The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-20
THE WAY
BY
GE X ID A : : d.

ordinary philosophical calm, he sat down
at the keyboard of the grand piano and
began 10 weave soft. dreamy melodies that
were reminiscent of bits Of Verdi and Mas
cagni, but which he was placidly convinced
were quite his own.
Fascinating beyond description-for what
pen could tell how mellow was his voice,
how winning were his ways?-gallant with
women. cordial with men, Godfrey Delltng
was yet. in his sixtieth year, the idol OF
Port RushborOugh's mushroom society.
But little above the middle height, he was
inclined, though quite becomingly, to the
plumpness Of good living aud an indulgent
conscience. Brows and mustache still wore
their original hue, but his raven hair had
rapidly turned snow-white. Thick, and fine
and wavy, it had, however, suffered no loss
Of beauty from the change, and his SOFT
brown eyes but shone the darker for the
contrast. He had an effective tenor voice.
was a delightful dancer. a very artist In
water c~Olors-behold his moonlight scenes
and storm-tossed vessels here upon the
richly-papered walls-he was devoted to
horticulture; his orchids and Malmaison
roses will never be surpassed; and. having
travelled much, he had a marvellous store OF
anecdote and scenic description wherewith
TO employ his confident tongue. He was an
ideal host, an ideal guest. His father, a
prosperous shipbuilder of humble origin,
had seen with some disappointment that
nature had clearly intended his younger
son for merely ornamental purposes; but.
with the philosophy Of a practical man, he
had made the best of the matter and had
helped him to make the most of his apti-
tude for drawing-room accomplishments.
Dying. he had left ~Dellingholme, with a
substantial income. TO Godfrey, and the
shipbuilding business to his elder son, Bert,
a beetle-browed. energetic pushful young
man who. ere his fortieth year, had become
the leading shipbuilder of the north, and
a famous matador of finance. Lucky,
plucky, determined and ambitious, Bert
DeIing was the idol of the workingman
as his brother was the idol of society. and
had been literally thrust into Parliament
by an admiring populace and subsequently
knighted.
The brothers were the poles apart. The
life of the one was work. work. work. with
little thought of pleasure-of the other
pleasure. pleasure, pleasure, with never a
thought of work. Even in his music Geof-
frey Delling was dreamy. sleepy, languid.
He paused now in his twilight melodies
with his fingers on the keys. and for some
moments sat lost in thought. Then, with
a sudden feeling Of triumphant confidence
i'm his fortunes. he dashed abruptly into
one of his rare bravuras,
So magnificent. so brilliant was the mu-
sic that he did not hear the crunch of the
long-expected wheels on the snow. did not
hear the meIodious. happy voice of his
daughter as she got out of the carriage
with her maid. did not hear her hail the
log fires in the hall with a glad compli-
ment:
you dear, delightful, dancing flames.
It's been q delicious fortnight never a
happier, but no fires are like our own, are
they. Alice? East or west, home is best.
Take my muff. please. I'm going straight
in to my father. Ard. Alice. lay out my
violet velvet. 1t is my fathers favorite.'
And so overwhelming was the brilliant
noise that Linda. standing on the threshold
Of the drawing room. now wrapped in
arkness save for the fickering freight,
fell back In sheer alarm.
What. All in darkness. father"
Here at last, then! Touch the button,
Linda"
a flood Of electric light. rose-shaded, dis
PEELED the darkness and revealed to the one
his lovely daughter. elegantly clad in GRIM
son gown and sealskin coat, with smart
fur toque lit ue with crimson quilts, and
to the other her handsome father, wearing
now his usual indulgent smile. She had
only come in for his kiss of welcome, and,
having received it on red, happy lips. went
out at once to dress for dinner. He did
not like to be kept waiting.
a little later she came into the dining
room. looking exquisite in the violet velvet
that showed up her milk-whit skin with
/ it's peachy tints on cheek and chin. and heI
mass of wavy red-gold hair.
2 What a winter. father" she exclaimed
as she seated herself. 1--WE got showed vi
at a little junction, though not so badly
but that we soon were on our way again
How the poor will suffer If this lasts, with
Goals at their present price! l never sit
down to a feast Of good things"-her eyes
grew grave az their gaze Travelled over the
fower-decked. glittering table-"but 1 al
most feel ashamed. So many have barely
a crust of bread. and we have-everything
often am checked in the very midst OF
E. enjoyment, in the very midst of thinking
I how good life is. by a swift remembranc
4 of the other side of the medal"
My love-" returned her father with hi:
pleasant smile, you are quite Egyptian il
your lugubrious table sentiments. There il
5 a very pretty skull in some corner or othel
= of the library which you would like to have
before you as YOU eat. Shall / send for ito
S Linda blushed a little, but laughed good
humOredly.
5 How you tease me. father, But, in
deed. l quite deserve it for my stupidity
in RECALLING you with such dolefuI talk"
She could not expect him. she thought, L
4 feel as She did for the hardships and sor
rows Of the poorest poor. He had never
z seen one of these hideous. joyless novels
- He was a man OF fashion. Solicitude for tn,
v submerged tenth was left. she unused a lit
4 tie sadly. TO women and-curates. So sh,