The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-26

Mrs. McLane was suf1cient-
~ well to take the open air. but did not
look sufficiently well, in her own opin-
ion. to take the hint. nor did Mrs. Graf
ton too eagerly urge. BY this time the
hostess was fully convinced that Fanny
was far from being the frank, confding
creature she had pictured herself to be:
that she a come TO Sedgwick with
other purpose in view than that of seek
ing the sympathy and counsel of her
erstwhile schoolmate; that she was con-
cealing from her. to whom she once
longed to un5osom her every thought,
some vital and thrilling circumstance,
and. worst of all. hat Captain Grafton
now knew what il was and wouldn't
tell. This perhaps was almost unpar-
donabIe. In vain had Mrs. Grafton in
situated. inquired, insisted n finally
implored. Her husband was gentle, but
obdurate.
Il know nothing. Harriet" he simply
said. Il do, perhaps, conjecture, but all
i conjecture is derived from that dis
patch, the contents of which SHOULD be
seen and known only by your friend the
your friend and once-upon-s-time
bridesmaid. If she chooses to tell you,
well and good, but l cannot"
But he told Mrs. Mc1ane what he had
read without telling what he conjectured,
and then furthermore told her what he
had d~one-wired TO Aun Charlotte that
her niece was Frustrated by the receipt
of her dispatch and might not be able
to reply for several days. so Aunt Char
lotte was existing without further knowl-
edge of the condition Of her niece as
placidly. let us hope. as was her niece
without further knowledge of the condi-
tion OF her uncle.
1t was on this third day when the doc
tor left. after saying Mrs. McLane
ought to go and take a drive or a ride,
that Grafton wrote TO her a few words
reporting that he had read Aunt Char
lotte's dispatch and replied TO 1t as above
stated. This note he sent in by Annette.
Mrs. Grafton was receiving ~sympathiz-
ing callers at the moment. and the cap
tain babe Annette say that II he could
be of any further service Mrs. McLane
should let him know. Presently An
nette returned with a note.
Il am so distracted" IL said. $50
friendless I do not know what TO do.
You are the only man upon whose coun-
sci / can depend, but even that is denied
me. for Harriet has turned cold and I'M
kind. Because L cannot tell her the
secrets OF others she thinks me false to
our old friendship, and she has changed
to me so much hat were / able to travel
i should go at once. only how could We
explain? Oh. 1 long 10 tell you the whole
story, but / cannot / must not! And
i must not do that which might increase
her suspicion But here Grafton be-
further, though there were half a dozen
lines on the following page, but tossed
the whole thing into the open fireplace.
tramped right upstairs and tapped at
the guest room door.
Can you come to the door a moment
Mrs. McLane?' he asked
There was the sound OF sudden rush
and rustic within. then her light football,
the clack of the doorknob and her voice,
low and sweet. Is.
You startled me so,' she said through
the inch-wide aperture that appeared,
but left her invisible. II dreaded that
1t was another telegram. Oh, I'm not
fit TO be seen. but"
II don't WI don't need to see you,
Mrs. McLane," said he stoutly. 1--WE can
onvers perfectly well, as Annette is be-
low stairs. All i wish to say is this: IL
j can be of service-in sending off any
letters or dispatches to your friends
command me. But really, Mrs. McLane
there is no need OF telling me anything
about the matter"
But I have TO, Captain Grafton" and
the door opened a bit wider. II must
have your advice. / must do something
right away. and you're the only one who
can help me-"
Then I'll ask Harriet to come here a
once" said he, and, suiting action t
words, started for the stairway.
She rushed out after him, disheveled
pallid. 'Oh, / annot tell Harriet" sh,
Then. Mrs. McLane, you cannot tel
me-"
For a moment she looked at him IL
amaze. ,
II will wire for your lawyer, Mr.. Par
ry." he went on calmly. He can advis,
what / probably could not" -
II cannot advise as you can, cap
TAIN It's a matter he knows nothinl
about. I've got to see Mr.. Merriam, an
he avoids me even worse than you do
I'm in deep trouble" she walled.
Il am sure Mr.. Merriam will come I,
you If there is anything of Importance
said Grafton gravely. II will see him a
stables. and the call is sounding now"
"Oh, not ~to-day-not to-day. To-mor.
row perhaps. but not to-day. 1 really
cannot see him Just yet. I'm so un.
~strung-and he mustn't let her-his wife
know. She'll never resC till she's worried
1t all out OF him."
He will let his wife know said Graf
ton calmly, land is wise in so doing, bu'
she will not be apt TO make inquiries.
Then he turned and left her.
There We're two restless and unhappy
men at Sedgwick now-gunner anC
trcoper-Minturn and Whitaker, and
each at his appropriate stable. manage
10 intercept the troop commander on tn,
way TO his own. each importunate fol
tidings OF the fair invalid, each resentfu
or his indifference and Implying re
spouse. Grafton was a warm friend
where he liked. but an unbeliever and
cynic where he did not. and Grafton be
heved that he had fathomed Fanny Nc
Lanes shallow nature and secret pur
pose, and was intolerant of her to tn,
verge OF rudeness. He loved his wife
He mourne the semi-deception I'm which
she had INDUCED in having, against hi
wishes. brought her former friend within
their gates. But now he looked upor
Harriet as being quite sufficiently pun
ished. and equally willing that Mrs. Nc
Lane should take herself elsewhere. If
therefore, Merriam would see her and d,
OR refuse TO do-that which she de