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

you, and must atone She made me
promise"
"A great many foolish things, as was
her CUSTOM he said impatiently. why,
she made me promise that l would ask
you to marry me. VIII your
IF you wish she began; but he
interrupted her with a quick laugh.
But l don't my dear; not now. l
must keep my promise. that's all. 1t
would be no atOnement, child, to spoil
two lives instead Of one. What can your
mother have been thinking Of? But you
are to be guided by my advice, and my
advice is-call back young Myerson and
tell him there's been a little misunder-
standing somewhere-or, wait-he's out
here. I'll do il myself"
And, without allowing her time TO
say anything against this proposal, Col.
Leigh stepped out On the terrace. He
paused a moment, and looked ZIP and
down. Jack was standing at some lit
tie distance, leaning modify against
the balustrade that parted the terrace
from the grassy slopes beyond.
The peaceful moonlight 5hOne all
around him. the merry dance music
sounded in his ears; but in Jacks heart
there was neither peace nor mirth, only
perpleXity. and grief. and deep disap-
pointment The blow had been so IN
looked for, so totally unexpected In
few moments he would pull himself to-
gether. and return to the noise and the
crowd OF the garish drawing room; but
just for a minute
The colonel walked up to him hastily
and laid his hand on his shoulder.
II want your attention one moment,
Mr.. Myerson, if you please" he said
gravely.
Jack looked up, with a very visible
effort to pull himself together. His face
was white and haggard in the moon
light.
col. Leigh he calculated. TN at
your service"
You have. understand. been max
ing an offer of marriage to my ward,
Miss Brender?"
Il have; though how you come to
know tt
Il was in the library, and fortunately
overheard a few words"
Fortunately" Jack echoed bitterly.
Yes; fortunately" the colonel re-
peated emphatically; for il enables me
to put things straight; to explain mat
ters, as L hope, to your satisfaction.
heard my ward refuse you, and l heard
he reason that she gave"
''She told me she was already en-
gagged"
ITO me: yes"
ITO you? She did not say so. but I
suspected it." The younger nan looked
at him for a moment in silence. You
have not explained much to my salts
faction YETI he added bitterly.
NO; there has been a great deal of
misrepresentation. and it is time we I'M
dersOod each other. Minnie, despite her
assertion to the contrary, is not engaged
TO me, and never has been, though she
promised her mother to marry me If
] wished it. Well, don't wish IT. and
he drew a long breath. 1.-THE girl is
free. free as air-or would be but for
one small consideration"
And that is"
THAT she loves YOU. Myerson; and is
waiting in the library, there. to tell You
so. There he goes, off like a shot; and
so ends-what never had a beginning.
save in one old FOOLS fancy, All. well"
and the colonel passed his hand over
his brow with a weary gesture, hes
a good fellow and a gentleman; and
all one hears of him is to his credit. a
good sort, not like the sister 1 couldn't
wish better fate for little Minnie"'
Yes, the colonel was satisfied; and if
life seemed to him drearier than he had
thought to find it of late years, he was
not he man to complain. Then suddenly
he saw a stately figure crossing the ter
race toward him, and recognized Con-
stance. What was she after now? he
wondered.
And Constance herself Immediately an
SWered his question.
Il was just looking for you she said,
as she paused beside him. "Oh, colonel,
l can't tell you how sorry l ann
What. about those engravings? Never
mind; I'll see them another time"
"Oh. I didn't mean them. L meant
But you ought To see for yourself
though. perhaps Why did you not
wait for me in the library?' she asked
abruptly.
Because other people seemed to have
more need of it than l had" he replied
slowly.
'Other people? You mean"
My ward and your brother, yes"
ooh. it is shameful for her to treat
you so! \ heartless little fiirtv'
Miss Myerson." he said sternly, you
must not say such things Of my ward.
Your brother is there with my knowl-
edge and consent. ] sent him to her
"But-you are making too much of a
foolish flirtationr Constance cried in
dismay. ''She didn't mean any harm.
I'm sure. She knew it was only jack
Yes; and she finds him quite enough
to satisfy her; so we need not distress
ourselves on their account"
cor our own" she asked spitefully.
''Or our own" and he smiled you
have done your best, and thank you
With which enigmatical words he left
her, and strolled off down the terrace
All the Year Round.