The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-10-02
CHAPTER II.

1nat evening l0ddles Is nlmSeII again,
and the life and soul of the mess
CHAPTER II.
Toddles-big, happy, and handsome,
with smile on his face and flower In
his buttonhole-
He is the first object on which Mans
| eyes rest as she enters the drawing-room,
where everybody is assembled and waiting
dinner.
you herew she exclaims, stretching a
welcoming hand toward him.
| Delightful-isn'tit For me, ] mean"
says Toddles, in his usual jerking fashion.
Jack did not tell me that he was bring
ing you. He said friend" pulling
/ thoughtfully at a curl of her hair.
81 hope he considers me that, Mr.
| Chesney observes, with an air of modesty.
"Oh, yes, of course! 1t was funny of
him never mentioningyour name, though,
| for you are friend of mine, too"
There is a melting tenderness in Tod
! dies Irish blue eyes as they meet hers.
81 hope / shall always be that-and
more"
A small smile is lurking round the
corners OF Mans mouth; she looks up at
| him darkly, sweetly, then drops her eye
lids as though to veil her secret thoughts.
Toddle's heart stands still and trembles.
/ Oh if they two had been alone in this
hour of their meeting, he might have
summoned courage to tell her of his love
cast the hazard of his die-and been
rendered either happy or miserable for
ever.
Toddles is an Irshman and prone TO
exaggeraton but that he is earnest for
/ once in his life there can be no doubt.
Nan moves away to speak to Jack, who
has been watching her coquetry with
amusement, and just particle of vexa-
ton.
lie does not wish Gilbert Chesney to
be made a fool OF by his cousin he is too
good for that
Dinner is long affair, and half the
length OF the table separates Mr.. Chesney
from Nan. Ills parter, finding him
"heavy on hand" abandons the task OF
entertaining him, and contents herself
with stolen glanees every now and then at
his straight aud pensive profile
Toddes eats little, drinks little, and is
apparently lost i'm thought.
"Got something on his mind, reflects
his disappointed partner. 81 shall ask
Dusty about him."
Dusty" is Captain Roberts, and her
cousin.
His account of Gilbert Chesney, de-
livered later on, at her especial request,
is an unsatisfactory one.
"Toddles2 aw-yes. Know him, OF
course. Awiully good Sort but deuced
uncertain. Going TO ride three OF my
horses on. Thursday. Splendid jockey
handicapped by weight"
Men view their sex from such curious
level standpoint, and women find this dis
appointing sometimes.
"What was the matter with you during
/ aaba AIp haF
they are seated side by side in the draw
ing-room later on.
Nothing"
"You looked so-cross."
"Did /? Whata brute | am" with sud
den conjunction. 81 was vexed because
some other fellow had the pleasure of TAX
ing you TO dinner"
"Was that all? Didn't you like Miss
Robarts, then ?' with an air of bewilder-
ing innocence.
Toddles laughs
II am afraid that I didn't pay any at
tention to her" he admits frankly.
"Oh! but you should have done. She
is prime favorite with everybody here"
'Really?"
eyes" nodding her fair head emphatic
ally. Perhaps you had better go and
talk to her now to make up for lost time.
Will your"
"No, won't" replies Toddles, with a
flash of obstinate humor, unless you
want to get rid of me. Do you ?"
A devilish spirit of mischief enters the
girl she turns her head away from him,
saving in a low voice: even if did,
should hardly like to tell you So"
Then, receiving no answer to this speech
she looks round to find the seat beside
her vacated-and Toddles gone.
He does not approach her again during
the evening, but stands aloof, looking the
picture of digniied misery.
Nancys heart makes merry over this
new conquest of hers. Like many very
young women she is cruel in the affairs
of love. The sufferings of an animal in
pain would, at any time, wiring tears from
her lovely eyes, while a lovers despair
affords her only a cruel pleasure.
IL is the last remnant of the savage lin
gering in woman's breast, and not ali the
refinements OF civilization have proved
efficient as yet to abolish it.
Capt. Hardness, who is indulging in n
desutory filtration with the youngest and
loveliest married woman in the room, a
Mrs. Helfrie by name, has yet found leisure
to observe the progress OF his friends
courtship, his sharp eyes detecting the
'1ittle rift within the lute' almost as
|
81 say, Mrs. Helirie, can you tell me
why it is that your sex SO dearly loves to
play with edged tools2'' he inquiries apro-
pos OF nothing apparently.
She laughs
els it because our vanity blinds us to
the edge2'
For three days Toddles alternates be-
tween hope and despair. Surely, il the
girl loved him she would be kinder; and
then, Just as he has made up his mind
that his suit Is hopeless one, some little
action or gesture of Mans restores peace
and confidence within his breast
This morning a riding psrty had been
arranged; and Miss Hardness, Toddles,
and few others are lingering In the great
hall, awaiting the arrival of their gees.
You will permit me 20 be your escort
this morning. won't youf" Toddles whis-
pers hurriedly. fearing lest some cruel
chance should we .e girl from him at
the last moment
She looked up with mischievout
smile.
"whatl when there are two men to
every lady7p
Toddles' face falls.
! Tomorrow Is my last DAY here. Please