The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-01-25

away from me that way. Who knows but
what he might marry somebody else
while he was gone? Have you never
been afraid that Dorm wOuld?"
oh, no. Ruth. Never. He loves me
too we'll for that, l know"
And you felt just as sure OF that when
YOU did not hear from him for nearly two
years?"
"Yes." replied Mary. with little hest
tation. however. "ior | know the girl
whose lover goes a-whaling must have pa
! thence; and have heard Uncle Thatcher
tell a good deal about the countries to
which the whalers 60, and l hardly
think"
THAT he would be likely to meet any,
body there who would be able to cut you
out. Wei. there's some comfort in that
reflection, anyway. But the letter What
does he say for himself?'
THAT he is coming home, Ruth com
! ing home at last. tie is on the way now.
A fast sailing packet ship brought the let
ter on ahead, aud he supposed that he
wonld arrive couple Of weeks after re-
ceived it.
And when he comes you'll get mar
rled?"
"I-hope So" repIied Mary. in a little
lower tone and with tears gathering in her
eyes. "But yon know We are poor: and
| bes des. Uncle Thatcher"
That. Tor Uncle Thatcher" exclaimed
little Ruth. swapping her fingers defantiy.
What has he TO cay about whom you
shall marry2 That is a matter which
concerns nobody but you and Dorm"
MY mother. when she was diving in the
| big city. leaving me ali alone, put me in
/ his charge You know"
well, what of it? It would be as
much as I'd do 10 let my father and moth
er interfere with my marrying any nice
young man l liked, aud l don't believe
parents can transfer that right-if il is a
right-to anybody. Uncle Thatcher. in
deed" she eiacu ated scorniully, with a
toss OF h-r little resoute round head.
what does he want you 10 d., anyway
To live and die an old maid to please
him."
mo, have been ashamed TO tell any
body heretoiore-even vou, Ruth-bui be
wants me to marry Cousin SIlss."
That ugy, good-for- nothing cub OF
his?"
Yes; Silas asked me to once, and when
/ refused him, said that 1 was only a pau
per living on his ftherie charity, and
threatened TO I, II such stories about me
and frightened me terribly, and Dorm
found me in the woods crying about it,
In the fullness Of my heart | told him all.
! couldn't keep X to myself when he
asked me Why cried. And do you know
what he did He went right off and gave
Silas such an aw ul pounding that he was
laid mp for two weeks"
Good! l like Dorm Hackett better
than / ever did before. That's Just what
should expect of Lem in such a case"
That was she time Silas was reported
to be so sick. just before Dom went away.
de never dared TO talk about me as he
said be would, guess. but as soon as he
got we'll went right off to New York.
Uncle Thatcher b amed Dorm for hurting
Slas, and has hated the thought of hi II
ever since. And on. Ruth you don't
know what I've had to suffer from Aunt
Thatcher
"Now you Just take my advice and put
your back right up at her; and SIS soon as
Dorm comes home you two 90 right OF
AMI get married, and il Uncle Thatcher
tries to interfere have Dorm pound him,
too--woTse than he did Silas."
Mary smiled through her tears and re-
piled: "Dorn saws no has done well and
talks about buying share in a coasting
schooner-and a use-and-furniture-
aud think he said something about get
ting married right away"
In sympathetic exuberance of JOY the
two girls embraced and kissed each other,
Ruth e&clsiming:
And we'll get married on the same
day, won't we? And in spite of Uncle
Thatcher, or anybody else, Mary Wallace
will be Mrs. DOrman Hsckett, and Ruth
Lenox will be Mrs. Lemuel Pawlett. But
l wish Lem's name didn't rhyme with
'puhet' and outlet
The two charming young friends were
go busy with their theme that not until
they were close before hin, in the little
bride path through which they wandered
did they notice the presence of the third
persona smoothly-shaved. little. elderly
gentleman, primly dressed in black and
wearing a band of Grape upon his tall
silk hat. He was upon horseback sitting
silent and morionless. he hal seen the
girls slowly sirol,ing toward him, waited
till they almost col ided with his horses
nose and had executed a little concerted
scream of surprise, and then addressed
them in a slow, measured and suppressed
manner, saying:
81 am eudeavoriug to find the residence,
or residences, of two persons known as
Peter and Jacob Van Deust, supposed to
be brothers, who. according to my present
inform alton aud belief. reside somewhere
in this vicinity. Can either OF you young
ladies direct me definitely upon my way,
and ii able. will you be kind enough to
do SOP"
''Follow the path you are on" answered
Ruth. until you enter the main road
turn to your right about quarter of
mile. then 90 up lane that you will see
on vour left the fret that has an elm tree
on each side of its entrance-and it will
lead YOU straight up to the Van Deust
homestead"
II am very much obliged to you for
your apparent courtesy and the seeming
accuracy of the details of your informa-
tion," responded the little gentleman with
grave deliberation, bending almost to the
horses name as he spoke. Then straigten-
ing himself and shaking the reins. he
urged his steed into gentle trot and soon
disappeared in the gathering evening
shades at the bend of the path.
Supposed to ba brothers'-indeed! :"
exclaimed Ruth, when hs was out OF
sight. I'm sure their faces will afford
him sufficient information and belief on
that score when he sees them.
III.
GOLDEN RAIN.
The Van Deast brothers sat smoking
4. - II -. oh Al