The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-04

vicar decided TO regard them as the spurious
usurpers OF the name Of which he and his
son were the last representatives stun he
was.far from satisfied with this vague infor-
nation. and the defensive reticence which
gave it.
But the nature of his studies had taught
him patience, ard he loved a mystery. Mrs.
Warlock had brought one to his gates.
moreover he felt that in his capacity as
historian and genealOgist or the Warlockz
ne had a right to know the secrets of all
who bore the name.
Thenceforward, although he refrained
from asking her any direct questions on the
subject of her husband, he remained on the
watch for some elew.
Who is she? Where does she come from ?
Why has she Gomez Until he could give
an answer TO these questions the vicar Tet
that his curiosity would never be relieved.
But ne was a pleasant, kindly old gentleman,
and Mrs. Warlock accepted his courtesies
With pleasure:
And so the summer days went pleasantly
by until Hubert Warlock came TO stay at
the vicarage, and introduced new and I'M
expected element into the problem.
The day he arrived Ethel and her mother
were in the vicdrage garden.
Let me introduce you TO Mrs. Warlock,
Hubert said his father, who ought to be
cousin of ours, but refuses kinship.
Only because honesty will not let me
claim it, she answered smilingly.
Fresh from India, Hubert Warlock, pos
sib.y on that account, thought she was the
most beautiful woman he had seen.
her voice her grey eyes, full of soft light
larly gentle and winning manner, charmed
him
She's like a Madonna he said to his
father when she was gone ''You never
told me how lovely she was!"
We'll, Hubert that was an oversight
You see the genealogical side of the ques-
ton chiefly appealed to me-
What do you know about her?"
Absolutely nothing. / believe she was
married to ? Warlock, but / can't trace
him. 1t seems he died in Africa, and was
an American"
But her knowledge of this place and it's
associations seems to connect his family
with it,"
she hints clearly enough that her mar
ried life was unhappy, but makes no secret
of her repugnance to talk of it,.
You want an intelligence department"
said his son; I'll collect the data, you
shall put it together
But Hubert Warlock was only half in
earnest, for, however great his curiosity
admiration had blunted it's edge. and his in
was but moderate. Instead. therefore, of
prying into the private affairs of his new
acquaintance. the young man in reality pro-
tected her against the researches of his
father.
You can't possibly fall in love with
woman of whom you know absolutely moth
ms" Hubert Warlock said to his father,
as an excuse when the old gentleman half
laughingly limited at the danger.
But in reality the mystery surrounding
Mrs. Warock spread a. romantic atmosphere
about her that increased it, This interest
begot sympathy and sympathy was merg-
ms itself into passion.
Meanwhile Ethel, a singularly nervous and
shy child became devoted to her new friend
Hearing the vicar address his son as HUI
bert, the child had also insisted on calling
him by his Christian name. a habit the
young man encouraged. 1t was pleasant to
see the girl with an air of proprietorship
leading the young soldier round the vicar
age garden and the mothers heart was
sometime strangely stirred