it now; he had sup
gested the parting with her that woul,
leave the house empty. Yes, quite empty
never to be young and bright, and sun
shiny any more. He had begun to be wei
aware, by this time, that all the sunshin
would go with her. But he had done hi
duty; and it might be that she did no
care so much for the life he had allude,
to as others OF her sex.
"What doyou think about it, my child Z?
he asked, for Hetty had not yet responded
and slight giddiness had come over tn
professor, as he told himself, he was no
used to changes.
Il think" said Hetty, with suddel
lovely, overwhelming flush of color. and
after one sunny, willful glance at him
with downcast eyes, that your philoso
pliers, for once. are right"
There was short silence. II am sorry
my DEAR" said the professor, patiently
breaking it at last, that this kind of thin
never occurred to me before; | did no
know you were not happy here"
II am happy | have always been happ,
hereW cried Hetty, Indignantly, and tears
half of remorse, half of vexation, stoo,
IN her brown eyes. ''It was only that vo
1 cofI that xvO,, fhouo,bt tbot #.