The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-17
BY MUTUAL CONSENT

1T was a bright morning in May, and she
had strolled with me to the garden gate.
against which three bicycles were propped.
Why she exclaimed, ARE not Irene and
You going by yourselves?
mo, we thought it only kind to ask Dora
to accompany u.s.
A reflective look passed over Mrs. Ken
yon's face.
Dora is leaving uskto-morrow,' she re-
marked. Her father says, he must be in
the hum of things again.
But surely the hum does not claim his
daughter as well %
"A daughters place." said Mrs Kenyon,
somewhat severely, lis by her fathers
side
Yes, of course ] murmured
Il have been thinking she continued
after pause, that Irene and you will he
settling down shortly"
Irene was Mrs. Kenyon's niece Some
time ago the thought had occurred to her
that we were suited to one another. She
had devoted her attention to the matter
with her usual completeness of method, and
the subsequent engagement was a matter
of course.
Il can't say that we have settled as to
the exact date" 1 SAID
lit is two years since you were first en-
gagged"
Hooked around eagerly to see if the girls
were coming.
DO you know she continued, ST have
discovered the very place for a young couple
AN ideal residence"
Il must go and have a look at it, said
vaguely, with another glance to the rear.
1t seems as if it were built for Irene.
There is a charming study for her, room
with splendid lights that will do for her
paintnS-a gem of a boudoir---"
1T seems q gift from the fairies,'' broke
in. What is ii called?"
''Ha,ton HoUse-withi1 a mile of this It's,
q chance which should on no account be
missed. The only thing is you must decide
within three days"
Not much time" l began.
She turned to me with bright smile.
My proposal is that you should leave the
whole affair i'll my hands. What do you
say?"s
At that moment Irene and Dora Paget
came hurrying across the lawn. put my
finger ON my lips to enjoin secrecy.
What are you plotting?" cried Dora.
oh merely a little surprise for some
body / said, with glance at Irene.
I opened the gate and we wheeled our ma
chimes through. We We're about to mount,
when another cyclist rode up. 1t was Her
bert GSrerson. IL friend.
Il thought you might be riding this morn
Ing he began.
Very happy thought ] said cheerfully;
you will make a fourth, and L shall not
have to talk SO much" ,o,
We mounted our machines anc proceeded
on our way. Presently Dora ana myself
found ourselves tagging g. lite behind.
This isn't at all right, you know, she
remarked
what isn't
Naturally. you should be with Irene"
My dear Miss PaSet. we have the rest OF
She is quite exceptional"
She is very clever, and l admire her I'M
mensely."
Dora laughed.
rs that why you became engaged to
~ = didn't. Mrs Kenyon arranged it for
Dora opened her eyes wonderingly.
Mrs. Kenyon arranged 1t for you she
yes" said, l. she is very thoughtfv,.
She decided it was time for Irene TO marry,
husband. With admirable tao. she man
aged the whole aff9ir-and we are botn very
i&nd YOU sg 5ve ore ano4her?" she asked:
We admire one another" | replied "and
that is an excellent substitute. 49,
oh, they are not. " rerlled trahkty'
"but We shall make allowances. she is clev-
quite commonplace and neve% Eappy un-
less in TIE open air. We shall each follow
cur own inclinations
How about travelling? know you are
irene hates it: she detests ,roughing it
in any form. AS I said. we shall each do as
ave think best: but perhaps. for the sake OF
appearances, ! shall postpone my trip 10
New Zealand fot month or two.
New Zealard!' cried Dora how lovely!
Are YOU going there?
I had thought of it, but I'm afraid shall
have to marry first.
Afraid?
I laughed. -. :.
is time for us to settle down. AS you know,
when Mrs Kenyon thinks, there is general
ly a result And what is more, she mas DIS
covered a house which an architect uncoh-
sciously designed to meet Irene require
"Hov lucky" said Dora
'Yes-isl't il Jolly? have to settle within
three days This is the surprise in store for
Irene
were about two hundred yards in front.
4 when are you going to break the news
some time or other. 1t does not look as if
she would welcome an interruption Just
now. Grierson. who is also studious, can al
ways provide subject OF interes: 70 ner;
That is why encourage the acquaintance.
You are very generous
THAT is hardly the word The principle
involved is one of give and take.
There was silence for a moment or so.
we really must catch them up" said
pedalling a little. Il hear that you leave
tomorrow. The reason given was some
thing about YOUR father and the hum of
things l believe"
yes, father likes to see life from his club
window in Piccadilly; it makes him feel {.
busy" she added with little laugh.
Il often think" / remarked, what a
strange piece of coincidence 1t was that we
should meet as we did and then find that
we We're both intimate friends of Mrs.
Kenyon
/ had been out to South Africa a few
months previously, and on my way home
had met the Pagets, who had come on board
at Madeira
The dear old Dutton Castle" she ex-
claimed those days were the most pleasant
] have ever spent
Yes, they were very charming" / as
scented, with a half sigh; I'VE saw a good
deal OF one another during that short Voy-
age
How can one avoid it on board ship?''
she said; land to think that you never told
me that you We're engaged to Irene!
1t never struck me for a moment that you
We're unaware of my good fortune"
u knew she had become engaged in my
absence. but Mrs. Kenyon had omitted to
say to whom"
Il fancy 1 am not very important in Mrs.
kenyon's eyes, / remarked.
Looking ahead. / noticed that Irene ana
GriersOn We're riding very slowly.
Unless we get off and walk" I said ~
am afraid we shall have TO catch them up