The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-07


moved slowly away into the moonlight.
Then he rose again and, for a long time.
the room was empty.
1t was empty when Mrs. Benson came In
some time later to say goodnight to her
son on her way to bed. She walked slowly
round the table, and, pausing at the win
dow, gazed from it in idle thought until she
saw the figure of her son advancing with
rapid strides to the house. He looked up
at the window.
Goodnight" said she.
Goodnight" said Benson. In deep
voice
Where is Wilfred?"
"Oh. he has gone" said Benson.
"Gone?"
1--WE had a few words; he was wanting
money again, and 1 gave him piece of my
mind. 1 don't think we shall see him
again.
Poor wilfred." sighed Mrs. Benson. HE
is always in trouble of some sort. hope
that you were not too hard upon him."
mo more than he deserved" said her
son. sternly. Goodnight"
II.
The well, which had long ago fallen into
,, disuse. was almost hidden by the thick tan
gle of underground which ran riot at that
corner of the old park. 1t was partly COW
cred by the shrunken half of a lid, above
which rusty windlass creaked in company
with the music of the pines when the wind
~ Fr,I.1
never reached 1t. and the ground surround
ing it was moist and green when other
parts of the park were gaping with the
heat.
Two people walking slowly round the
park in the fragrant stiffness of summer
evening strayed in the direction of the
we'll
mo use going through this Wilderness
Olive" said Benson, pausing on the out
skirts of the pines and cycling with some
disfavor the gloom beyond.
BEST part of the park said the girl
briskly; you know it's my favorite spot"
az know you're very fond of sitting on the
coping" said the man slowly, land / wish
you wouldn't. One day ySu will lean back
too far and fall in
"And make the acquaintance of Truth"
said Olive lightly. ''Come along"
She ran from him and was lost In the
shadow Of the pines. the bracken crack
ling beneath her feet as she ran. Her
companion followed slowly, and emerging
from the gloom saw her poised daintily
on the edge of the well with her feet hid
den in the rank grass and nettles which
surrounded It. She motioned her compan-
ion to take a seat by her side. and smiled
softly as she felt strong arm passed
about her waist.
s'I like this place." said she, breaking a
long silence. cit is so dismal-so uncanny
Do you know / wouldn't dare to sit here
| alone. Jem. 1 should imagine that all sorts
Of dreadful things were hidden behind the
bushes and trees, waiting to spring out on
me-. Ugh!
You'd better let me take you in." said
her companion tenderly; 1.-THE well isn't
always wholesome. especially in the hot
weather. Let's make a move"
The girl gave an obstinate little shake,
and settled herself more securely on her
seat
Smoke your cigar in peace" she said
quietly. ST am settled here for quiet talk.
Has anything been heard Of Wilfred YETI"
Nothing"
it?" she continued Another scrape, I
suppose, and another letter for you in the
same old strain: Dear Jem help me OUT"
Jem Benson blew cloud of fragrant
smoke into the air. and holding his cigar
between his teeth brushed away the ash
from his coat sleeves.
ct wonder what he would have done with
out yo1," said the girl, pressing his arm
affectionately. Gone under long ago, I
suppose. When we are married, Jem, I shall
presume upon the relationship to lecture
him. He is very wild. but he has his good
points, poor fellow"
ST never saw Them" said Benson, with
startling bitterness. 'God knows I never
saw them"
HE is nobody's enemy but his own"
said the girl, startled by this outburst.
'You don't know much about him." said
the other, shortly. HE was not above
bIackmail; not above running the life of
friend to do himself benefit. A loafer,
a cur, and liari''
The girl looked up at him soberly but
timidly, and took his arm without word,
deepened into night and the beams Of the
moon, altering through the branches, sur
rounded them with a silver network. Her
head sank upon his shoulder, till suddenly
with sharp cry she sprang to her feet.
what was that?" she cried breathlessly.
what was what?" demanded Benson.
springing up and clutching her fast by
the arm.
She caught her breath and tried to laugh.
You're hurting me, Jem.'
His hold relaxed
what is the matter?' he asked gently.
what was 1t startled your"
'I was startled" she said. slowly putting
her hands on his shoulder. 81 suppose the
words used just now are ringing in my
ears, but fancied that somebody behind
US whispered, lem. help me out "
Fancy" repeated Benson, and his voice
shook; "but these fancies are not good for
you. You-are frightened-at the dark. and
the gloom of these trees. Let me take you
back to the house."
mo, I'm not frightened" said the girl.
reseating herself. 81 should never be
really frightened of anything when you
were with me, Jem. I'm surprised at my
self for being so silly
The man made no reply, but stood. a
strong dark figure. yard or two from the
well. as though waiting for her to Join
him