The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-01
THE CATCH OF THE SEASON.

after The late Mr.. Cochrane. by the n.y.
had died so long ago that he seemed only
20 have existed in order to provide his
widow with very comfortable income,
which she persistently outran.
The particular supper party in question
had followed an evening at a music hall,
and the eight people assembled in the
smoking room were in hilarious spirits.
Mrs. Cochrane herself was as nearly fun
length possible in a low chair, smoking
a cigarette. AT her feet. cross-legged, on
a stool. was noisy youth, and close by
lounged an older man. The next trio was
composed of two very smart women and
a man. They were playing cards and gam
bling recklessly. 1t was under cover of
burst of laughter from the other group that
one of these women glanced round at the
last remaining couple. and said, with
knowing laugh:
What do you bet she's brought it off
tonight? Look at them!"
The two thus alluded to were a young
man and girl. The girl held banjo, and
her face was bent over it as she readjusted
one of the strings The man leaning
forward watching her intently. The full
light Of lamp caught his face. and showed
IT straightforward and even boyish. good
looking, in fair. ragular-featured fashion.
The woman addressed smiled spitefully.
Ralph Hamer has walked into the trap
like the good-natured BOBBY he is" she re-
sponded II suppose Mrs. Cochrane had
the girl up on purpose"
Shes done herself lot of good. by the
way, then" said the man., shutting the
cards. It's given her no end of kudos to
have that girl in tow. Cousin Of Mrs. Coch-
rane's, isn't she?'
chord on the banjo, the girl in the back
ground broke out into song. 1t was popu-
lar street song, with a catchy rhythm, and
she sang it with extraordinary spirit and
dash. In two minutes every one was sing
ing the chorus, and as the noisy burst of
applause died away Mrs. Cochraae rose.
Sylvia" she said, laughing you've
broken up the sitting. A realization of the
feelings Of our neighbors reminds me CT
the fact that it's arly o'clock, and it
time 1 turned every one out"
There was more laughter, noisy leave
taking in the hall, and then Mrs Cochrane
turned and went back to the smoking room.
She went slowly, the smiles dying from her
face before the sharp, calculating express
sion which did duty with her for thought.
fitness. The room bad a dissipated and
disheveled look, and on the hearthrug, with
one hand resting on the :iantelpiece stood
the girl who had sung to the banjo alone.
She was tall girl. and she was wonder
fully pretty. She had a straight little nose.
a CGpid's bow. mouth, and a curiously
strong outline of jaw and chin which gave
the charm of the unexpected to her an
pearance She raised her eyes as Mrs.
Cochrane came in, and her eyes were some
thing of disappointment. They were
large and we'll shaped, but they seemed to
lack depth. She spoke in a clear rather
hard, voice.
should like to speak to you for a mo-
ment, If you are not in hurry"
Mrs. Cochrane cast d somewhat furtive
glance at her.
It's late" she said. carelessly, but
there's no particular hurry"
There was a vague distance and fornalitv
ABOUT the manner of each woman to the
other now, differing noticeably from their
manner to one another in public
II is due to you, the girl went on,
that you should be the first to know that
= am engaged to Sir Ralph Hamer."
Mrs. Cochrane rested one foot on the
fender.
"Ah!' she said, at last She looked I'm in
me girl race again, with a quick in
&ulsltive glance. we'll congratulate you.
There's no doubt that you've made the
catch OF the season. 1t came off this even
ing, l suppose?"
The girl made an impatient gesture of as
Sent, ara then each woman seemed to be
thinking over her next words Mrs Coch
Iane came to conclusion first,
ness-liEe ton nor gfaantea she said in bust
len the hrst condition OF the arrangement
The girl looked at her companion for the
Irst time. There was a curious expression
IN her eyes-relief, defiance and a touch of
You mean-that we should speak to M
one Oh the relation in which we stand? No
''Ah!" said Mrs. Cochrane again She wac
looking attentively into the fire. And for
the future?" -'i
There was no answer. The girl had turned
away ana was twisting her gloves with
oddly herce movements of her fingers A
thin smile touched Mrs. Cochrane's Iips
s so1ie sP pc however, suayely. and with
don't know what your views NAV be. -
she sad; but really, l don't know that you
condition. OF course, / know nothing about
you, she added quickly, and with another
OF OF th2se appraising glances, buff L We're
There was world of suggestion in the
cropping away of her voice, and this time
You mean that you advise me to let Sir
h4lph marry your cousin and guest? she
Mrs. Cochrane shrugged her shoulders.
VI don't advise" she said. But here's the
case We had better call things nv their
1ASHN nantes loF once. i was deSDeratelv
hard up, and / advertised, under the rose
for girl who wanted to be introduced into
society and who was willing to pay a pretty
high figure It's been done by other people
before me, only. of course it doesn't do To
have 1t known. You answered nv adver-
tsement, through your solicitor; we had
an interview; we exchanged references and
we fixed IL up. We neither of us asked un-
necessary questions. and we've got along
very Well Now, of course. L don't particu-
larry wish that Ralph Hamer should know
that I'm reduced to taking a girl into my
house for a consideration. But the question
1s-do you particularly wish it? If | We're
you think / shouldn't"
Again there was no answer The girl was
standing with her head bent. her hands
clenched around the gloves. The elder won1-
an laid her hand suddenly on the round
young arm.
Don't be a fool" she said. You're not
half bad sort, whoever you be, and you
may just as well pull this off, Don't say
anything to him. The Hamers are an awful
~ old family and all that, and frghtfully
proud. lie mightnt make a fuss but-he
might You shall be married from here
don't you know, and afterwards-itll be ali
right"
Sylvia Yorke turned her head slowly. 1t
cannot be said there was any gratitude in
her face. There was bitter smile about her
mouth and her eyes were hard. The most
striking feature in her complex expression
was an lndeScribable contempt-a CONTEMPT
which was not all for Mrs. Cochrane.
Thanks" she said I'm think if over
She disengaged herself deliberately from
Mrs. Cochranes hold, and went out of the
room.
Mrs. Cochrane stared after her blanklv.
wonder she said to herseIf-''I won
der who she is, and | wonder what she'u