The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-10

reply II might know what steps 10 take
then. can't imagine what am 70 do as
it IS"
With his words the Rev. Evelyn Car
stairs began TO thread an ag1tated path
through the intrfcacfes Of the rectory draw
ing room furniture. Having nearly over
turned a delicate Chippendale silver ia
ble'-the most valuable and the most I'M
steady thing in the room-he flung himsen
into; or rather placed himself upon, for he
sat bolt upright, an armchair opposite to
his interlocutor. Lady Laura Carstairs. She
was a woman Of the age which is generally
described as about thirty'-and in her
case the description would have been accu-
rate enough, for she was thirty-three. She
was In full possession Of that charm of
maturity which comes to some fortunate
women after their first youth. Her face
was a small oval with delicate features-a
straight Greek nose was counterbalanced
by a mouth that was described as ''mu-
tinous" or "saucy' according to whether
high-aown words or plain English seemed
preferable to the speaker. The lips were
a lovely red, and she had clear brunette
complexion, enhanced by large brown eyes.
and quantity of dark hair, growing low
and brushed back from her forehead, broke
and rings. II was beautifully dressed with
the care that betokens the possession Of an
experienced maid, and her whole dress,
though she wore emphadcally what are
called country Clothes" showed that its
birthplace had been an expensive one in
London.
81 believe" Lady Laura went on,
suavely, 1.-The greatest minds have one
weak point-Napoleon and that sort Of
person had, hadn't they? And if they are
strong-minded people it shows itself in
trffing subject-as It does with you"
This gently uttered sentiment seemed to
bring the proverbiaI last straw to the bur-
den which Mr.. Carstairs bore. He literally
bounded from his chair and stood on the
hearthrug.
''TrihingP' he said in a bitter voice.
'Trihing, you call it?" He broke off,
choked, it seemed with Indignation.
Lady Laura laughed lightly. Mr.. Car
stairs kicked the fender-not lightly.
Evelyn said Lady Laura, exactly In
the tone in which one speaks TO naughty
schoolboy, I'm surprised at YOU"
''Surprised?" he retorted. II only wish
could surprise you in any way likely to do
you any good. II beg your pardon for my
violence, of course" he added, more gently.
''but that you should call 1t triiing IS too
much for you. You can't think it So" he
went on evidently growing calmer as he
argued the point; you cannot. Let me
Just set the facts before you in their true
light"
"Set them before me IN any light you
like. by all means" was the answer. DO
try anything you think likely to prove
soothing
Mr.. Carstairs gave a sigh. which ended in
groan. and sat down once more-this time
more upright than ever.
your home has been with me now for
six MONTHS he began slowly.
And two weeks-and three days." put in
Lady Laura. You were going to set
things in a true light Evelyn"
lie bit his lips hercely. He was hand
some man OF forty; fair, with keen blue
eyes. and more OF the soldier than the par
son in his bearing though his clerical get
up was even ultra correct. He rose from
his chair again restlessly and began to play
with an ornament on the mantelpiece-a
little Chinese mandarin that shot its
tongue ott when it was shaken He was
fitting IL quite unconscious of the effect,
hut Lady Laura's eyes were fixed the
little srinnins face. and her whole face
trcm5led with suppressed laughter
1T seemed the obvious thing he con-
tinued. Il was very glad to welcome you
here l like a lady's presence about the
house. and what a lady's influence might
Go in the parish l could not even estimate"
.'Ven. some of the Sunday-schoOl girls do
dress trife better. I've spoken to them
about their atrocious taste-I really have"
The man made a very impatient sound
and tilted tie little mandarin on TO his
back suddenly.
You know what 1 mean he said, in a
voice he kept quiet with evident effort.
You are not so insensible as you pretend
10 be. You know the only direction your
influence has taken here is a harmful one"
II don't know"
''Then-pardon me if I think you do,
thought must try to make you know,
that is all. You came here in December.
1t was in January that I discovered that
Grant was not doing an atom of workout
do assure you until found him here that
afternoon It never occurred to me that he
was wasting his time in so atrocious a
manner"
you were always so polished in speech.
dear boy" she murmured. cts your
strong point"
out fishing. and he forgot that wedding--a
frightful thing! And he caught that chill
rubbing brasses for you-as if you knew or
cared a straw about brasses! And then,
led on quite shamelessly by you, he asks
me If he may aspire to the honor of your
hand'-he always was a bit Of an outsider.
though he's a saint-and you make me dis
miss him for you, and he'll never settle
down again-he's heart-broken, IL ever a
good fellow was. You didn't wait long be-
fore filing his place. You talked of help
ing Lizzie Stone with her singing. but it
wasn't Lizzie who interested you. And
now there's Dick Stone talking Of selling
the old farm and going to Brisbane. and the
Stones have had the old farm for genera
tons. I told you all 1 thought on each
of these occasions.
And / told you it was ridiculous-all yoI
thought"
And this last" he pursued, unheeding
sis the worst Of all your dOings. Just fig
ure to yourself ms feelings. I look into
the school this morning TO speak TO Jones
find you there"
Clergy ladies always visit the school II
books
'We are In real life. I find you there
repeat; the work at a standstill. the chill
dren more or less at play while you anC