The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-25


time she remained at the Grange by the
doctors orders.
CHAPTER III-FAN HERSELF AGAIN.
Z In little more than a month after Fans
adventure on Mitcham Down she was pro-
nounced convalescent and was to return to
her home in the course OF another week.
When Fan first heard this, in her secret
heart she deeply mourped At the Grange
she had been nursed. and petted. and
waited upon as a queen and heroine
Her own people had come over constantly
to visit her, and the little ones were quite
awestruck when they saw their own mis-
chievous. delightful Fan. who was always
getting into hot water at home. posing as
grand young lady at the Grange.
1t was the first night of Fans coming
Gown TO dinner, she was seated in the
beautiful old drawing room with Herbert,
waiting for Mrs. Lancaster and for dinner
to be announced.
Fan was reclining on a couch near glow
ing fire, and twilight was just beginning
TO fall The girls cheeks were pink once
more. and she wore a lovely dinner dress
"a present from Mrs Charles Lancaster.
Fan had never before worn charming
dress, and she could scarcely refrain
from jumping up TO look at herself in one
OF the quaint mirrors. which here and
there shown in the long room. Fan hoped
earnestly that Mr.. Herbert admired her
dress, whereas he admired her, but had no
idea what dress she was wearing.
He had been telling her of the capture
OF the miscreants and that their revenge
had been baffied through her-and then ST.
lence had fallen. Presently a deep sigh
from Mr.. Lancaster brought Fan back
from the contemplation of her lovely dress.
81 am SO sorry / am going away" said
this outspoken young woman. "Of course,
love my own people dearly, but the rec
tory is not so nice as the Grange. l love
being here. 1 hope you will miss me. Mr..
| Herbert"
| A dark flush crossed his face. more than
| you will miss me, Fan"
"Oh, that is impossible" she cried. But
| looking straight at him after this bold
avowal the girl blushed at the look in his
! eyes, and this blush was the very first
| dawn of womanhood in Fanny Angelina
| Walters.
| A thrill of pleasure came to Herbert Ian
caster on hearing these words, but he no.
once more at her ease remarked:
II always think yours is delightful
family. and almost an ideal home. You
| know / am quiet and reserved. but l enjoy
| going to the rectory'
| I'm one sense, yes; but we are so many
and so noisy. You can't even have head
or toothache, but Lots or Flo or Molly
must be i'll, too, to say nothing of the
babies. And yet they are dear and sweet
| her look melting-"and our mother has
| endless patience with them"
| AS she spoke vision came before her of
the pale sweet face of the mother whom
| she so dearly loved. Straightway Fan fell
into reverie, and the freight flashed over
the girls slight figure and downcast, seri-
Gus face as she made up her mind to be a
pattern daughter for the future.
There was no sound to be heard in the
long room but the signing of the fire, the
wind moaning round the house, and the
| tapping of the rose branches against the
windows. Suddenly, from out the gloom,
a deep and tender voice said:
Fan, / cannot bear to part with you and
yet dare not ask you to stay"
In an instant away went Fans notions OF
reform.
"Stay?" she cried. What do you mean
Indeed L would stay if L only had the
chance"
An uneasy blush colored his brow.
Fan, you are child to me; it seems
cruel to speak, and yet there is only one
way, dear"
Then Fan. CHANGING up in her wondering
simplicity. met the look in his eyes, and
understood. She blushed a rosy red, cast
down her eyes and silence again fell.
Fan, look up and say you forgive me for
my presumption" said the deep and tender
voice once more
Thus adjured Fan timidly raised her eyes
and met so painful and sorrowful looi
that she suddenly sat upright. and saiG
| clearly and slowly
81 have nothing to forgive. only to b.
proud of, and for my own part 1 care fol
you so very much that would leave, al
need, every friend L have. and follow yo,
right through the world. Is this love, Mr.
Herbert" she timidly added, because if sc
| / love your
What words could have been sweeter to
lovers ears? And when Mrs. Lancaster
came in soon after and rejoiced with them
| and took Fan to her heart with deep thank
fitness, there was really no cloud on thai
evenings pure happiness.
But the next morning the parson doomed
big on the horizon.
There is your father to be reckonet
with, Fam" said Mr. Lancaster, uneasily
What will he say?''
"Oh, never mind" replied Fan, airily
"Of course he will be delighted-but If h,
should prove too much for you, just turf
him over to me-
However, to bring the parson round wa:
a harder task than Fanny Angelina ha(
reckoned upon. In the first place Herber
Lancaster's offer came as a great surpris,
to the rector-indeed he was thunder
struck. And then, underlying all, tn,
thought would come of what a help Mr.
Lancaster's great wealth and infiuenc,
would have been in starting the boys ii
life-'But Fan shall not be sacrificed" h,
told himself sternly.
Altogether the two men had a very un
satisfactory interview at the Grange tn,
next day, and as Mr.. Lancaster accompa
| MED the narS0u m the hall door ho fol