The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-02-24

other womans story-one which did not
concern her even remotely. Mrs. Roper's
patience was on the wane.
The Old man, 1 suppose. Mrs. Fawcett
] heard him telling the doctor something
about telegram which he showed Ran
too sudden. Both men seem awfully cut
up about il"
What pity it isn't truew
Marianne laughed aloud, a short, dis
cordant, mirthless laugh, as she uttered
those bitter words. Mrs. Roper stared In
her turn.
Her lodger had flung her hands outward
with gesture OF impatient despair, and
now beating them slowly together almost
as though she were undergoing some sharp
physical agony.
80 this is the outcome. This is what
comes of having high ideals and trying to
force other people to live up to them.
How many lives have L ruined?"
Bewildered Mrs. Roper failing utterly
to comprehend this wild outbreak. but
catching the words of a strange question,
answered stupidity:
MY dear, you don't look as il you'd ever
ruined anybody's life. What does all you,
Mrs Fawcett2'
Marianne brought her eyes back to the
little black figure in the chair before her.
81 think will 60 to him, Mrs. Roper, at
once"
go to who?"
"To Randall-your brother-my hus-
band"
Randall Mackaye your husband?"
"Yes."
"And-then you're not dead, after all.
Why, how -"
Marianne raised her hand imperiously.
She would make her explanation at once,
and then not to Mrs. Roper.
NO doubt you will soon know all there
is to know, Mrs. Roper. At PRESENT.
must 20 to Randall and to father"
Mrs. Roper laid OBTAINING hand on her
arm as she got uD from her chair.
Did you and Ran have a falling out,
Mrs -"
call me Marianne. We are sisters-in-
law, you know"
eyes. and l always did feel drawn
toward you-but was there no divorce, my
dear?"
None"
Marianne wrenched herself free and
went away to get her bonnet and wrap.
Mrs. Roper looked after her gravely.
This was not quite so grand a thing as
marrying Jeanne LenOx would have been.
but as sure as her name was Rebecca
Roper she was going to let that sweet girl
know how she had been duped. It made
her honest cheeks burn Tor shame, to
think that Randall could have grown up
into that sort of man.
She was standing on the stoop waiting
for Marianne. They left the house to-
gether
Did you and Ran have falling out,
dear?"
No, not MS you mean it. 1 made mis-
take. / believed that he would make a
position for himself easier and quicker
without me than with me. L meant to
leave him unhampered for his work. l
believe was more ambitious for him than
he was for himself"
"Unhampered for his work Unham-
pered for his deviltry you mean. My dear,
don't YOU know that men like Ran need
to be driven to work. l used to have to
drive him to school. Yes, YOU made big
mistake. He'll get we'll fast enough now,
but"
"But what2"
Nothing. Only do get him I'D and
away as soon as possible. My head s
dizzy with ell this excitement. l never
was as near daft in my born days. II 1
don't spoil the next dozen dresses L cut
out 1t will be a special providence pre-
venting"
AS Marianne walked slowly by her side
toward the studio, she realized for the
first time how heavy was the yoke she
was about TO assume once more. Her
footsteps Jagged. Her heart made no
plea for the sick man lying yOnder. She
was going back to her duty by him; that
was all.
In the bitter self-analvsis which had
formed her chief occupation during the
somber hours of her lonely life, she had
said over and over again, in pitiful sort
of self-defense: 81 did love him.
loved him with all my pure, young. girlish
heart; but he killed it with his selfishness,
killed it with his arrogant acceptance of
my all as his simple due. And this is
what it has brought as to y"
She drew back when they reached the
studio door. 1t was closed. They could
hear a murmur of voices inside.
"Send father to me ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
him-Randall-for my coming. l must
see father first. Just tell him a lady wants
to see him."
She turned from the door behind which
Randall lay, and, walking to the farthest
end of the long corridor, stood looking out
upon the square. The years first flakes of
snow were sitting softly earthward through
the leaiiess branches of the trees. What
a sad. gray, old world it was
She heard slow, shufiling step coming
along the corridor. Then she turned and
ran toward the feeble old man who was
tottering toward her. Her arms were
about his neck, and her tears were raining
on his cheeks, before he had fairly COM
pretended what had happened.
Il wanted to see you first. father; you
alone. l wanted to beg your pardon for
all that have made you suffer. / did
not know until half-and-hour ago what
you had endured, father-my patient,
precious father"
1T has been hard, darling, hard but L
thought | was being punished for the
way l treated you that last night, my
sweet. But, thank God I've got you
back, got you back"
He was stroking the head that lay on
his shoulder with his trembling old hand.
Her words of endearment were poured
close into his ears. Yes. it was sweet
sweet to be in each others arms again.
"But what did Lockhart mean, honey :?
Such a positive telegram as it was. too
No wonder it moved Ran and me down."
Marianne raised her head and pushed
her hair back with a weary gesture.
1T was mistake, father-one more
mistake. Everything is a mistake. Don't
you think So father?"
Eyes, dearie at least it looks that way
sometimes. But this particular mistaken"