The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-16
the moonlit sky. who knows but the
world may end to-night?" he quoted.

oul VI Ills TeNeIle anu ioOhinS at neT SIS
niicantly. ST do not wish to die before 1
lived-and as yet 1 a not lived"
"You have not iived?'' she said. looking
at him inquiringly.
And he. with a new look in his clear blue
eyes. answered softly: mo, for / have not
loved-till now" he added; but the last two
words were spoken in so low a tone that
she did not seem to hear. Perhaps that was
the reason why she changed the subject
almost Immediately.
You are fond Of this part of the world,
are you not. Mr.. Lovell?'
YES" he answered, in a curiously
changed voice. VERY fond of it; and no
doubt you know why"
do 1? But I should like to hear. Per-
haps 1 nave not been told the story"
There is no story" said Frank. rather
gloomily. MY grandfather gambled and
betted beyond his means, that is all. and
my father was unable to mend matters. AT
his death the property came to the ham,
mer."
Yes. But I have heard said the girl,
that you might have kept at least part of
1T back; that there was no need for you
to surrender your mothers fortune, and
tia " gave IL uP = Nit Ia SheAO
ly to save your fathers name. That was
true. wasn't it?"
"You nave got hold of one version of the
story. certainly: but there is nothing in it,
really. I might not be legally bound to pay
my fathers debts, but / think l was moral
ly bound. So. you see, I could not help it"
II know a good many people who would
have helped It," said Mary, pursuing up her
pretty lips. But you are what my father
calls a white man. and, of course, you do
more thai the ordinary person."
Not at all. Any honorable man would
do as much"
And you are just as fond OF the old
house as ever. 1 suppose?"
Frank laughed a little, but the laugh
suddenly broke-much to his own surprise.
He did not speak, but the broken laugh
was sufficient for May. and tears rose to
her dark eyes as he turned his head aside
and pretended for a moment or two to be
absorbed In the blades of grass that he was
plucking at with his left hand. Presently.
however, he recovered himself sufficiently
to say with a manner Of great concern:
THE old place is very difficult to sell. My
fathers debts will not be paid in full until
it is bought outright. and it is still in the
hands Of the trustees"
'Is it for sale?"
Yes, and two or three people have en-
tered into negotiations about it. but with
out result so far. The house is falling to
rack and ruin. One can't expect anyone
but a millionaire to buy it, and 1t would
not be worth his while"
Some rich men, said May. thought
fYllv ssw0rld no rnIoac sod fo vohriId the
house entirely-or at least to put it into
good repair"
Spoil it probably!' said Frank, in his
grimmest tone.
mot if he took good advice" said May
almost p~leadingly.
How could he take advice? How could
he known" exclaimed Lowell, quite angrily
II would be a stranger. No one knows
the stories connected with the house but
the old servants and myself; and the old
servants have gone away, and I shall never
dare to come here again when the process
of renovation begins. Do you think / shall
stand and look on when they tear down the
old oak panels to let more light into the
rooms, and turn my mothers garden into
a brilliant parterre, and put plate glass
into the mullioned windows? When the
hand of the builder and decorator is laid
upon the old place, then Selsby will see m {
no more"
UNLESS a friend bought it," said the
girl. "A friend with whom you could
work, who would consult you about the
slightest alteration"
"Quite impossible. 1 don't know any mil
lionaires."
They don't come much to Selsby, I sup.
poser" she said, with laughing eyes. 1T
is getting late. I must go in. But before
L go will you be so very good as to repea1
that poem again-'The Last Ride To
%gether?'"
with pleasure. Do you like it so much?'
very much: and. besides, who know.
if the world will end to-night?"
"What do you mean?"
Nothing at all. What could I mean? L
was only a fancy. Please go on with tn,
poem, Mr.. Lowell"
Frank did as he was desired, and wher
she had gone he wandered about the or
chard for a little while in a state o
strange content and happiness, murmurin,
now and then a line that had particular!
struck him. Should ride forever-togethe
ride! So one day more / am defied." h
whispered to himself. "Can a man feel as /
heaven lay for him in the winning Of on,
woman? 1t seems incredible. And yeti
the woman were like May Balfray! Sweet
est, dearest of women. / have met none lk'
her, and yet-yet she is only a dairymaid
the niece of the village innkeeper. the half
taught, half-educated daughter of the PEG
pie whom l should never nave known If m.
insane fondness for Selsby had not brough
me so often to her aunt's public house. Flo
what is it but a public house? And, afte
all, Mrs. Balfray is much richer than / am
and would probably decline the alliance TO
her niece if 1t were offered her. And / can
afford to marry. But if I c~ould-ah, May
sweet May!-should 1 care one jot for you
birth and breeding If only 1 knew that yo'
returned my love? May, May!"
He breathed the name aloud, and thel
rested his forehead on his arm, which h
laid against the run of a gnarled old elm
tree beside the orchard fence. Once h
thought that he heard a footstep on tn
twigs beneath his feet, but when he locke,
up no one was there. He threw back hi
. head with a gesture of utter WEAKNESS
.nf~T