The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-11

light In her eyes, that new tone in her
voice? Poor child! And yet
Suddenly he started, and drew back a lit
tie into the shadows.
Two figures were standing together on the
terrace. and in the brilliant moonlight he
recognized them at once.
He recognized, too, the motive that had
brought him here, and smiled contemptuous-
ly.
They were talking very earnestly, but in
a low tone: not so low, however, but that,
standing so near as he did, a few words
possible for him TO withdraw out Of ear
shot
Then Minnie, deadly pale, trembling,
came into the roOm-alone.
there, but made an effort to recover her:
self-not a very successful effort, low
Minnie" he said quietly, II think you
were ERE rather theT 9 oyer et;y Just ssi,n now; You 8 have n6
a mistaken impression"
81. Colonel" she faltered, flushing pain
My dear, 1 overheard a few words-un-
intentionally, OF courseEwhich make me
think IL Is time we came to an understand
ing. you and l." He paused a moment,
as though to give her time to recover her.
self; and then added abruptly. your moth
er made you promise that you would mar
words came, and she spoke with her eyes
time, watched her intently.
"And you thought, foolish child. that
the matter? That was hardly fair to me.
Minnie"
My mother said-that it was your wish
and hers: and she had wronged you, and
L must atone. She made me promise
"A great many foolish things, as was
her custom" he said impatiently: why.
she made me promise 3i 6nat would ask you
IF you wish" She began: but he in
terrupted her with a quick laugh.
"Rnt Il don't. nv dear. not nOw nl1Ct
keep my promise, that's all. 1t would be
no atonement, child, TO spoil two lives in
been thinking of? But you are to be
guided by my advice, and my advice is
there's been a. little misunderstanding
it myself
And. without allowing her time to say
anything against his proposal Col. Leigh
| stepped out on to the terrace. He paused a
moment, and looked up and down. Jack
ing moodily against the balustrade that
parted the terrace from the grassy slopes
beyond.
The peaceful moonlight shone 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 disappointment. The blow had
been so unlocked for. so totally unexpected
In a few moments he would pull himself
together and return to the noise and the
crowd of the garish drawing room; but
IL Ah& Ap ~ MIN
| 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 eff
fort to pull himself together. His face
was white and haggard in the moonlight.
Colonel Leigh" he calculated. I'm at
your service"
lyon have, I understand. been making an
offer Of marriage TO my ward, Miss Bren-
81 have; though how do you come to know
it"
overheard a few words"
Fortunately" Jack echoed bitterly.
Eyes. fortunately" the Colonel repeated
emphatically; for It enables me TO put
things straight; to explain certain matters,
as / hope. to your satisfaction. 1 heard my
ward refuse you, and l heard the reason
that she gave"
She told me she was already engaged"
ITO YOU? She did not say so. but / sus-
pected it." The younger man looked at him
for a moment in silence. You have not
explained much TO my satisfaction yet"
he added bitterly.
mo; there has been a great deal of mis-
apprehension. and it is time we understood
each other. Minnie, despite her assertion 10
the contrary, is not engaged to me, and
never has been. though she promised her
mother to marry me II / wished il. Well. ]
9Th girl is free, free as air-or would be
but for one small consideration"
lint she loves you, Myerson: and is
waiting in the library there 10 tell you so.
| There he goes. off like a shot; and 50 ends
what never had a beginning. save in one
old FOOLS fancy. All. we'll" and the Colonel
! passed his hand over his brow with a weary
gesture, hes a good fellow, and a gentle
: inan: aud all one hears or him Is to his