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

CHAPTER /.

enough. whom everybody liked and nobody
considered.
For he was "only Jack" In those words
you read the whole history Of his position;
30 far. at least, as his domestic life was
concerned.
Some people seem born TO be sighted and
put upon; Jack was one Of them.
His sisters made use of him when 1t
served their purpose, and then forgot his
very existence until the next time they
wanted him; his mother never dreamed OF
consulting him until she had made up her
own mind. when she intrusted him with
the execution Of her wishes. he, of course,
defraying all expenses. Why should she
trouble herself with the discussion of de-
tails and such annoying matters? Why
should she ask his opinion? 1t was only
Jack she said.
Mother and sisters all lived in Jacks
house, and they lived in very good style.
That is to say, they spent a great deal of
money, and kept a great deal of company;
and whatever Jack thought about it, he
never said a word. Why, indeed, should
he, when nobody asked his opinion?
Jack had been the nominal head Of the
family for some years. and the actual head
of Myerson's Bank. He was very regular
In his attendance at the bank. and no one
lDClS 6O0lQ SNCA AaNC CdAAC u oPPAy
ing that sighting epithet "only" to Mr..
Myerson. Perhaps this was one reason
why he spent so many hours beneath that
respectable, If somewhat sombre, roof; for,
after all, 1t is never pleasant to be treated
as a person Of no consequence, and the
most simple. u~nassuming nature cannot
feel exactly grateful to those who con-
s~istently adopt this tone. But whatever he
felt Jack said nothing, and so nobody was
any the wiser.
Jacks house-the house where his father
and grandfather had lived before him
stood some little way out of the town. 1t
was a rambling. picturesque old building,
all overgrown with ivy and Towering creep
ers, and the grounds that surrounded 1t
were extremely beautiful. 1t was a very
pleasant house TO stay at. and so many
people knew who had been fortunate
enough to receive an invitation TO pass a
few days there; but the guests rarely re-
manned long, more especially II they were
ladies. and not-as yet-well stricken in
years; for the Myerson girls liked change,
and usually tired of their acquaintance
with astonishing rapidity. "a week. said
Constance, the younger and ~cleverer sister,
sis amply long enough to exhaust the aver
age persons topics of conversation, and
when those are once exhausted, the person
becomes a bore. 1t is then better TO part,
and to start fresh;'' and on this theory
she consistently acted.
But every rule must ave it's exceptions;
little Minnie Brender had already been at
least fourteen days beneath the Myersons'
hospitable roof, and there was as yet no
talk Of her leaving; on the contrary, Con-
stance herself spoke of engagements a week
hence, taking it. for granted, apparently,
that AItnnf0 would hnoH hnr ~ In than
and seeming not only contented. but we'll
pleased that il should be so; and yet the
girls topics or conversation were by no
means particularly varied What, then, was
the meaning of it? Jack, who was rather
an observing young man in a quiet sort Of
way, would very much have liked to know;
but there was nothing in the circumstances
or the case-so far as he was acquainted
with them-which could throw any light
Constance had made Minnie's acquaint-
ance while on a visit to a friend; she liked
her. But then Constance liked SO many
people; there was nothing. unusual In that,
though there was in the fact that the lik-
ing mad lasted so long. Minnie was a very
pretty little thing, with big, soft eyes and
a nice voice; not at all like Jacks sisters.
who were tall. stately young women, in
whose nature ~softness and gentleness were
by no means pronounced characteristics.
She seemed a little shy, too, Jack thought;
two words to her except at the dinner ta-
bic, and there. was always such a lot of
pcOplc dDOul I1dI IL IeliOW 0du HO OppOT-
tunity of really making acquaintance with
any one OF them. Besides, when they usu-
ally, stayed such a very short time, 1t was
really hardly worth while to do so; from
which it will be seen that Jacks views on
these matters differed considerably from
his sisters, though 1t was not often that
than a momentary feeling of regret.
Jack had returned from the bank much
bordering in a quiet way over this matter
while he smoked a peaceful cigar in the
his attention. He strolled on down the
path: and as he approached the speakers
the blowing words fell on his ear:
NO, Connie. l cannot do it Don't ask
Nonsense. you. ridiculous child. 1 tell
you it's only Jack"
of suddenly. coloring holly as Jack himself
emerged from the shadows of the shrub
berry on to the sunlit lawn.
There. did you ever see such a COIN
cidence?" Constance exclaimed. w were
just speaking Of you. Minnie wanted to
NO. indeed. 1 never thought of such a
thing"
"Oh, yes you did. Don't be absurd. dear.
The fact is, Jack. her guardian is staying
at the Venners. and she wants to go and
see him; but we have to drive in the oppo-
Please, Connie, don't say any more; you
mean 1t kindly, but"
.BaIlrS yog walk "a cS SXer with ,EA herr"
It's all settled, then. 1 must go and
dress; goodbye. and a pleasant walk to
you"
And Constance swept across the lawn
without giving them time to raise any OBJ
~jections. That was Constance's way; she al
ways settled things out of hand, and often
without paying much attention 10 other peo-
pies wishes in the matter.
Jack began 10 laugh; ConStance's little
ways often amused him Immensely, though
she was far from suspecting it; then, seeing
that Minnie really looked embarrassed and
annoyed. he stopped abruptly.
Il hope you don't mind Cons nOnSense?"
he said. 1T isn't worth bothering about.
You know 1 shall really be very glad to
take you over there"
Indeed. Mr.. Myerson. I couldn't think of
and I never dreamed of asking you; it was
all Connie doing"
"I know that" hastily; but if you wish
But 1 don't. At least-its Of no conse-
Quence, thank you"
do this afternoon, and IL you want 10 see
your friend. l want particularly to see
Dick Venner- No, Ii isn't humbugi' as
she looked at him questioningly. II real
Iy mean IL. Won't you let me be OF use
to
Really and truly and he smiled. He
had a very nice smile, she thought. Are
you ready? for IL so. we may as we'll be off
at once"
So they started; and. reaching the gar
den gate, passed out into the narrow,
winding lane. which led through pleasant
Venners' house. some two miles distant.
II was a charming walk. up hill and down
dale; with ever-vaTying views, and no
monotony about IL.