The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-03-06


nothing about it. Only pet name was
used, and it was not necessary that Gra-
ham should feel at all certain whose the
pet name was. 1t was commonplace
name anyhow. and was borne by dozens OF
women. So il seemed better that the let
ter should not be sent back. and that the
writer should be allowed to assume that
the instructed letter was q mlsundorstood
letter by the man it reached. and was care
lessly thrown away.
when shall | come, tomorrow the
lover asked as he was about to go.
'To-morrow-I don't quite know just
yet. Nellie Cameron is coming to sec ME
this afternoon or to-morrow-lt 10 not GER
tain which"
Mrs. Cameron Graham's face grew
red.
"Yes. Why do you seem surprisedf Ohw
Then n sudden thought occurred to her.
Graham" she said. almost severely.
''you ought to tell me the whole of q story
or tell me. rome of it,"
'iou are not angry, dearestf"
~ ann not apt to be angry , with you. u BIT
you must go now" She spoke cOldly.
And about tomorrow he asked. eager
ly. almost tlmidly.
About tomorrow Oh. I will write to
you and tell You when to come. / have
lots of things TO do. but must tit you in
somehow. Oh, here is some tiresOme Wis
itor.n
The windows opened on to q garden.
"Pll escape this way" Graham said.
hastily. Il don't want to meet any visitor"
The lovers parted with hardly word Of
farewell, and the footman announced Mrs
Cameron. Graham just heard tho name as
he was escaping into the garden and max
ing for the garden gate.
Mrs. Cameron was kindly-hearted.
empty headed. prattlesome little woman,
whose great delight In life was to wear
her heart upon her sleeve-at least at all
times when she wore sleeves. which were
only in the hours of morning dress. She
loved condolences and confessions, and
heart stories and illusions of soul to soul
She had known Katherine for long time,
and usually spoke of her as my soul
friend" or my heart-friend." Kath-
her effuslveness and sentimentality. and
she was really shocked at the story of
the letter. which she could not but
believe to have been written by Nellie
Cameron. She never could have expected
anything like that of the poor, little, kind
ly, foolish woman.
She was spared further conjecture. Mrs,
Cameron came rushing to contide the whole
truth to her and to throw herself upon her
confidence and implore her help. Mrs.
Cameron knew that the wrong letter had
gone TO Graham Welwyn-fOr she knew
that the other man had got the dinner in
vitatiOn meant for Graham. The man who
get the invitation was
posed-''I ought not to know
Child. you don'timazine there was any.
thing improper In it'll You couldn't believe
that of me- We are heart friends. We two,
he and /, just as you and l are, and arc in
sympathy with each other. and We console
each other. and open our souls to each
other, and that day felt l mad need of him.
and l wrote TO him. and told him my soul
was troubled for HIM. You do not believe
my word. Katherine.you must believe it."
II do hall AL
crime said. emphatically.
And he is so good. Why. It's Louis
Alan. whom You know"
Louis Alanw Katherine was q little as
t6nished. Il wish you had not told me-"
oh but must tell you all-you are the
IL do wish you wouldn't talk that kind of
stuff. Nellie; at least to me or about me.
Keep it for Mr. Alan. dare say he likes it
Il don't" Katherine could not help speak
ing sharply.
Now you are angry with mel and now
you won't help me-" poor Nellie pleaded,
her pretty little face oil twitehing and
on the brink Of tear torrent. Katherine
promptly in:erposed.
''Of course, will do any thing in my
power to help you:", shc said. in softensd
and plying tone. "but what can ! dot
don't see that there 10 any thing that wants
doing. There was no harm In the letter. /
wouldn't write that kind of thing again If
Iwere you-but don't think there 10 any
thing much to be made about It,"
crime"
What you want. Nellie" Katherine
said. frmly-shuttinR Mr.. Alan out of all
cooperation in tho business.
What | want" Nellie said, meekly ac-
to explain it all to Mr. Welwyn, and show
him that If he has any suspicion he is quite
wrong. and ask him not to say ANYTHING
about 1t, and you will know exactly how
to put it, and he will do anything you ask
mn MN. IRis is all want You will do this
That will be easily DONE" Katherine
said. MIR. Welwyn Is not O suspicious
man or q man who likes TO think badly of
women. and neithe: does he gossip about
them" Much of this speech, 1t may be
said. was On indirect thrust at the absent
Alan. who certainly had often, in Kath-
crimes presence. spoken slghtInyly and
scornfully OF poor Nellie Cameron. At the
very moment while she was saying this n
servant came In with some letters for her.
Katherine took the letters from the tray
with an Indifferent air. She know there
would not be one from Graham Welwyn,
but look OF surprise camo over her when
she saw that one of them was from Mr..
Alan. She was on the point of saying as
much to Mrs. Cameron. but prudently re-
pressed herself. Mrs. Cameron presently
went through an elusive leave-taking and
Disappeared.
Then Katherine read LOUIS Alsn's letter
with puckerlng eyebrows and reddening
angry cheeks.
my dear Miss Shirley-Can you see me
to.moTrow-and what time! Do pray see
me. have. as Shakespeare says, a motion
much imports our good i want TO saw
something to you which have long prayed
Tor the courage to say. and which must be
spoken at last. Tell me when / may come
for procurement of happiness or q
sentence of death. Living or dead. forever
yours. LOUIS ALAN.u
Stuff" our angry maiden exclaimed.
sentimental affectation! Siokening non
sense! Perhaps he had Just been writing
some silly letter to Nellie Cameron. 1t is u
pity he did not put them into the wrong
envelopes and send hers to mo and mine to
her! Oh. do wish he had sent mine to
her. IL would open the poor. silly things
waiting Tor quiet time to answer it. The
other letters that she got were of the
ordinary social and conventional type-in-
yltations and replies to invitations, and 90
1orth. More callers came, and her time
trittered away. Her mind was divided be-
tween two feelings-vexation at Alan's let.
Ter and vexation with herself because
to Graham. That. however. she thought,
with pleased and confident smile, could
be easily remedied. There would be no
trouble in pacifying Graham-if he needed
pacitication. Perhaps he had not noticed
anything in her manner. oh. yes-he must
have noticed somethiDg-but she would ex-
plain 1t all tomorrow. She would not
all to him. She would tell il to him when
he came to- morrovy-in her let ter q he would