The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-24

| ly to reach an amicable agreement if such
| a request came to their knowledge after
Nearly a year had elapsed since Esther
| had seen this man. When they did meet
| 1t only in formal fashion. Although
| he lived but q few miles away, their in
| terests, their friends, their paths were
| widely diverse. He had been expected to
| be at the lawyers Office to-day. but some
! business having detained him it had been
| left to Miss Wainwright to consult with
J him as to their new duties at her own con-
| venience.
Where and when should she talk with
| him! Evidently atsthe Dyett house. In a
| of new owners; then the interview must
| take place soon, while that rendezvous re-
manned to them. Not for any consldera-
| ton or reason would she ask him 10 come
| to her own home Why, had it not been
| in this very room that
| Esther Wainwright looked about her fur
| lively, with frightened eyes. Memory had
| her in it's power tonight.
| The next day her weakness had passed.
| Deborah's brow cleared she saw By her
mistress's self-possessed manner and the
| expression of her face that her usual
! ability and common sense had reasserted
Il expect to bring Kitty home with me
! tonight" said Miss Wainwright to the
housekeeper, and the latter fingered in the
| doorway to look after her mistress while
Esther took her quick way down the
street.
! stepped on it," was Deborah's compliment
| but never knew before how she despised
Mr.. Dyett. Though one spell she favored
| him more'n any of 'em. But none of 'em got
| her, not one" Deborah finished triumphant
ly; the meres fact of Esther's monotonous
life failed utterly to convince her that all
the elgibIes in the city would not flock to
| the Wainwright door provided Esther's
| bright eyes ever cleaned eneouragingly.
Those eyes cleaned now, and the curved
| lips were firmly set when Miss Wainwright
| reached the Dyett house and ran up the
rs Mr. Dyett here. Maggie?" she asked
of the maid who answered her ring.
Yes, ma'am. He's waiting for you In the
Esther moved unhesitatngly to the little
drawing room. from whence the ornaments
had been removed. AS she passed between
the portieres she saw at once the OBJECT Oh
| her search
He was standing his feet apart, and his
| back 20 her, examining a painting on the
wall One of the hands crossed behind him
| held the gloves he had just taken of, ana
his silk hat lay on bare table near by. ne ne
was well dressed, and. as he turned ms
| clear-skinned face had care-free look
rather unusual in man of forty.fye
now ~ y stepp pee and
| hands met perfunctoriiy. You're not SELL
ing that Corot with the house, I hope and
| he turned back for another appreciatiVe
look. THAT was always pet of mine"
| The color few to her cheeks, yet What
other greeting did she expect from Jud 1ls;5 n
| there was a shadow of hope that he might
yield to the request she had determined to
| make.
mo doubt Kitty will be glad to have. you
store ii for her until she has home of her
| own" she replied
| "A home of her own. He gave q snort
| largh. won't you sit"
She accepted the chair he placed, and he
| took one near; and his eyes ran quickly
| over her neat figure
How old is the little rascal?
Kitty is nineteen, said Miss VAIN
"Ia! We thought ourselves grown up at
nineteen didn't we?' His look Intercepted
How did he dare, Esther felt tremulous as
she leaned back and loosened the feather boa
around her neck.
| nineteen is a child" she replied. What is
your response to the word l sent you TINS
II was always glad to do anything 1 could
for Lucy. l am glad to, still. Kitty and
are @B Sref the care of girl of that age would
be really inconvenient for man situated as
| you are
you disapprove of the arrangement?
''It seems to me wholly unnecessary.
"Then you did not cooperate with Lucy
Fsther's eyes flashed at him. 81 did not"
| He smiled at her thoughtfully, striking one
| palm softly with his gloves. Il beneve you'
she felt with anger that she was coloring
to the roots of her hair 1T is excessively
disagreeable to me to act wth-With anyone
| in this matter she said hurriedly. Il was
| prepared to do everything for Kitty myseI;
and--and Lucy, of course, only appointed
| you Out ~ oSilSCJ " 10y -
Very kind. and very proper returned
| her COMPANION. with the same irritating
| composure I'm fond of Kitty. I have. no
| child of my own 1t was very thoughtful OF
| Lucy to rescue her for half the year from
! home where / should never nave peeh dsheu
"Judson, you know-you know I would
neyN Wh r9s Should p was the quiet response
1--WE can only judge of the future by the
past" .rhoo
| is no need to prolong this interview she
| said quickly. II had slight nope when
in that you TGqId be %rag 70 she
| paused and looked at him. If you Will 90
SO, I promise to send her to visit you four
Dyett arose also. his eyes still resting on
the slender black-clothed form before MIN;
| II believe you haven't q gray nalr, rs
Their" he remarked, musingly, meeting her
iiS She bit her lip at the irrelevance This
there ever anything in life serious to you?"
''Didnt say you were unjust?' he asked
She looked full in his eyes. "Then you in
sist on your rights in this matter"
| ct see my chance to share something with
you at last You would have me refuse
Eyes. / would She smiled at him Bit
| terly "a small reason, surely. Not worth
| mentioning for moment.
| He nodded. THE same tongue. the very
| same Oh, what a fool was to have minded
| it in the long ago. IL nau DeeH q llIllS
older and wiser at the time, could have
got over that trouble of yours, Esther" He
| returned her smile as it faded. BY this
time you would have done with sharpness,
| he added.
For moment she stood dumb at his au-
| dacity Perhaps you will agree to leave
this question to Kitty?' she went on; when
she could speak, standing very straight ana
ignoring his speech. ~
why, yes" he answered, slowly. Il
think that would be safe.
| She took a quick step toward the door,
| He placed a OBTAINING hand on her arm,
and she shrank back from it.
"One moment. please. It's as we'll not to
preiudice the child. Ell? Let her think that
we are-er-that we are"
''Friendly, of course, yes. You agree that
if she chooses to live wholly with me you
'fYes. provided, of course I have the run
| of the house. 1 must keep an eye on my
| brothers child. On the other hand: if she
elects to live with me you VIII at all times
| be WELCOME under our roof;
Miss Wainwright regarded him, mute and
| he raised himself gently on his toes. his
| hands crossed behind him, as he returned
| her gaze with a faint smile
II see that nothing will induce you to
treat the situation otherwise than facetious-
| ly' she said. coldly.
| like Name your own terms, if you object
to mine. 1 will see IL l can agree with
"if YOU have a spark of kindness-if you
are not positively malicious. you will agree
| with them.
| s'Tn that case i surely SHALL
Then this is the way it shall be. Pro-
vided Kitty elects to live with me, / send
| her to visit you at stated times and seasons.
| Provided she elects to live with you, you