The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-29

day of that time, and know me and the farm
and the life, you can pretty well guess how
it will be when you marry one another"
Miss Jane Lumley dropped this remark as
a small bono before he- stepbrother's
orphan son. Richard Lumley, and her sis
ter's orphan daughter Ellen Arden. as they
rested on the window seat of the parlor at
Dowden farm.
Richard looked up in surprise and gave
a soft amused laugh as he glanced at Ellen;
It was hard to see whether interest. en-
barrassment, or merely amusement lay in
his sleepy eyes. But Ellen's face was turned.
flaming with sudden anger, towards Miss
Jane. in speechless amazement Miss Jane
herself twitched at little knot in her knit
ting and did not raise her eyes.
Twelve months before this October day
Richard Lumley- and Ellen. Arden had
reached DOwden farm from different parts
of England to make their home there at
Miss Jane Lumley's request, and on their
arrival found kindness, comfort, occupation,
and independence awaiting them.
Ten minutes before the moment at which
this story begins Richard Lumley and Ellen
Arden had strolle6 into the parlor suspect
ing nothing-Richard with a fine brown
beetle in his hand wrapped in a folded ieaf,
4~llCn with l+CI Aldl4uS llAil OL QOWUY UdNel-
ers jOy'-and had seated themselves on the
window seat to chat awhile with Miss Jane
before disposing of their treasures.
It was after they had laughed over
Richards desertion of the turnip field, where
lie was overseeing the stacking of the roots,
to climb the oak tree by the gate for the
beetle which he had spied aloft; and after
they had enjoyed Ellen's town-bred aston
ishment at her first sight of the silky clus-
tiers OF over-bown travellers joy" that
Miss Jane broke the short pause which fol-
lowed by dropping her bomb-like remark;
and the whole atmosphere became charged
with something strong but suppressed.
"How-how can you say such things, Aunt
Jane?' broke out Ellen at last. her face
study in wrath and modification.
why shouldn't u" inquired Aunt Jane,
calmly.
Il can't bear jokes of that Sort" Ellen
answered in disgust.
Bless, you child I'm no joker!" ex-
claimed Aunt Jane.
LAS if we ever thought of such thing as
as marrying-each other" continued
Ellen, Indignantly.
I'll be bound Dick has remarked the old
lady.
Dick laughed his lazy laugh again, then
rose and made for the door. His face was
trife hotter than usual, and he did not favor
Aunt James mode of procedure, therefore
he discountenanced it by withdrawal.
How could you, Aunt Jane?" began
as soon as the door was closed. "Oh, how
how could you treat me sop
well, my dear, I never had much pa
thence with dawdling ways, and there are
several little business matters I can't settle
an
thought 1 would help you both on little"
But should you think of such a
thing? / wouldn't marry Dick now-no-
not if he We're to ask me fifty times"
He won't 10 that" said Miss Jane,
grimly. And I'll give you word of adj
vice, Nellie she added kindly. Don't you
be foolish when you care for a man."
Ellen, as soon as the door was closed. ooh,
ment, coupled with her blunt words, stung
her keenly. Dick has terrible hot tenn
per when once it's reused, and he doesn't
forget easily"
Hot temper!' repeated Ellen, scornfully.
Hes too lazy and easy-going to have any
temper, hot or cold. l don't believe he cares
a straw for any one thing in the world more
than for any other-unless, she added con-
temptuously its a butterfly or beetle"
After which declaration she fiounced out Of
the parlOr and went upstairs.
Ellen had intended going to her own room
TO find relief in being very angry, all alone;
but as she neared Dicks office door it &C.
CURED to her that the relief would be greater
if she could say something to Dick himself
first to assure him that Aunt James be-
havior was unwarranted and that-weI she
would soon let him understand how she her
self felt
She raped on the door peremptoriy, and
Dick called out, Come in" He was stoop-
ing over his beetle case as she entered, and
he looked UP and smiled with comical rue
fulness as he met her eyes.
Il don't know how you can smile about
it." Ellen said coldly. Il see nothing amus-
ing in such treatment, if you like it."
Good gracious 1 didn't like it" he
began
Il should think not" she interrupted.
wincing under this added humiliation. 1t
was maddening to know that Dick hated
it. too.
L didn't like the dear old lady's way CT
setting about it," he resumed but" COM
fortingly, lit doesn't make much differ
ence."
mo, of course it doesn't make much diff
ference" she assented, haughtily. The idea
of marriage between us is out of the ques-
ton. but no one enjoys being insulted"
II didn't mean that Nellie he proteste Ell.
Il sincerely hope that marriage between us
is not out of the question Aunt Jane,
thinking, 1 suppose. that it would be a nice
arrangement tried to hurry matters. 1t
was not very pleasant for us, but ] daresay
she was right in one way. l have been
dawdling over the matter.
What do you mean" she demanded with
flashing eyes.
Don't be angry, dear. I meant to have
asked you to marry me, but somehow
You meant TO ask me 70 marry you
she interrupted, furiously; and L suppose
you couldn't bring yourself 10 do it. Per-
haps you don't realize how you are insulting
me. OH she broke out. stamping her foot.
how l hate you! how / hate you! What
have 1 done TO make you treat me SOP"
But, Nellie" he protested you must be
making some mistake. What is wrong? How
have I.insulted you? I wouldn't do such a
thing for the world, did mean to ask you
to be my wife-I do now-but--well, the days
were so pleasant. put it off; just played
with happiness. I felt somehow, almost
afraid of breaking the charm"
You thought, no doubt, as Aunt Jane did,
that it would be a nice arrangement she