The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-20

day
''why are you so hard on poor Mr.. EN-
nett? should call 1t very suitable match.
And they have known each other long
time" with some fleeing discomfort Of as
ISOLATION But speech was merely to cover
trail. Could 1t be possible she should take
to cover. Elsa wondered. But some light
filtered into her consciousness through her
companions speech. At any rate, Agnes
Lane and Bertha Castle were making COM
mon cause against her. The reason was
not far to seek. And the inference was that
she was formidable opponent Her spir-
its rose again.
1T seems the engagement is an old one.
but is soon to be public property nov. and
guess the cards are coming. I always
thought Emmett was in love with you. ]
suppose 1 judged him by myself" Castle
was saying.
Elsa smiled indulgently. "He was prob
ably about as much in love with me you
were," she said, but should hate to I'M
dertake to discover how much that was.
Did you want to see how I would bear the
blown" she quizzed good-naturedly.
Castle looked shame-faced. I'm an ass"
he said. But I'm so much older than you,
Elsa, and married, too, that you shouldn't
consider my interest impairment. I'm de-
lighted to find Emmett is nothing to you.
His attentions to you have been rather
marked of late, you know. No one would
ever call his actions those of an engaged
man. 1 fancied you might like him after
all, and / was sorry. No; / don't know
anything against him, except that the fell
lows call him shifty, and / suppose there's
no particular harm in that. But never
liked him myself"
II differ from the fellows only in the
term. I've always called him 'nimble.
He changes his mental attitude easily.
I'm glad to have my opinion confirmed and
to find / have not been unjust Really,
though, Mr.. Emmett is very amusing. 1
hope he won't cease to be amusing after
the deluge."
HE WILL said Castle. with conviction.
The enthusiasm of anticipation with
| which Elsa thought of her next meeting
with Emmett was doomed to wane before
she saw him again. For some reason. he
| avoided the house for several days. Then
one warm night, sitting in the conserva-
| tory windows, she saw him mounting the
steps. The lights from the vestibule shone
| on his face distinctly. and it was pale.
Without a seconds elaboration Elsa fore
stalled the maid and opened the door.
| In his surprise he lost his head a little
calling her by name. And she answered
back, wickedly, Eyes, John, I've been
| waiting for you"
What. For me? No! Oh, not into the
house; come, walk about the grounds a
few moments; it is not late" She assented
silently, and they went down the lawn
| under the trees.
"And why were you waiting for me?'
ITO ask you why 1 have been in dis.
grace"
| Are you in disgrace?'
Eyes; you put me there, did you not?"
"Ah. you're laughing at me again.
mo; I'm serious. 1 had not seen you fol
so long. Have you been vexed with me
| about something's
did you carer Under his steady gaz,
she did not answer. 81 was not sure that
that you wanted me to come again." h,
said, with an effort
| mo other reason?"
If he had another. the remembrance of |
hurled him on to destruction now.
| Elisa" he stammered, 81 love YOU"
Eyes; / know
1
flirting with you. And that was when Vol
treated me so abominably. 1 was firth;
at first, Elsa-only at first. But love you
| love you, love your
Eyes; know you love me-" she said, an
felt his hands, which covered hers, tremble
but do you love me enough? Perhaps yo
only love me about this much" portionin
off a little space her finger. Then
stretching her arms wide-"oh, love me
little more than that, John"'
Are you laughing at me?" he said
hoarsely; "are you playing with me? / Low
you with ali my soul. 1 love you too much
God knows Life is worthless to me with
out you
"And yet" she answered, suddenly re
mote, "you must do without me. You mus
be content with Agnes Lane"
..That cursed entanglement-you hav
heard! It was before knew you. But IL
break it, Elsa. I'll break it tomorrow. II
break it tonight"
mot on my account. I have no desire t
rob Miss Lane of her lover. You misun
derstand me. Even If you were free ma
1 would never marry you, BECAUSE do no
love you
Then why have you done this?" he aske
her after a silence.
Because you dared to say to me that
would inevitably end by falling in love Wit
YOU Because from the first you treate
me as a firt. Because you boosted of you
| attraction for other women none but
cad would boast. Because you did not be
have honorably in your engagement t
Agnes Lane. Because, because. Is tina
enough?' She stopped, smiling.
ST think we are even now" she went o
| after an interval in which they scanne
each others faces. LET us shake hand
and say goodbye without malice givin
him her hand which he touched nechan
cally "And / have TO thank you for tn
amusement you have afforded memo. d
net be angry! / have only played fair. an
) -and"-she hesitated, "only that 1 coul
not trust you, would have loved you.
, And turning with gesture of finality, sh
, mounted the steps.
|, At Tenement Window.
{ Sometimes my needle stops with haIf-drav
e CNot often though-each moments waste meal
4 Il