The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-04
UNDER THE NAPLES;
Or, the Test of Character.
a Story Of Village Life
w "A L 7 E r N. H II NJ a N.
~ Story Of Village Life


| seen there before.
"No, Mr.. Lorraine" he said resolutely,
Il leave her In hands that will provide
for her lar better than ever did or ever
! CAN"
You must not go like this; we don't
know your address; she will never for
give mew exclaimed the gentleman,
grasping Ira's arm and OBTAINING him.
For moment he wsyered then he
shook himself tree and looking appealing
! ly at the grandfather, he said: Don't
urge me; l may never see you or BABE
again. but if YOU only knew how wildly
love her, YOU would not ask me to stay"
And he was gone out into the night
How he loves Babel" said Mr.. Lorraine
in amazement. ''Why, docs he love two
girls?" For some moments he was con-
fused, but the truth gradually dawned
upon his keen mind. He ran to the out
side door and out into the storm. the
young man had disappeared.
Soon after midnight Babe returned and
ran into the house in great excitement
To her surprise Mr. Lorraine was up and
waiting for her, and as she entered caught
he in his arms and fOndly kissed her.
She saw how agitated ne was and that his
eyes were wet with tears. She was amazed
and Grstifed by his unusual emotion.
''Why, Mr.. Lorraine, how did you hear
of it?' che exclaimed.
Hear OF what, my childP he asked,
looking down at the radiant but puzzled
lace that he still held fast.
"Whv, Sam Speckels has confessed that
he fell asleep. and that Nancy got out of
the room and fired the store just as she
thought she dreamed it" cried the girl
Babe come here" he cried, and he
led the wondering girl TO his room.
There is your mothers marriage GER
tiicate, and there is her mothers mar
riage certificate; be cain and strong, my
child, and read them"
Babe read them through and looked at
him speeches..
yes, Babe, 1t is truel Your mother
was my daughter"
"Oh, Mr.. Lorraine -" screamed the
girl.
Mr.. Lorraine no more,' he interrupted,
Grandpa now" and he folded her again
in his arms.
After the excitement of this added sur
prise had In measure passed away, she
said; why, grandpa. where did you find
the papers"
Mr.. Lorraine had forgotten Ira. He
started. "Why, then Ira did not fire the
store" he exclaimed.
NO, no, he was innocent all the
time"
Great heavens, Babe he told me so
that night he was at my house when he
escaped. Babe" he slowly continued as
the whole truth flashed upon him. IRA
has never been crazy he thinks YOU set
that fire, and he has suffered TO shield
you"'
"Why should he do that ?" cried the
girl, eagerly.
Because he loved you So"
No. grandpa, he loves Laura" she
sobbed.
My child, that is where we are all mis-
taken. 1t is not Laura that he loves, it is
YOU he told me so tonight"
Tonight. has he been here? where is
he?' she asked, springlng away from him.
''He was here, he brought these papers
lie could not bear 20 see you. l think he
imagines you are TO marry Arthur"
she stared fxedly at her grandfather.
The wild light in her eyes changed. One
by one she went over the circumstances.
lie must have known OF Arthnr's medi-
tated proposal to her. She too saw it all
now, clearer than did her grandfather.
She began putting on her hat and cloak.
Babe. dear, you must not 20 out in this
Storm" he pleaded. You don't know
where he is. will send personal to the
Herald" But the girl did not heed him.
She got the lantern and lit it.
Grandpa" she said firmly, 81 am
going to find him; you must not come, l
can find him best alone" and she kissed
him and passed out, and there was some
thing in her manner that warned Mr.
Lorraine that he must not try to stop her.
Ira sat on the low, rude bench in Fit
ter cave; his elbows rested on his knees
and his troubled face was clasped in his
hands, as was his habit in childhood. Am
at last really growing crazy?" he ex-
claimed; al never used to have such fan
cies. thought heard Babes voice calling
melt would be strange if after all
1 ended my days in mad house," He
sighed YEARLY. From this night L
must try and forget Babe. am glad l
found those papers, her life will be
pleasant one now" Again he sighed,
thoughts, arose and walked restlessy
about the stone-hoored chamber He
stopped at the tunnel and peered out into
the blackness. How the rain pours. |
wonder If it won't stop at daybreak, 1
must 20 before then" and he started out
to the entrance.
He stood outside and gazed up into the
sky. The night was still overhung with
black masses Of Clouds but the storm was
| breaking The rain still fell heavily but
the wind had died down.
"Stubby, o, Stubby! Where are YOU ?"
came wailing call from down the ravine.
1t was not imagination-it was her
voice
Here Babe, here" he shouted loudly
! and clambered recklessly down the dan
| eerous place.
babe, how came you here?" he asked
| the drenched and almost fainilng girl.
ooh, Stubby! my lantern blew out and
] couldn't find the cave. L knew you
| would be there, but l got by it"
I'VE must 90 there 10 the lire, child out
/ of the storm. You must be wet through"
! And, partly carrying her they reached the
/ cave with great exerlion.
Ira took OF her hat and cloak and I'M
| buttoned her soaking shoes, and put them
/ by the blazing heat. Her hand was
! bruised and bleeding and her sleeve torn
/ by fail. He tore up his handkerchief
/ and tenderly bandaged the wound.
"Are you faint" he asked.
No, will be all right alter | am rested
( little. guess / Was more frightened
than hurt, because | thought | was lost"
aud she smiled aud blushed Presently
she looked NJ, and there was n CLEAN of
/ tenderness and affection in those usually
/ dancing eyes that made lra's heart swell.
! lie could nor bear il. He walked over to
| where the shoes Law and nervously changed