The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-06-24

The philosopher spread out his hands.
MY dear young lady, he said. lit be-
comes n question of degree. How probable
or improbable is it?''
II don't know. Not very probable-un-
''Weny'
Unless he did happen to notice. you
know"
'Ah, yes. We supposed that if he
thought of IL he would probably take the
desired step-at least. that he might be led
10 do so. Could she not-er-indicate her
preference
II understand precisely. And it seems
to me, Miss May that in that very fact
We find our solution"
DO WEI she asked
Il think He has evidently no natural
inclination toward her-perhaps not toward
him would be necessarily shallow and. in a.
measure. artihcial-and, in all likelihood,
purely temporary. Moreover If she. tool;
Steps to arouse his attention one of two
things would be likely to happen. Are
you following meg'
Yes Mr.. birmingham"
Either he would be repealed by borrower
tures-which you must admit is not I'M
unpleasant, and even degrading to her. or.
on the other hand, he might, through
mistaken feeling of gallantry-
Through mistaken idea Of politeness,
or mistaken view Of what was KIND, al
low himself to be drawn into a connection
agree with me that one or other or these
things would be likely?'
Yes, / suppose they would, unless ne
did come to care for her."
"Ah. you return to. that hypothesis
think it's an extremely fanciful one. NO;
alone :,
The philosopher closed his book. took off
his glasses, wiped them, replaced them anu
leaned back against the trunk of the apple
tree The girl picked a dandelion In pieces.
After long pause she asked:
hfnk
all likely toto changer
THAT depends on the sort of man he Is;
interests which engross him-a man wno
has chosen his path in life-a man 10 wnom
womens society Is ,b not s neie 9Se girl as
she bit the head off daisy.
Then" said the philosopher, II see not
the least reason for supposing that ms feei-
ings will change"
"And would you advise her to marry the
other-A?'
fellow Q think we made A a good fellow;
he is a suitable match, his love for her Is
true and genuine"
.Yes-and-er-extreme. She likes him.
There is every reason TO hope tnat ner INK,
| ing will develop into a sufficiently deep and
folly about B and make a good wire.
| Yes. MISS May, if were the author OF your
novel 1 should make her marry "A, ana l
| should call that a happy ending
| A silence followed. 1t was broken by the
| philosopher --.,..
lis that all you wanted my opinion about,
Miss Mayo" he asked. with his fingers De-
tween the leaves of the treatise on ontol-
ogy; mil. hone haven't bored
| i've enjoyed the discussion extremely.
had no idea that novels raised points OF
susn psychological interest. l must fnd
| time to read one" -
The girl had shifted her position till. in
/ stead OF her full face, her profile was
turned toward him. Looking away toward
| the paddock that ley brilliant in sunshine
on the skirts of the apple orcnara, sns
asked. in low, slow tones, twisting ner
| hands in her lap:
Don't you think that perhaps if B found
out afterward.when she had married ma beT a. a.
very, very. much, he might De little
| sorry?"
| it deeply"
| II mean-sorry on his own account; that
1 that he had thrown away all that, you
| The Professor looked meditative.
| II think" he pronounced, that 1t is very
| possible he would. can Well imagine II.
! HE might never find anybody TO love him
| like that again, she said gazing on the
HE probably would not" agreed the
"And~and most people like being loved.
ITO crave for love is an almost universal
Eyes, almost" she said. with a dreary
| little smile. You see. he'll get old and
| and have no one TO look AFTER hlin-
| He will"
And no home
brighten me-. I'm bachelor myself you
| know. Miss May"
And all your terrors are before me-
"Oh. we needn't have that unless
| laughed the philosopher cheerfully. There
| is no unless about Ii, Miss May.
| The girl jumped to her feet; for an In
slant she looked at the philosopher she
the thought of what lay at her tongues
tip her face grew red. But the philoso'
pher was gazing past nIr; ana thu ms ss eye:
"A beautiful thing, sunshine. to be sure
said he.
lips closed. Without speaking she turnec
| and walked slowly away, her head droop'
ing. The philosopher heard the rustic @
her skirt in the long grass OF the orcnaru
he watched her for few moments.
"A pretty graceful creature" said he
took his pencil in his hand, and slipped il
careful forefinger TO mark the hy-lear
The sun had passed midheaven and begur
book Then he stretched himself and loolSec
at his watch. Good gracious, 2 O'Clock
1 shall be late for lunchr' and he hurriet
He was very late for lunch.
..Everything's cold" walled his hostess
where have you been. Mr.. birmingham?
''Only in the notwithstanding"
"And you've missed May"
Missed Miss May? How do you mean
| had a long talk with her this morning
a most interesting talk"
But you weren't here to say goodbye
I Now. you don't mean TO say that you for
got that she was leaving by the o'clocs
train? What man you are"
Dear me. To think of my forgettin:
it," said the philosopher, shamefacedly.
''She told me to say goodbye TO you fol
| her."
she's very kind. can't forgive my
self"
His hostess looked at him for moment
then she sighed and smiled and sighet
again.
Have you everything you want?" sh,
asked.
Everything, thank YOU" said he. sittin!
down opposite the cheese and dropping hi
book Che thought he would just run through
the last chapter AGAIN. against the loaf
everything in the world that 1 want
thanks
His hostess did not tell him that the cir
had come in from the apple orchard AM
run hastily upstairs lest her friend shoult
see what her friend did see In her eyes. S,
that he had no suspicion at ali that he hal
received an offer of marriage-and refused
II. And he did not refer TO anything @
that sort when he paused once in his read
ing and exclaimed:
I'm really sorry / missed Miss May
That was an interesting case of hers. Blu
1 gave the right answer. The girl ough
| TO marry A.
! And the girl did.
Anthony Hope in the English Illustrates
| Magazine.