The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-09

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followed fell almost noiselessly on the thick
carpet.
t~wenty-eight walked up to the fire, and
stood warming his hands while he beamed
gentally on tie occupant of the large chair.
What a girl you are for fire, Nellie!" he
observed. Il called in at your mothers on
my way home, and she wouldn't believe we
had one in the end of April until / told her
l was prepares to swear to II"
She looked at him witt a sort of loving
admiration in her eyes, which to q calm
observer would have seemed totally I'M
called for, considering that he was rather
short and square, and that his warmest adj
mirers could only have described him as
ordinary looking. Perhaps, however, Nell
looked below the surface.
That's what made you so late. ] sup
pose" she replied. Il went to sleep and
dreamed about YOU" with a smile as
beaming as her husbands.
That's right, dear. / always say you do
the right thing, even in dreams. WHATS
letters on her knee.
She followed his gesture, and sat up with
a tragical expression.
"Oh, Tom, such an awful thing has hap-
pened this afternoon
Good gracious. what is it? Break it
gently, Nell. Have you bought an unbe-
coming hat, or has the cook given notice..
Don't be silly. It's much, much worse.
1T isn't anything really serious, Is IL?
1t is awfully serious. Tom, do you re-
member Dick Herring?'
Herring? oh. yes, to be sure l do. Mrs.
Brale; The boy you bestowed your juvenile
affections on"
He wasn't a boy with just resentment
at his calmness, land he was handsome
very handsome
Tom Brale did not look at all disturbed.
"Oh, was he? Well, anyway. Nellie, you
preferred to take a fellow who loved you
more, if he is precious ugly, didn't you?
'Oh, you're not ugly. darling" impetu-
ously. Il always hated fair, tall men-so
l~amp-pOSty."
Her husband chuckled contentedly, and,
in acknowledgment of the very sincere fiat
terry, sat down close TO her and took her
hand, playing with it caressingly.
Then she required to her subject. I.
But, Tom. do tell me what to do. When
he went away-I-I told him l would wait
for him-I was dreadfully silly, you know,
dear, and quite a baby; and now he's come
home, and wants to see me-"
She gazed at him with an expression of
resigned horror, which became mixed with
wrath when her husband simply leant back
and laughed amusedly.
Poor fellow; very hard lines on him"
he observed, with another laugh. How did
you hear it?"
Why. he's staying at the Alba Hotel
and wrote to mother. and, instead of ex-
planning things to him-she might nave
done that-she simply sent the letter on to
me, and wired him that he would find me
here, and, of course, he'll think I'm stay
ing here, or something. and he'll come and
GALL know he will. Oh. what shall l do?
Tom, don't laugh so. | shall shake YOU if
you can't be sensible"
mo. don't do that, Nellie. Your muscular
force is tremendous. Why. you weigh over
TO do? Well, my dear child, if you will get
yourself into such predicamerts-. II see
him II you like. but doubt if it will com
would"
Cant you write?'
We'll. I could. but it would be so difficult
to explain in writing, you see. Besides, he
talks of coming tonight. OF course sud-
not" ~ i" L YOU" id'"ei
Brale put his hand under his wife's chin,
and turned her face toward his.
RNallin - n q % III rrFsn alx r. 40 liz
at all in that way. / know well enough
that you care for me as much as-as / love
you with a smile. IF you think you had
better see him, I'm perfectly willing that
you should"
She bent her head and bestowed a kiss
on the why hand that held hers, but made
said:
IN see him then. But you'll be here too,
"Oh, by Jove! I'd rather not, Nell. Don't
you see how. awfully small l should look?
Herring raging in despair, you repentant
and humble, and I in the background as
the perfidious villain who undermined your
young love. No, thank you, dear, the part
wouldn't meet nv views"
"Repentant, indeed. Tom. if 1 can't
shake you, I can pull your hair" with a
glance at her husbands dark, close-cropped
sense. Me repentant!'
She finished with a fine scorn, which
changed through the house. She sprang up
and clutched Brale's arm frantically.
Here he is, 1 do believe! That's the
I say, let me go, Nellie. You must pay
the penalty OF your own misdeeds. you
know, without dragging in people who
haven't anything to do with them. If he
wants knocking down. ring the bell, and I'll
come. No, can't stop. On my honor,
couldn't stand itH'
The last words were lost as Brale van
ished through a second door which commu-
nicated with a passage leading to his sur
Nell looked after him; then. with a ges-
ture of despair, dropped into her seat, and
caught up a stray number of a paper. She
was gazing at the pages upside down. when
the door opened, and M Herring was
announced.
grown into a very handsome fellow during
his exile, and the air of extreme embarrass-
ment, not to say shyness, with which he
physique.
Nell rose to her feet flushing holly, but
as she saw his nervousness, her self-pos-
session came back a little.
She held our her hand.
so good of you to come so soon" she
said pleasantly. Won't you sit down."
Herring stammered something in reply,
and took the chair she Indicated. Nell sud-
denly felt possessed with q wild desire to
ideal meeting of parted lovers.
o course, you expected me to come to
you as soon as I got back. didn't your
asked Herring, looking at her more boldly
now that he was seated. Il told you 1
should before l went away
Nell began to shake.
t'Yes." She said. hurriedly. "Of course, we
are all gla5 20 see you. 1 hope you have
had good fortune since you have been
away"
"Oh, yes, thanks; yes. / am very we'll off
now. It's a long time, isn't it?'
"It's-it's a very long time"
Dick Herring nodded and gazed at the
fire with a troubled expression in his hand
some face. Nell looked furtively at him. It
was ~dreadfully sad that this poor fellow.
who was so handsome. should love her so
much. She did hope he wouldn't break his
heart.
such a lot of things happen in seven
years" she Ventured. after a short silence.
She would lead up to it very gently.
They do he responded, hurriedly.
Changes in everything and everybody in
that time, aren't there?"
'Oh, yes; of course, even things that
tina some people would think oughtn't to
change do. and it's quite right mean, it's
not unnatural, and you mustn't be surprised
or sorry. must you?"
mo, no. not at all. You and / were-er-
great friends in old times, weren't We?
But perhaps you have forgotten all that?'
Poor fellow. The moment had come for
the fatal blow. AS Tom said, it was hard
seven years, and he was looking at her so
anXiouSly. too.
She twisted her hands uncomfortably.
we were very, very young then, weren't
we?"
Very. Really not much more than chill
dren."
Did he begin to suspect? 1t was very
good of him TO try to help her out; and
still his troubled eyes never. left her face.