The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-05


Kew Gardens It's just in and out again,
but thought I'd plenty of time to catch
the train, and / was on my feet all day
yesterday. Holday-makins the hardest
work there is, in my opinion"
The red-faced female proceeded to smooth
her ruffled feathers. She wore a cloth man
braided and be-cat-furred, and fastening at
the throat by a broad satin ribbon. In her
clumsy and iIritated haste to unite these
strings for more breathing space, she tan
gled the knot and drew it tighter about
her neck.
Il declare I'm chokingr' she snapped,
wrenching ,vieiously at the ribbon.
Let me help YOU" said Helen, seeing the
dilemma, and wishing TO be of use.
Her quiet manner soothed the impatient
WOMAN who, dropping her restless hands,
If you would be so good. ma am. I can't
see the knot; that's the worst of it,
Helen applied herself to the knot, which
IN take off my gloves she said; then
l can unfasten il. "
I'm really sorry to give you such trouble,
ma ann" replied the half-strangled lady.
Break the knot. please, or cut it, or some
thing"
"Oh, nor responded Helen applying her
bare white fingers to the intricacy. 1t was
q tough knot and only yielded to that per-
sistent, persuasive touch as the train en-
tered Kew Gardens station. Here, in an
avalanche of drapery and a profusion of
thanks, the stout lady left the compart-
ment, dragging the dolman round her neck
preparatory TO relying the satin strings.
She smiled and courtesied a grateful fare
WELL which Helen pleasantly returned, as
she settled herself again in her favor1te
corner
Broad Thames was crossed with the usual
lingering up-and-down look, and riding
through the bare market gardens, Helen
put on her right-hand glove. But where
was the other? Not on her lap, not on the
seat. not the floor. A swift but exhaus-
tive search convinced her of this as the
train stopped at Gunnersbury. The glove
1ct in
flutter of the doiman-Wearer'S departure,
and was doubtless lying on the line at Kew
Gardens, perhaps cut in bits by the next
following train.
To be well gloved and shod was one of
Helen'S pet vanities; and thereon this
very morning when she wanted to look her
best, since she could be a memory to him
Observation-Disclosures was her left hand bare.
In all respects her attire was faultless in
serge, with tasty lines of fine braiding;
white collar, cuffs and satin tie, soft felt
hat with cocks plumes, with bright and
still abundant brown hair tastefully coiled
under it; neat bordered kerchief in breast
pocket; cluster of Car violets-and one
glove! d.
but the corner seat waited the advent of
her unknown. Helen glanced ruefully at
her left hand. White, shapely. well-kept,
the true artist hand, it was a prettier sight
than she imagined in her mental humilia-
ton. She did feel Inundated, for her mind
became a sudden prey to one dreadful
barred it for the purpose Otto let him see.
An angry color rose to her face, and it is
not unlikely that she would have raped
the offending bare hand against the wood
work of the door had she been alone. But
eyes of men and women, and of one dread
fully inquiSitiVe child were upon her and
she could possess her soul in such patience
as was hers to command. Had it been the
right hand she might have hidden it in her
Jacket pocket, but the left-side receptacle
in the tailor-built coat was on the breast,
and formed no hiding place for the Offend
ms and intrusive member.
Poor hand, on which shone Eric STAN
hams ring; a solid band of dead gold. with
a four-leaved shamrock in green enamel
raised on the surface 1t had been sent
Stranger whose name she had well nigh
forgotten, though she never failed to recall
the fact that he had tenderly nursed the
lonely lad in his eXiled dying hours.
She had removed her betrothal circlet at
that sad time, putting it away with Eric's
letters, and placing the shamrock ring on
her third finger, had daily worn it since
1t was not an ordinary looking ring-rather
conspicuous, in fact; and Helen nervously
thought that all eyes must be upon it. For
moment she felt tempted to take it off:
but In order to put it in safety she must
ind her purse. The pocket where that lay
was In remote seam of her skirt; indeed,
she was sitting upon it, and the lady next
to her was of so massive a build that the
necessary movement to reach it was almost
impossible; There was nothing to be DONE
therefore, but to keep the hand as much out
OF sight as possible and pretend not to no.
tice it herself
Thus, all flutter and nervousness, Helen
Ifted her eyes at Turnham Green and saw
the unknown enter as usual. Taking his
accustomed seat in the far corner with his
quiet look at her, he unfolded his paper.
Helen slid her offending member ont Of
sight between herself and the Gladstone
bag of her left-hand neighbor and sat look
ing out OF the window. So far good; but
station or two further on the Gladstone
Dag ana It's owner got out, and Helen'S bare
hand lay confessed.
She gave quick, half frightened glance
at the quiet figure in the corner His ewes
were fixed on her hand; his face wore an
expression of surprise, mingled with an
other feeling for which poor confused Helen
could find no name.
Then their eyes met hers timid, almost
lmplorlng: his questioning, anxious and yet
glad, as the eyes of one who has discovered
an unexpected way out of a difficulty. Hell
len, covered with confusion, turned her head
away; she could feel that he looked con-
stantiy from her hand to her face; she felt
tco, that there was something unusual in
MS Steadfast regard, and the troubled curl
csity which this feeling awoke kept her for
the time being. from dwelling on the sor-
rowful knowledge that she might never see
him again.
But at last sadness must needs be upper
most, and in leaving the carriage she stole
a shy glance at him. To her Surprise, he
deliberately folded his paper and stepped
on 10 the platform. Helen turned quickly
away, hear heart beating almost to suffo-
cation in the sudden access of wonder, and
ner ilinbS trembled as she passed up the
double staircase and out of the station. She
could not look back, but she knew that q.
firm footstep followed her, unfamiliar vet
having no sense of Strargeness
The way to her new home, which she had
intended to visit before commencing her
teaching round, lay in the opposite direction
to that which she usually went but in her
confusion she forgot all about the fat
Acting upon impulse, or, perhaps prece-
dent, she stepped into a blue bus waiting
outside the station, and, taking seat at
the far end, looked out of the front win
dow. A little farther on, when the con-
ductor took her fare, she found herself
alone in the vehicle. Helen left the sbus at
kensington Church, though usually hIight-
ing at Holland Park, and hurried along the
High street without one backward look or a
moments delay.
But she knew, by some shy. womanIy in
stinct, that he followed. He must have
taken an outside seat on the bus What
did it mean? What could she do? She
was some distance from any pupil she could
call upon. and a long way from her new
home At Palace Gardens she turned into
the open space with a hasty resolve
Il will get into Church street by the hack
of the barracks" she thought land take
the bus to Radcliffe Gardens
She walked a little farther the footsteps
behind her quickened, came close, went a
pace in front; then the unknown stopping.
raised his hat
Miss Percival, I Think he said NAV
beg the favor of few words with your
Il am Miss Percival," she stammered:
butt do not know you