The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-10-23


home" she rejoined. with contented
smile, accepting the compliment as refer
ring entirely to Birdie and Bonnie. Il for
get whether you said you knew my hus-
bandp
I've had the pleasure of his acquaint-
ance-some time ago."
do you think Birdie like himi" she in
CURED, with lively interest.
"We-ell. l can't say she looks much as
remember him."
Don't you think sol" said Lucy, disap-
pointedly. Some people think Bonnie
more like him. Bonniehas his eyes. He's
papa's own Bonnie Boy, isn't hef' she
added. holding ont her hands to the child.
visitors knee for the enjoyment
of ride to Banbury Cross" was
deaf to maternal Establishments
Presently the remembrance that
she had left pie In the oven called Mrs.
Granger TO the Kitchen. When she had
duly attended to the domestic department.
she returned-to find that Birdie had inst
propounded q difficult question to the
visitor-namely, docs fish go To heaven"
''She has rad fish on her mind ever since
the man tried to pass some stale trout Oft
on me yesterday as just fresh caught, ex-
planned Lucy.
do they 20 to beavenp Birdie repeated.
pulling at the visitors coat, evidently de-
termlned not to lose the opportunity of get
ting this knotty problem solved by his gu
perior intelligence.
well, don't you think. Mrs. Granger.
that we may suppose. II there's anything
in the Buddhist doctrine of transmi graz
ton. that they get there at lastf" be sug-
gested.
They det there at last" echoed Birdie.
She cogitated awhile. turning the question
over In her mind in its various aspects and
then announced her conclusion that they
"Must make heaven smell awful badw
The stranger laughed softly.
nra'a mi N
logical and eelestiai in the early stages Of
development he observed.
Yes. The first time Birdie ever heard
thunder, it was only u muttered rumble in
the distance. She listened to it very at
tentively and said: big Puss g'owIn Then
II rumbed louder and nearer. and my little
Birdie didn't like it so much them and sh Q
came to me for protection and said: 'G'eat
g'izzly bear gOwl'"
Birdie listened to this narrative with an
air of approval of her own lDterpretati OnS
of natural phenomena.
''Ess." she remarked complacently.
when it runders, geat big bears g'owl in
heaven"
Time slipped away smoothly. and the con-
versation ran on velvet. Lucy had seldom
passed q pleasanter social hour than in this
strangers company; indeed. she could
scarcely believe that an hour had passed
when he intimated that he wouldn't in
trude on her any longer; he wouldn't wait
Won't you stay for dinnerl" she asked
him Hospitality. It'll be on the table in
five minutes. Ny husband Will be glad.
Pm sure. if you'll stay"
But he gracefully declined her invita-
ton; and rose to take his leave;
rose.
II should have asked that" said Lucy
smiling. who shall say has calledY"
He looked Of her thouRhtfully. strOking
his aolden-tawny beard for q moment be-
You can say Mr.. Thompson-Willlam
well, Mr.. Thompson. Pm sure my hus-
band will be real sorry to have missed
you" said Lucy, cordially. Il hope you'll
Twill you promise me a welcome If doW
Gus, although q smile just curved his lips.
Indeed. we'll oil be delighted to see you
any time" she assured him. Say good
bye to Mr.. Thompson, children. and give
him pretty kiss"
Bonnie. who was standing on q chair,
nesting against his mothers side, with her
arm round him, was nothing 10th. He
threw. his fat. dlmpied arms round Mr..
Thompson's neck. and gave him an ursine
hug and kiss. Birdie hung back little for
o moment, with u play at coyness. before
she consented TO bestow on HIM an equally
atfectlonate parting salute. Then Lucy
held ont her hand with o friendly good
bye. He took the hand and held it gently,
almost reverently.
well, goodbye. Mrs Granger he said,
IL thank you for your kind welcome and
I'll not forget this hour. Perhaps some-
time you'll know that / don't forget it,
He looked down at the children with q
glance that seemed to her strangely and
needlessly serious.
Its u good many years" he added, after
q pause, "slnce a baby's kissed me-"
Then he passed out the door. He turned
on the outer threshold and stood for an in
slant. q picturesque figure. tall and 1.-the.
In the broad Hood OF sunlight that gilded
his tawny hair and beard. lifted his SOM
brero hat with a salute full OF a respectful
courtesy that was almost reyerent, almost
sad-apd Lucy watched him out of sight.
with Q serene brightness on her face, as of
one who has enjoyed pleasant hour.
There's been a gentleman here for you.
DAM she said to her husband when ho
returned. IAN old friend of yours. He
waited q good time to see you-Mr. Thomp.
SON.
"Thompson'" Dan repeated, pausing for
o moment IN his play at HORSE" as he W as
giving Bonnie Boy q ride on his shoulder.
Don't think know any Thompson. What
Christian name did he sayp
..WIllian-William Thompson"
Never knew any William Thompson"
said Dan. knitting his brOws. some man
Yes partly business; but he said he
knew you, tOO-knew you years ago."
What sort of fellow was he?"
Quite o gentleman. and very pleasant.
The children made great friends with him.
and he seemed delighted with them. He
was sorry ne couldn't wait any longer to
see you."
$50 am not to see him! for Pm dashed if
remember any William Thompson"
He was tall and fair. with light tawny
hair and beard. and very blue eyes," said
Lucy, anxious to recall the agreeable
stranger to her husbands memory; "and
he had long scar like an old wound
straight down the lett cheek just In front
of the ear"
Dan reeled around as if he had been shot.
Had he lost two joints OFT the little fin
ger of his left hand-the finger mere
stump like thisf'
. Yes. noticed it when he was play
ing with Bonnie. Dans Why Danl
look on her husbands face reflected
upon her Own; for o dark look of doubt
and defiance had kindled like a danger
signal In Dams eyes. But in another
moment his native good humor reassert-
ed itself and he burst into n half-re-
luctant laugh, which, however, was not all
of mirth.
We'll. If that don't beat ALL Loo and
the little ones hobnobbing with Captain
Phil"
Captain Phil! That dreadful man-tbe
fairly taken away, Tor of course the story
of Captain Phil was we'll known TO her.
Where is he nowp
81 don't know" replied Lucy still aghast.
HE didn't say where ho was going. He
went that way"