The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-06-22

to Mrs. Leonard. Mrs. Leonard insisted
that it must he green fruit, and recon-
mended rhubarb; but Missy stoutiy
denied the green iruit, and so stoutly re-
jected the rhubarb. When the case was
discussed in the kitchen i: was decided
that Missy lad seen sign and all tile old
family servants shook their heads with
great solemnity.
At last Col. Thorne himself became I'M
easy and spoke of sending for the doctor.
1t was a dismal. rainy evening, after tea,
and the ladies were gathered around the
table in the parlor, Mrs. Leonard with
novel, Miss Eivira with Bishop Ken, Flora
with her embroidery. The Colonel sat
apart, feeling Missy's pulse and wonder
ing why Nicholas, who had gone to Talla-
hassee in the morning, was so late return
ing. Ii was then that ne declared his
intention of sending for DR.. Lane; where
upon Missy began 10 cry piteously and to
protest that she was not i'll.
What, then, is the maJter?" her father
demanded, with the sharpness OF anxiety.
Pm just mizzab e. sobbed Missy.
She looked so thin and worn, and her
childish voice sounded so shri anu weak,
that the colonel was moved To an un-
wonted demonstration OF tenderness. My
poor little daughter" said he, hold ng out
his arms. come TO me and tell me what
will make you happy2 You shall have
anything you ASK"
Missy threw herself upon his breast in a
paroxysm OF tears. "0h, my fatherl" she
walled, may have anvthing?"
Yes, Winifred, anything"
Then" said Missy, eagerly, promise,
promise now, that you won't never send
Brer Nicholas away no more"
The colonel smiled aud stroked her hair.
He understood it all now; Missy was ieal-
GUS. jealous of Flora. My dear child We
won't send him away, not |. at least" and
he glanced with a smile at Flora. whose
hands shook SO that she could hardly hold
her needle.
Not even il he was to be-married?"
pleaded Missy.
You must understand that when your
brother marries you will have gained a
sister" the colonel said. in his accustomed
tone of authority. Mssys jealousy oil
Flora was something to be smiled at-and
subdued.
And if he was to be married to Dosia
Furnival she would be my sister, pursued
Missy.
Flora uttered a low cry and hid her
face. She remembered now. and under
stood the knocking birds sudden and
startled fight from the thicket behind the
summer-house.
Mrs Thorne and Miss Elvira looked up
they doubted whether they had heard
Alright; the colonel doubted likewise; and
yet great dread seized him, in spite Of
his pride. in spite OF his will.
WHAT" he said, ut last with angry
emphasis, and pushed the child from him
roughly. What Internal nonsense il
this?" he demanded, as if of the room
at large; and then his gaze fixed itsel
upon Fora. 1t was the first black look
he had ever given her; but her face was
hidden, and she did not see il. "What
absur1ity have you been putting into the
child's head, Flora?" he said, severely
"a Jest OF this sort is simply scandAlous.'
"'Tain't her!" cried Missy, with shril
impetuosity. "Brer Nicholas il done mar
ried Already to Dosia-I heard him tel
/, my cousin Flora"
Nicholas at this instant entered tn,
room. Flora looked at him and saw tina
he had heard. His face was pale, but h'
did not finch.
at is lie" said the colonel. fiercely.
"0h, yes, Missy," quavered Miss Elvira
with an sgonizing thought Of Roxannt
/ Whites missive which she had not tn,
I courage TO show to her brother. "Yol
shouldn't be too ready to repeat what yoU
/ hear. Children cannot understand
/ every"
"Will you be silent?" Numbered tn,
colonel; then he strobe up TO his son, ant
repeated, with an oath, 1T is lie!"
at is the truth. father" said Nicholas
| "Dosia is nv vile"
Miss Elvira uttered a moan and wrun
her hands. Mrs. Thorne stared; she di
| ,ct ft,flw he as
F, Flora turned her face away; there wa
that in the eyes OF her uncle and he
cousin she could not endure to look upon
Now you see !" cried Missy, with shri
infantie triumph.
The colonel staggered as il he woul
have fallen; for an instant he could nc
speak, but when he did speak it was wit
a calmness more dreadful than any out
burst of fury.
"Get You gone," he said, contemplation
ly. "Never more ne son of mine"
Missy threw herself face downwar
upon the floor and walled
81 asked you to promised to promise !
No one needed her.
Father" said Nicholas, "hear, at leas
what / have to say"
"Out OF my sight" his father int
rupted, with cold, memorable sternnes
"Beg, steal, starve! Never darken thes
doors again"
Nicholas turned without another wore
and strobe from the room; whereupo
Missy whirled over and sat bolt uprigh
glaring defiance. "Then Pm going, too
she declared, and scrambled to her fe,
and rushed away.
No one needed her; she was but q chile
The colonel turned to Flora and held oil
his arms. any daughterw was all h
said. He did not know whether he WI
giving or asking comfort. And Flor
cared not what construction her unc
might put upon her tears.
Miss Eivira sat and moaned and wrun
her hands; there was no one to give b,
comfort.
"Weil, I never, never knew anythir
equal to this" said Mrs. Thorne, havir
found her tongue at last. Il shall new,
get over it, never" Having made tn
announcement, she uttered a series of Ii
: tie shrieks, and Miss Elvira ceased wrin
ing OF her helpless hands," and rose an
shut the door.
CHAPTER TX.
OLD GILBERT TO TIE RESCUE.