The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-20

eyes she has are the exact color OF nef
fathers. and a more selfish more silky,
more cold-blooded man. I'll venture, never
trod shoe leather. And those Sweet ways OF
hers, half shy. half trustful-of course,
they're a mere clever trick of coquetry. We
impecunious curates are considered fair
game. / fancy, by these elegant young
ladies. Not that 1 am so very impecunious.
10 be sure. but"-with a shrug OF his shout
ders-"so far as the daughter of Mr.. Dell
ing is concerned 1 am a hopeless ineligible
indeed. II is perfectly safe to fiirt with me.
/ could not have the effrontery to take it
seriously"
But his scornful lips q~uivered suddenly
and softened. his gray eyes darkened, his
fine face grew infinitely tender.
'Oh why do / try 10 cure myself" he
said. aloud, by these disloyal thoughts?
Because she is a star out Of my sphere.
must I try to blur her Brightness? She IS
all she seems dear,s sweet, unaffected,
noble girl. But" he ended. taking up his
quill abruptly, 'she is more in my thoughts
than is good for me. L will answer this let
ter Of hers about the Play Guild. and then
think Of something else
The letter finished. ne took it up and
looked il over. half-amused. half-dismayed.
Looks a bit shaky. eh2 Bah, What a
fool I am. She'll never think Of it. I've no
time to write another. ] must go and see
old Widow Bell. poor broken derehct. and,
OH as many Of them as L can. What a
Christmas some Of these poor souls will
have, II there were a few more helpers like
Miss Delling we might get some Of these
awful places cleaned up by the day of judg-
ment. Wei. well. This Play Guild idea of
hers is very good. 1t has answered splen-
didIy in some parts Of London. l don't see
why II shouldn't answer here. What a
marvellous girl she is. She seems to- be as
much in the swim as anybody. and yet she
has always time 10 think out schemes OF
this sort"
He pocketed his letter. and getting up
STROBE out of the room into the hall,
snatched his hat from its peg, clapped it
on. and. with more energy than grace,
swung himself out into the street. At the
corner he posted the letter.
His way took him into the town, and
walking rapidly along the Intercollegiate
pavement he found himself suddenly face
10 face with Miss Linda Deling-the queen
OF his foolish heart, 4 shop assistant was
carrying small parcels into her carriage.
With eyes beaming radiantly through her
black chenille-spotted veil she came tow
ards Ambrose with outstretched hand.
'Oh. Mr.. Power" she cried, delightedly.
81 nave been wishing to see you. | have
something to show you She took a folded
paper from her muf and fourished it be-
fore him.
lie took it and opened it. In SPRAYING
hieroglyphics was written:
II hereby sertifes that i will not tech
strong liekers no more.-Yours truly, Rob
ert Jugg."
Ambrose handed back the document
81 am very glad for Jugg. Miss Delling."
ne said. a little sadly. land very sorry for
myself. What is it 1 am wanting in? Tell
me the secret of your success. I have been
ut this same poor Jugg-oh. times without
number. And Jugg has politely informed
me But 1 am keeping you?'
mo. no, indeed. I am most glad to have
met you. if only to wish you a happy
Christmas when il comes. And. oh! would
you mind giving this"-a soft gloved hand
stole into his and left a coin-"to poor Mrs
Jugg. Her husband was in all the time. and
I'm afraid my faith i'm him has not got
backbone yet. So I dared not give her any
thing before him. Oh. did you get my let
ter? Have you found me any children fo1
my Play Guild?"
1T have scores for you. Miss DeIling."
"oh.' She gave a pretty start of assumed
alarm. II hope we shall be equal to then
all. poor little things. Thank you very much
for getting me such a nice large room. pi.
ano and all. 1t will do splendidly. and
have got a lovely Christmas tree for it al
ready. I am going away tomorrow for 3
fortnight's visit to some friends. but
eLon - - TsT.rfv~ "a 49, 49, 49,
back. My father is going to Nice. by the
way. He detests our English Christmas
Isn't 1t odd? I love ii. And now. goodbye
j hope you will have a very happy holi
day"
So with mutual good wishes they parted
"A happy Christmas for me- said tn,
Rev. Ambrose. gloomiIy. i'm the privacy Of
his heart. "Ah. that is very likely. Per
haps-if I had never met Linda Delling
But now the best will always be wanting
j hope she will meet her fate this holiday
! wish she would get married. / should
have to forget her then. Jugg is more il
her thoughts than / am"
1t was a cloudy night. with promise o.
snow. Not a star was to be seen. Comm.
out from the lively. brilliantIy-lit street.
straight into utter gloom and solitude Am
"t~nN0 VNtAf 0huf bHtlltlk III
railway gates. passed over the row of line.
that divided prosperous. respectable Por
marlborough with its glittering shops. IL
fine houses, its pretty ladies and elegan
gentlemen. from the collection of slum.
known as the Old Town.
Here. amid the murkiness and filth. ami,
the noise of coarse laughter and quarrel
some oaths. a barrel-organ was grindin,
out the last strains Of Ora Pro Nobis.
Close upon Piccolomini's solemn melod,
came the frolicsome trills and runs of
gay. new-fangled dance. Tattered littl
girls left their corners swiftly. chose othe
tattered little girls for partners. came on
iGto the middle Of the road. and Their
stood waiting with nOdding heads 10 cate.
the time. and then began 10 dance. Merrill
their rags danced too. Ambrose stood an
watched them with a tender pity. needles
or the whispered jeers about him. I'LL ieis
urely a policeman sauntered up and wave
a hand majesticaliy. Without a murmu
the crowd OF little dancers melted away
Tn bobby was part OF the programme.
For its size" unused Ambrose. as h
picked his way. Port marlborough ha
managed TO collect a marvellous lot Of vic