The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-13

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IL, which was instantly responded to.
The door OF what Cicely knew to be
Mrs. Winton's dining room was flung
wide open, and one of the handsomest
men size had ever seen In her life came
striding from il towards her. A gentle
man Enthusiastically, clad in garments Of
the most costly material, and as he
doffed his, plumed hat in honor OF the
lady he revealed a noble head adorned
with silky, dark hair which fell il curls
on his shoulders, while he had refined,
aristOcratic features and large, luminous
eyes of the softest hazel.
Miss Greatorex-come to ask a nights
lodging from Mrs. Winton," said the
man at the door with an evil smile, blu
falling back with great respect before
the newcomer, who was evidently his
superior.
Cicely repeated her explanation, and
at once, with a profound salutation, the
stately gentleman begged her TO come
in and max herself at home. assuring
her that the whole house was at her
disposal.
Il trust" he said, in a singularly
musical voice. lit will not disappoint
you 10 find hat Mrs Winton has been
obliged TO go TO London on account of
her sons illness, and she has kindly al
lowed me the use of the hall for a few
lays while 1 had TO be in the n~eighbor-
hood on business. / regret that l have
no la0X mere To- dSSlSl mc III SitOWlH6
you every attention; but a suitable
sleeping apartment shall be Immediately
prepared for you, and if you will con-
descend to accept my poor hospitality
you may rest assured that all due honor
and respect will be paid to you"
Cicely felt that she had really no al
tentative. She knew that there was not
any house within a long distance where
she could obtain a nights lodging, and
although it was a little awkward tnat
there was 10 lady to receive her, she
felt she might be quite at her ease with
this courtly gentleman, as he was a
friend of Mrs. Winton.
You are very kind" she answered.
"I fear 1 nave no choice left but to tres
pass on your hospitality, as L am a very
long way from my own home at
Greatorex Manor, but 1T will be only
for this one night; my coachman Will
bring my carriage for me early In the
morning with another pair of horses"
'It can only be matter of regret that
your honored visit will be so short re-
piled the exquisitely polite gentleman.
Madam, 1 was just about to partake
of a slight SUPPER; might L have the
felicity of inducing o to share it with
me?"
Cicely was nothing loath to accede to
this polished request, for she was In
truth ~ravenously hungry, and her most,
endin a very delicate white hand,
gently grasped the tips of her fingers
and led her to the dining room.
There an excellent repast had been
provided, mainly composed of chickens
which a short time before had been I'M
ming about in Mrs. Winton's poultry
yard, and some of the finest old wine
out Of her cellars was placed on the
table. Two or three men, similarly at
tired to the one who had opened the
door to her, waited upon her and her
host, and although it must be owned
they did not appear TO be much accus-
toned to the duty. yet they acquitted
themselves fairly well under the caretul
directions of their master.
He meanwhile entertained his guest
with very brilliant conversation; he
| spoke Of London and the court, mi ap-
peared to be we'll acquainted with the
most prominent persons in society. lie
d~iscoursed on the modes and on bellies
~lettres, and repeated some new maori
gals in the soft tones Of his insinuating
voice, and it must be owned that Cicely
soon became greatly fascinated by MN,
and thought she had never in her lie
met so agreeable a gentleman.
This impression was deecened when
after supper ne asked her If she was
fond of music, and, taking up a guitar
which had been left in the room, he &C
companied himself on it while he sang
some pathetic love songs or unexcep-
tionable quality, with a richness or
melody and sweetness OF expression
which quite c~aptivated her senses. She
passed the most delightful evening
imaginable. She WIS by no means, as
a rule, a susceptible u lady, and
had been wooed in vain by many elgl
BILE suitorS who much desired TO appro-
pirate the comedy heiress and her broad
lands; but for the first time in all her
days she was entirely subjugated by
the destinations of her charming host.
She regretted the swift passing of the
hours, when the evening, deepening into
night, obliged her, from a sense of pro-
priety, unwillingly to intimate that it
was time she retired to rest. He also
| expressed his regret, but was too re-
spectful to seek to detain her. He
lighted a wax taper and asked TO be al
lowed to precede her through the dark
passages to the door of her room Walk
ing in advance Of her to light the way,
she could not but admire his tall, attn
letic figure and the grace of his move
ments. Arrived near the room which
she knew to be the most luxurious in
the house, he gave the light into her
hand, expressed a hope that her SUM
bers might be sweet and calm as those
of an infant, and that he should have
the honor Of seeing her at eakfas on
the following morning, and then, bowling
profoundly over the hand she extended
to him. he took his leave and departed
down the stairs.
II.
Cicely went into her bedroom, where
everything had been made ready for her,
in a whirl Of delight and excitement.
Who could this enchanting parsonage
be? she pondered; evidently a man of
the first rank, accustomed to the high
est society-a duke p~erhaps-how glad
she was she had met him. The &C
quaintance must not stop here, and with
that she began to comb out her long
fair tresses and make ready for bed, as