The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-24
A WAY TILT She KNEW MOI
ATHaNKsGIyING STORY.

The crisis in Mrs. wayne's life reached
her, without warning, in the midst of
stupid. commonplace day.
It usually happens so. The supreme mo-
merts of life come to us heralded by no
signs OF wonders. The soul. when it is TO
be tried, 10 conscious of no my sterious fore
bodings casting their shadows before.
Tragedies. as a rule, put on paltry DISCUSSES
to Us and grimace as burlesque. The love
which il to lit a man closer TO God or to
kill his soul touches him first on q street
CAT, through a girls curl or Riggle. Death
era2ples with him in a bit of undigested
fish. or sniff of gutter sir. The fatal
Norns no longer dwell on the cloudy
heights; they go MP and down the streets,
iostled by newsboys and milkmen.
There really seemed to be no reason why
Mrs. Wayne should have been chosen as the
victim for such q strange stroke Of the
lance of Fate. She differed in no way from
thousands of other commonplace matrons
except IN that che was more gentle and in
decisive than are most American women.
She was. too, very rich. Her money had
come to her at the death Of her brother.
Peter Boyce, a well-known speculator In
Wall street. 1t ran SO far no into the mil
lions as to become a weight, shouldered
first by her husband, and at his death by
her man of affairs, John Banks, who sup
ported his family handsomely on the salary
which she paid him. She never asked
about his investments. but managed to
spend the income pleasantly and nationally
enough.
That very morning she had been wonder
ing how David, her son. would spend his
share of 1t. when she put it into his hands.
The lad, as a child. had been full of ambi-
tion. and had elected to GO into West Point.
There was more chance for adventure and
distinction. he said, Elm a soldiers career
than In any other. He had been a cadet for
two years, and was at home now on fur
Tough.
The family were at the Cliff on the Long
island coast, which was Mrs. Waynes IA
vorite of all her houses. The estate was
small principaIity. The house had been q
mere fishing lodge when Peter Royce was
the owner, but she had built q large gray
stone mansion. full of solid comfort. and
not without a certain air of sober splendor.
Mrs. Waynes tastes leaned to the side OF
msgnifcence.
That morning David. as he swung lszily
IN the hammock, had said: Il am glad.
II.
this property. but have left it all In tim
Der. I think if you will give it TO me shall
stock the lakes with trout and preserve the
game. In two or three years the place
should afford excellent sport"
'But not for you, David, IT you are out
on the frontier"
David blew a leisurely ring of smoke into
the air, and watched IL vanish. "Oh, you
mean when i am in the armyf But am
not going into the army. | shall resign
a
wealth TO make drudge of himself-even
"Oh, / did not knowI" said Mrs. Wayne.
feebly.
scanned his face anxIously over her book.
There was change in il. Perhaps only q
mothers eye could see If. but undoubted:
~ the change was there. The features had
droop In the thick eyeiids. the eyes when
he awoke suddenly were red and bloated;
ell the youthful ire had gone ont of them.
Only little while ago her boys look met
hers-gay, saucy. innocent as GIFTS. NOW
Why had she been so slow to take the
slarmf Could it have been this that old
General Coles meant when he called on her
last week and talked of the temptations to
lead an airnless sensual life which beset
avery American lad born to inherit great
fortunei She saw it now. He had meant
David: he was trying to warn her.
The boy rose and lounged across the
lawn. What could she dol She stood MP
looking after him.
on all matters of religious feeling. Since
David was q child she never probably had
spoken to him as If God had anything es-
pecially TO do with him. She had cared
anxiously for his clothes, his manners, and
his health. and was keenIy jealous of his
love for herself; but as for his soul. she
never had dared to speak to him of that!
How could she begin nowf
The poor lady went into the house with
these lncoherent thoughts rushing through
her brain. which usually knew 40 anxiety
greater than that of = new menu or gown.
Her daughter generally decided these tiff
culties for her. She went to find her now.
Maggy would know what to do. Maggy
was cool and clear-hesded, and loved her
brother dearly.
Margaret was seated at her desk, on
which was pile of Spanish dictionaries.
She had no talent for languages. but had
ambition, but had besides . logged energy
IN gaining her ends. She pushed aside her
books. and listened while Mrs Wayne told
her story.
you did not see the change in HIM before.
1t has been long in coming"
What can do. Maggyi If talked to
him
Talking has no effect. L have argued
and pleaded till am tired The girl rose
and walked up and down the room, as she
always did when greatly excit ed. There
Is no way to take hold of David. If he had
any incentive. any ambition or hope. But
be has every thing he wants. he ls simply
o rich man who can buy AS much of the
world as he chooses He will be satisfied to
lie down aud become more of an animal
every day. God knows that love him,
but see no help for him."
Il can pray" said Mrs. Wayne. under hel
breath.
Macy gave her n strange glance. Eyes.
you can pray" she said. quietly.
She sat down. Mrs. Wayne waited, 81
lent for n few minutes. hoping that Maggy
would give her some comfort; but she had
leaned her head back and closed her eyes
"a II she would shut out the matter for.
ever.
''She does not understand poor Davidp'
her mother thought. looking at her. There
was no danger that Margaret ever would
subside into q conten ted animal. She had
little beauty beyond that of youth and
superb health and an eager. bright cOur-
age, which at times gave to the girl look
OF exaltation strangely alluring.
She caught her mothers arm as she rose.
stop. mamma. Put David out of yoGl
mind for a minute. Think Of me. / have
something to tell YOU"
lyon have accepted himp'
"Hmf You mean the Princef Nobody
else wishes me TO marry HIM. OF course
you mean the Prince"
Mrs. Wayne put her arm about her, and
looked into her pale. agitated face.
lyon know there Is some one else. Have
you arcspted this Italian. Maggyfn
NO: but You will receive formal propo
sails from his father. We must decide
IL r.f.R h H.. ~