The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-20
waiting for an answer he left the


room.
We looked at each other and laughed.
THAT is just what hoped he would do"
said Miss Weldon. Il have had all the
Good" i cried. throwing off my over.
coat: IL feared l might have to persuade
THAT is really absurd she said, "as If
the storm and Major Pendallas were not
quite enough"
In five minutes Miss Weldon had been
carried off By the beaming Mrs. Bardsley.
while Major Pendallas conducted me to q
bedroom on the ground floor. In which l
found cracking wood fire. The house
was a large one and seemed to be lighted
from top to bottom.
We sat down to big. round supper-table.
and. mi ght have been expected, the meal
was bountlful, hot and most grateful and
CHEEKY 10 the two storm beaten travellers,
who had eaten nothing since breakfast ex-
cept an unattractive luncheon on the train.
Our host did most of the talking and We
were well content to have HIM do 1t.
"You cannot imagine" he burst out, as
soon as we were seated, "how glad am to
spend this Christmas eve absolutely alone,
and j should have felt that for never did
anything of the kind before. and from a
boy l have thought more OF Christmas eve
than of Christmas day. There is
less Of q strain in it. On Christ, ct,
ought to be awfully jolly. because If you
don't. you won't have another chance for q
year. On Christmas eve ono can be jolly
without thinking Of il. If there are any
shortcomings they can be made mp the
next day. Last year my niece was with
me, and we had plenty company. but now
she's married and cleared ont. utterly.
Gone to Europe with her husband. and in
tends to stay there.
But the storm has been good to me.
n aTxsx ~f 81 oh
sir, and some butter. This Is Christmas
butter. especially made from the cream of
two cows. both granddaughters of the
great Cavalier George"
The Majors anticipation of truly jolly
Christmas eve was lnterfered with by Miss
Weldon, who declared, shortly after
o'clock, that she was so fatigued by her
days experiences that she would be obliged
to bid US good night When she had gone
the Major and each lighted cigar and
Il can't help being disappointed" said
he. for intended to get up lot of games
and have Mrs. Bardsley and her daughter
in. They are very respectable people. and
at Christmas time We always have them Ill
at the games. But bed is the best place for
Miss Weldon, after what she has pulled
through this day. And | am so rejoiced to
have you both in the house that l shan't
grumble. 1t doesn't matter In the least
that when the sun set to-day had never
| L
you are. and you know who am-at least
Miss Weldon knows-and that's enough"
But you don't know me-" said.
Indeed do" be exclaimed. shaping one
of his spreadO ont knees and leaning toward
me. II know you In the best kind of way
have one of your pictures. Now don't 90
and say you are not the artist, Henry IT,
Ashmead."
81 am that man." replied.
II didn't doubt it," said the. Major. lean:
ing back In his chair. You look like ii.
am a bachelor, sir, and it takes a good
deal to keep that sort of q man content and
easy in his mind. Pictures aud books help
a lot in that way, and i make 1t point
every year to buy a good picture. l got
one of yours last fall. and ! am very fond
of looking at 1t. Come with me and III
show 1t to YOU"
The Major then preceded me to a medium
sized room in the front OF the house, which
he called his reading-roon.
1T isn't study" said he. "for never
study. and it isn't library. for 1t hasn''
books enough for that, but tits as good @
room to read in as know. fine light
and always cool in the summer-there il
the picture" and he held up lamp before
one Of my large landscapes.
claimed.
"Yes he did. but he's been hard up lately
and had to soil OF part of his collection.
snapped up that as soon as saw il. There
are things In that picture that you seldom
see in paintings. That's timothy grass il
that mellow, and cut about the end o.
Juno would make hay worth about $50
ton. It's ready to cut now" said he, "an(
from the looks of the leaves on the trees
and the size of those MULLEN plants.
should say 1t was in juno that you took Ii.
Il made my studies in june" said.
Good" he cried. II knew IL. There's NJ
nonsense about that meadow, such as yol
would see in most pictures. No bushes an,
struggling briers. or patches of red clover
and orchard grass. l am q straight forw arr
and practical man. and / like a straight
forward and practical picture. OF cOurs
you couldn't help the daisies, and no NOR
can in my own meadows.
Now then" said he, when we wer,
again before the fire, lyon can see for our
self how / know you. and / can tell yor
that 1t delights me to have in my house tn,
man who painted that picture. After