The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-04

him on TO the tree alone. When he reached
1t,, ne pushed aside the branches and said
to Introduce you 10 Miss Lamb"
Me- Yes, you. We saw you here; she
wants TO meet you"
w ants 10 meet me-"
YES, you. Come along"
Craik came cut from beneath the tree.
Miss l-amb-dOes she live in Oxford?''
OF don't mean TO tell me you've never
heard or Miss Lamb?' letters paused in
establishment You must be the only man
In oxford then who has not. Miss Lamb is
An American"
Craik had heard that American ladies'
were so brilliant.
Miss Lamb. let me introduce Mr.. Craik,
our philosopher"
Mr. Mr. Craik. am glad to meet you"
had put out her hand he tried to take it.
put 1t was too late. The American young
Iady. however. smiled, and put out her hand
AGAIN, ana gave IL 10 him frankly, almost
as n II were a present.
We ought to shake hands. oughtn't We?
III 8 the English way, isn't itT'
Craik stihed a guffaw, and his awkward
sensations began to go.
Mr. Cobbe, would you mind getting me
an ice?'
Cobbe's face wore an odd expression as he
bowed and disappeared. Maple letters fiut-
tered off, like fat butterfly, ID other occu-
patons. Craik AM Miss Lamb were left
alone and they began TO walk with VAGUE
steps, and, on The lady's part, vague. IN
finished scraps of conversation. along the
ndhdS on ner par3SOl, and looking at her
companion. as she leaned a little toward
nm. she said, as IL they were old frIends
IL wonder-wouli You take me into your
Oh college cloisters? 1 have heard so much
about them and it wouldn't be wrong for us
to run away from the party FOR just a few
minutes. do so want to-you won't mind?"
:, oh dear. no. Craik exclaimed. Certain
~ We can 90. It's through the quadrangle.
But Mr.. Goodwill ne find you9''
m nell know where 1 am; and If he
don't it's no matter. Come"
They went under the garden tower and
tnrough the little old quadrangle, into the
entrance of the cloisters. OF the history
and traditions of the place and of the whole
college. Craik spoke almost with elouuence
while Miss Lamb listened with murmurs
and Interruptions of enthusiastic interest
cloisters of a monastery; the tower was
the monastery tower; and the bell that
leSe into chapel, was the bell that once
monks.
What monks? Did monks really once
live here? Oh, how 1 should have liked to
have seen ii then"
"Ah. but you couldn't. you know. They
never eyer all C, ladies inside the gates"
Yes" Craik said smiling, wasn't it
They walked with slow steps around the
Swallowed clOisters, and Miss Lamb talked
idly Of the party. 1t was such pretty party
ties? No? How odd She did-to ever so
many: Then suddenly she cried. in a
But how frivolous I am, Mr.. Craik.
can see that you are quite shocked"
Shocked! oh, no, not bit"
well. then, you ought to be. Imagine
being so frivolous in a solemn place like
this Tell me. you study philosophy, don't
feel so IN Rb2Se a6 5g G1r9rd
Why, 1 feel afraid Then, after a mo-
ment's charming hesitation, yes, quite
afraid TO talk TO clever people. You mustn't
mind what say. will your
. But l am not clever!" he exclaimed.
',Oh, but Mr.. Craik! Why, you've written
But that's nothing. And it's only a sort
OF study; nothing really"
81 wish could read it,"
oh, no! don't try it; it's stupid thing,
only meant for students"
Miss Lamb paused and turning her eyes
TO Cratk with a look filled with reproach,
she said:
"Ah, you are like the others: you don't
understand it,
"Oh no. not that" Craik urged, in quick
distress. You would understand il. OF
course, what there is TO understand. I only
meant" he stammered, 81 only meant that
II was not we'll written, not on interesting
not really worth reading, mean"
"Oh, am sure it is worth reading, and
hear it's so clever. 1t is ABOUT Asia Minor,
isn't 1t? L wish you would tell me some
you like it here? OF course you do not.
Have you been in Oxford long?
For a third TIME they passed around the
steps that scarcely walked the old echoes of
the stones and arches, and Craik, talking
with an unreserve that was intimate and
sudden, and yet somehow seemed quite nat
ural to him, told about his work and the
writing of his book. Then, in answer to a
question Of Miss Lambs, he described his
where his parents were tradespeople; his
early schooling. how he had come to Ok
ford on a scholarship, and how he had
stayed there ever since living in the same
college, his parents having died, and the
logic tutorship being offered to him Just
when he had taken his degree.
So he seemed to have lived a long while
there in that sleepy old college, with its
high walls and buildings; undergrad
uate first, busy and almost solitary, save
for a few friends similar to himself; then
as a tutor. still more busy with his work
and still more solitary; and above all, dur
ing the last few years, when all his thought
and leisure had been given to his book on
Ionic philosophy. How many years was it
altogether? Eight, no, ten-and then, as
she seemed TO be really interested he gave
sketch. half humorous and half serious
of his life in college. y bare monaStic life
it seemed to himself when he came to de-
scribe it, monotonous life and empty.
So little to tell of, in so many years; but
then how long ago II seemed.
with f blush. Fl don't think have e s eVer
talked so much of myself before. 1t sounds
rather dull. l am afraid"
MISS I<ALID SlOppSu LOT Il moment Dul
Mr.. Craik," she cried. "Oh, no, 1 think it
is noble. To have achieved so much al
ready. You don't know how l have been
interested. Only it is SOL mean ii makes
me seem $3.50. 1 suppose you hate
women"
"Oh. no-no'
II mean look down on them. despise
them"
mo. Why. L"
too polite to say so. You don't think, do
you. that they could understand philoso-
phy?'
''Of course they can, quite we'll as we
do, If they would only try
DO YOU think IL would be any use my
trying? Really. do you really? 1 should
so love TO If IL would be OF any use. You
know | have always wanted 10 understand
about it, and there is hardly anyone in
tho world | admire much the philos-
ophers. They are the real leaders of the
lyle. And a frivolous life like mine seems
sometimes So-but then people will never be-
lteve | am in earnest, and they all make
fun OF me and discourage me so. Perhaps
! they are rignt; but / have never had any
one to help me-"
.Oh. ] sure they are wrong" Craik
cried. IF YOU would only try. Do you
think could-could help you?"
"Oh, YOU are too kind. And, perhaps, IL
| You wouldn't mind coming to see me some
afternoon, to talk to me about IL. And
maybe you would bring your book; should
| so love to see IL. And then If you would
| let me look at one or two of your features,
| those you have for just the stupidest OF
| your pupils No, don't tell me l not
! the right TO ask you TO come; you are
busy