The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-18
squire. 50 that what Dick wanted he al

There was only this hope for Norman.
and he chung TO it desperately: Miss Lati-
uer would not be influenced by worldly
He had arrived at this conclusion from the
fact that she never spoke to or looked at
him IL she could help 1t. Whilst she often
looked at him, Norman. and though rather
distant and reserved would speak to him
occasionally, and even laugh over his
yarns.
month passed without any change, in
that sort of calm which both in life and
nature often precedes some violent out
break. Dicks face was beginning to show
signs of his broken nights and worried
days Norman, who was of a more mer-
curial temperament, and not so hard hit,
was still gay and confident; Ralph as hap
PLY miserable as any lovesick lad of nine
teen could wish to be. If Miss Latimer
was conscious of the mischief she had done
she gave no sign. but kept the even tenor
of her way.
But one evening she did not appear in the
drawing room after dinner as usual, with
her pupils, sending a polite message of
excuse to Mrs. Graham. A storm was evil
IDENTIFY brewing, and her head had ached
all day. She would be glad to stay quietly
in her room, if Mrs. Graham did not mind.
So far from minding. the latter was rather
pleased. Although she had almost given up
watching Dick. having seen nothing to
alarm her, it was nice to have her children
to herself for one evening, and she was
preparing to enjoy herself when she sud-
denly discovered that all three of her sons
had slipped away. This ought to have ex-
cited her suspicion. for it had never hap
pened before but somehow Mrs. Graham's
fears, which had been obtrusive and exag-
gerated at first were now completely lulled
to rest, and she went on playing Lotto
with Minna and Florence without the least
anxiety.
Meanwhile this was what went on out
side. Miss Latimer had drawn her chair up
to the open window of the schoolroom.
and sat there in pensive attitude gazing
out into the darkness. Her wonderful eyes
had deep shadows under them, and looked
black and strangely pathetic as they
burnt out of her pale face. Her whole atti-
tude expressed WEAKNESS and suffering;
and presently she let her arms drop to her
side and sighed mournfully.
This sigh reached three pairs of ears just
as her languid beauty touched three hearts.
Each of the three brothers, unknown to the
other two had hidden In the strawberries on
purpose to watch Miss Latimer. All three,
urged by that sigh. would have rushed for
ward to comfort her, only that in moving
they fell against each other, and stopped
ii lfr1,f If r1,r
spoke, in the tone of authority which, as
the eldest, he considered he had the right
to use.
Come into the smoking room both of
you,' he said, 'I want to speak to YOU"
They followed him without word. keep
ing out of sight of the schoolroom window
by tacit consent, and when they reached
the smoking room Dick shut the door.
turned the key, and then faced round. He
was very pale. but quite calm, people of
strong natures are wont to be when deeply
moved, and his voice. though steady, had
a peculiar depth in it that awed the others
a little, because 1T showed that he was ter
ribly in earnest.
Look herei he said. II have made sure
tonight of what L have suspected all along,
that we are all.three of us. to our sorrow,
in love with the same girl" He paused a
moment here, hoping perhaps, for a con-
tradiction; and when none came he went on
still more gravely: e
1--WE are the sons Of one mother. and we
must not let this part u.s. lads; let us talk
the matter over. You must not think me
harsh, Ralph, If / say that you will have
half-a-dozen, at least, of these wild fancies
before you are twenty-one, and, In any
case, your age makes anything like an en-
gagement between you and her impossible :"
''At present" stammered out Ralph,
flushing "but later"
Later you will not wish it yourself" re-
turned Dick with decision. And then there
is the difference of age
'Only four years. interposed Ralph,
hastily.
''They would not matchmaking would
matter indeed-if you could be quite sure OF
yourself, and-and she loved you; but you
cannot be at nineteen, Ralph, believe me;
and you could not expect any of them to
take you seriously. Therefore know you
too well to believe you would put forward
pretensions which would do you good,
and might injure Others"
IT don't know what you mean" Ralph
said
''Tll tell you. The moment you speak to
Miss Latimer she will co.
"Why?'
'She would have no other alternative be-
cause, of course, she would know my father
and mother would disapprove of any entan-
clement at your age and might blame her.
Anyhow, she is a proud woman, you can
see, and would not care to find herself in a
false position
II don't see why my caring for her places
her more uncomfortably than your doing
So" Observed Ralph, sulkily.
I'm differently placed altogether. II she
did me the honor of accepting me I should
go straight to my father and tell him the
truth
II could do the same thing, couldn't I?''
II shouldn't advise you to-" answered
Dick, meaningly.
Dick left him to digest what he had said
and turned to Norman then.
Now hear what / have to tell you," he
said, turning his eyes. dim with pain, on
his brother "This is only a summer pas
time to you. probably; it is life or death to
me. You have loved before, you will love
again. 1 have never loved before ard shall
never love again. If she cares for you