The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-28

"Me?" she gasped. pulling away her
hand
YOU" he replied. gravely
And / never even knew that you saw
me. My brother pointed you out TO me one
morning as you passed our house, and then
l used to watch for you every day as you
went to your office; and sometimes in the
afternoon / met you in the streets as you
returned, but you never seemed TO look in
my direction, and 1 thought you were full
of your business and cared for nothing
else
THAT explains much. / suppose I must
have seen you all the time" he said.
Il think We must have been playing hide
and-seek," she remarked, faughingly.
But now that we have found each
other"
Il must be going" she interrupted, as
she hurried toward the door, where she
paused second, glanced over her shoulder
with look of surprise and pleasure. then
burst into merry laugh and vanished be-
fore he could reach her. AS for Alec, he
stood looking after her for some seconds.
scarcely able to realize that this visit was
not one of those fantastic episodes that
happen only in dreamland. Then, picking
up the letter, which had fallen on the
ground, he heaved a sigh of relief, as If
the burden of the world were removed from
his shoulders, and sat down to master the
thoughts that whirled round his brain as
If dancing in delight at the prospect of his
independence and his assured happiness
Half an hour later he had gone into his
fathers private office, after having given
orders that they were not to be interrupted.
Seated in his well-worn leather chair the
old man was busy with his ledgers, and
looked UP If resenting interruption.
well, what is X, Alec?" he asked, alb
ruptly.
Father, have some surprising news for
you.' Alec began
About the assurance company?'
mo; nothing about business, but about"
Then leave it until after business hours"
Il would rather tell you now. It's about
Madge and myself"
You want to be married sooner than the
date fixed?"
ION the contrary. we don't want to marry
each other at all''
What stuff and nonsense is this?" his
father asked, closing the book before him
with bang and glancing angrily at his
son.
"Madge found out long ago that did not
really love her, and when she discovered
man that did she decided to marry him."
"She-decided? will never CONSENT the
old man Numbered.
"She knew that, and lest you might him
der her she got married this morning, and
has already started on her honeymoon.
Robert Cameron stared in blank amaze
ment; then, in a choking voice. asked who
was the bridegroom. When told, he poured
out a volley of abuse on DR.. MacNeils
head, accused him of treachery and rob-
berry and fortune hunting and many bad
qualities. Nor was Madge spared, for she
had dared to thwart his long-laid scheme,
to defy his authority, and his pride suf-
fered. Finally he turned on Alec and called
him a poor chicken-hearted creature to
allow another man to rob him of such
girl as Madge.
Knowing the wisdom of silence, Alec left
him, having first placed her letter on his
desk. On returning, about an hour later, he
found his father In a melancholy mood, the
letter in his hands, his eyes red from un-
accustomed tears, and his face more soft
ened than his son had ever seen it before.
The younger man put one arm around his
fathers shoulders affectionately, and
neither spoke for some time.
At last the old man. looking up with a
twinkle in his eye, said: AYE, but have
been fool for when MacNeil came to sit
with me by the hour just thought twas
because he liked my company and wished
to hear me tell stories of Dumfries, and
now 1 know twas because that sly little
mink was there. 1 don't blame him, for
she was a winsome lass. 1 mind how she
| used to step out after him when he left my
room, and L used to hear them whisper on
the stairs, but thought twas all about my
ailments, and 1 believe the fellow under
stood me WELL 1 suppose I'll have to for
give them, and If he settles down here I'll
always have doctor who is relative to
look after me. There's some satisfaction
in that" he said, nodding his head.
True, true" Alec said, humoring him.
"But we shall miss Madge She had
bright, bonny face, like her mother. Aye,
we'll miss her much. The house will be
main lonely with only two solitary men
folk"
But not for long, father" Alec ventured
to say.
"Why, lad? Do you mean that you"
.'I have found the girl 1 am anxious to
make my wife, and 1 think she will listen
to me when
"You haven't asked her yet?'
"I wished to tell you first"
AYE lad, I'll not interfere any more"
the old man said, sadly, ''for young people
know best what suits themselves, and IL
YOU love this lass and she is worthy of you,
why ask her to marry you, always pro-
yided," he added with emphasis, that she
has the fortune you might expect with
your wife,
81 don't know If she has a penny" said
Alec.
what, man? Do you mean to tell me
you let her snare you before you knew
what you should have with herr"
"She has not shared me, father. She
didn't even suspect L loved her until told
her."
AYE, that's what they all say" replied
the old man, cynically.
"And besides money is not everything"
People that haven't any console them
selves by thinking so. See what canny
man MacNeil was. He knew Madge had
a tidy fortune, and now it's gone clean out
of the family
you married wife who hadn't a PEN
n.y." said Alec. boldly.
"Ah lad, but such woman: there never
- hor ,;l~a ansuared Robert Cameron