The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-27

views, and no monotony about IL.
Minnie was rather silent at first: per-
maps Jacks polite assurances had only
satisfied her, perhaps she had private
causes for preoccupation quite apart
from him; whatever the reason, he GER
tafnly found conversation somewhat up
hill work: but he persevered CALAMITY,
and at length his efforts were rewarded.
Needless to say. his conversational pow
ers were not highly thought of in his
own family; and, in point of fact, ne
was not a ready talker; there was small
inducement to talk, when no one appar-
emily cared to listen; and his sisters
girl friends were not usually the sort
Of women he cared To talk to; they We're
apt TO be fast, and rather noisy, and
little too conscious of their own attrac-
tions to attract him.
But with this QUIET little thing it was
different: if she did not say much. he
soon found she was an admirable listen
er, and scarcely had he discovered this
before she was taking her share-a very
small and timid one-in the converse
ton. Jack felt quite proud. and began
to enjoy himself amazingly. Yes; ii was
very pleasant walk!
At length the chimneys Of the Ven
nerS house appeared above the trees.
and Jack pointed them out to his COM
panion.
We shall be there in FIVE minutes
now he said regretfully.
80 soon? I did not know we had
come so far" she replied. looking along
the road before them. Il wonder wheth-
er he will be Out?'
Something in her Lonesome feeting
expression in her soft gray eyes-made
him fancy il would not occasion her
deep regret If he were; but this might
be a mistaken idea.
He is not expecting you, them
oh no. He does not know / am here.
But Constance thought 1 ought to go
and see him. It was she who told me
he was visiting the Venners."
Constance is very fond Of telling peo-
pie what they ought TO do he laughed.
Don't let her order YOU about too much,
or she'll give you no peace.
"She was quite right in this case.
Col. Leigh has always been very kind
TO me, and / owe him every respect and
consideration" she said, quietly but
firmly; rather too firmly, he thought.
for the circumstances, but then, per
haps. he hardly understood what those
circumstances were.
He is your guardian. is he not?'' he
asked. as he paused to open the gate.
Yes. What a pretty drivei / have
never been here before, but the views are
lovely"
Apparently she did not wish to discuss
Col. Leigh and Jack felt a sudden curiOs-
ity to see the man, which. however as
he presently learned on inquiry at the
front door. was not to be gratifed for
the present
1.-The colonels out. sir: went out di-
rectly after luncheon with my mistress
and the young ladies, and they've not
been in since; and Mr. Dick, he's out,
too Won't you come in and rest. sir?
and won't the young lady have some tea
after her walk? -
What do you say. Miss Brender; shall
we waltz
IF the colonel is likely to return"
Minnie began doubtfuIly.
He may, miss; and then again he may
not. Let me bring the tea out in the
veranda, miss. and perhaps he'll be in
while you're taking it."
Il really think we'd better say yes"
Jack said. as she looked at him in evil
dent hesitation. Mrs. Venner was quite
hurt once when the girls went home
without letting Jones give them tea;
wasn't she. Jones?"
"She was sir. She told me as 'ow l was
never to let it 'appen again.
Then we will have it, please; and let
the colonel know directly he comes in,
Minnie said. with a sudden air of resolu-
ton.
yes. miss"
He then conducted them through a
wide hall to the drawing-room, and
thence to the veranda, where, under
masses of clustering roses that filled the
air with their delicious perfume, the tea
table stood ready.
This is certainly better than trudging
back at once" said Jack, as they sat i'm
the pleasant shade and waited for the
tea. Don't YOU think 500"
Yes, butt seems rather cool MAX
ing ourselves at home in this way. |
suppose you know Mrs. Venner very
well?''
Rather! 1 assure you we are doing
the very thing Of all others she would
approve of. so you may be quite easy
haaW L. i
as he took off his hat and hung it on the
creepers near. odd thing your friend
should be here. and just now, toor' he
added thoughtfully
Not so very odd, for Col. Leigh has a
great many friends. l should not have
known he was here if Constance had
not told me-"
Does Constance know him. then? All,
like your guardian, she has a great
many friends,'
She has met him. believe; and they
have mutual acquaintance. / think il
must be very confusing to have so many
friends; few would be much nicer
'Oh, If you found you were getting
mixed among them you could easily drop
a few-sS Con does
But l should not like that at all. 1t
would seem heartless and unkind," she
exclaimed
That wouldn't trouble herr cynically.
mo. don't look so Mortified, Miss
Brender; I'm not defending the system:
I'm only explaining to you how it is
done"
But you don't approve of it?" the
girl asked, looking at him doubtfully.
Not in the least. 1t is contrary alike
to my principles and my practice | be-
Heve in having few friends, and never
changing them. But in the sort of
whirligig society my people go in for. it's
next to impossible even to make a friend,
far less to keep one"
What pity" sympatheticalIy But
you have the Venners, and neighbors
like them2"
"Oh, yes, we have lots Of neighbors;
any number of them But then one
doesn't choose ones friends simply be-
cause they happen to live next door"
That is true" thoughtfully.
I'm fact" Jack continued, they have
to be very much ones friend before one
can get over their living next door at
all
You would realize the truth of that
very fOrcibly if you lived. as / do in
little village" Minnie laughed. Next
door neighbors are Miss Framley's pet
grievance. and they give US no peace.
Miss Framley is my gOverness, You
know. and she is very particular abou1
the acquaintance we make"
''She is quite right" Jack said emphat-
ically; and somehow he felt glad to know
how carefully this pretty little girl was
guarded in her home life.
So they talked on, idly enough, until
the arrival of Jones and the tea-tIay
gave them some further occupation; and
Minnie grew quite bright and animated
r. nd