The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-06

He must have" she insisted. Surely he
swore at you?"
NO.; he viii do that tomorrow. He was
having a row about the gas or something,
and l took the money on my own authority
AS secretary, you know
Mr.. Frillers!' exclaimed Miss Vincent,
aghast. why, you'll be fired out when he
knows
I'll take my chance of that. You want
ed your money, and you've got it,"
This conversation took place whilst they
were walking to Miss Vincent's lodging.
We'll" said Miss Vincent, IF there's a
row I'll stand by you. Goodnight. Mr..
Frillers, and thank you."f
The next morning at IL o'clock, when the
company sembled at the Guild Hall, the
manager was absent. He had left the fol-
lowing letter for Frillers: Inform the
company that 1 have been compelled to go
to London on urgent business. Their SAL
aries will be forwarded to them at their
private addresses at the earliest oppor-
tunity."
The announcement produced dismay. The
whole company spoke at once. and when
they had recovered their presence of mind
they abused Frillers for not preventing the
catastrophe.
at is your duty as secretary to have pre-
vented this" said the leading lady.
! But the company was left stranded and
there was nothing to be done. To some of
them the situation was not novel. There
was nothing to do but to return to London.
Those who had put by lent those who
were destitute the necessary funds. Anger
kept up their energies. The meeker spirits
who had homes RI co 70 decided TO return
to domesticity; of these Miss Vincent was
one. Frillers accompanied her to the sta
ton. and bought for her with his last half
crown two sixpenny illustrated papers. He
was now facing the world with eighteen
pence, and the romantic element within
him thrilled in doubtful Joy.
Everything was ready, His parcels
ranged in the rack, the luggage in the van.
1t was a damp. chilly day; in his worn suit
of blue serge Frillers, standing at her side,
looked more like Poor Frillers'' than ever.
Too much absorbed in her own troubles,
Miss Vincent had not much time to think
of him. Suddenly a sense of his forlorn-
ness dawned on her. He looked thinner.
There was something in him which touched
her, land what will you do. Mr.. Frillers?'
she asked.
L NAAAAAR a oAAo 81 Up ~ $1,000
row."
But have you enough money!" she
asked, timidly.
PLENTY" said he. proudly. II received a
remittance this morning"
Are you sure?'
quite. thanks. Miss Vincent"
Her look of pity hurt him.
The guard approached to close the door;
Miss Vincent took the corner seat which
Frillers had secured for her.
Goodbye. Mr.. Frillers," she said. land
thank you for all your kindness
They shook hands.
Goodbye, Miss Vincent"
He felt a deep longing to say something
dashing, heroic. inspiring. but faintness for
want of food and the sense of wasted af-
f~ections kept him 10 the commonplace. nc
loved. despaired and was a%nhungered all al
once. Still he raised his soddened straw
hat TO her as she looked plying on him
from the carriage window, not without a
dash of theatrical and fate-defying jaunti-
ness. Then the train rolled out OF the sta.
tion and a great tear appeared In Friller's
eye.
But hunger was for the moment stronger
than sorrow. When the train disappeared
behind the cutting he entered the refresh
ment room, drank a glass OF beer and at,
a Bath bun, although he felt that the bun
witt its sugary top. gave a grotesque anC
ridiculous note to a situation otherwise no
deficient in dramatic completeness.