The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-31

you seek out the daughter Of this woman,
and. IL possible. marry her. 1 know she has
a daughter, a charming girl, called Lucy.
/ have kept myself posted up. at intervals.
In her affairs, although 1 Rave never heard
directly from her since we parted, twenty
five years ago. Your position in life, rich
as you will be, will prevent your being
looked upon as a money seeker. Mind. 1
would not have you marry without love on
either side, but 1 feel that you must love
her daughter, and l trust that you may win
her heart. This, at least. 1 beg OF you, ask
ing II as a last request that you will go to
England as soon as convenient after my
death and see her before you engage your
self 10 any one else. 1t is the great wish
Of my heart that this union should take
place. Your loving father and well-wisher.
HENRY KEMBLE."
At the bottom of the sheet Lucy found
her own name and address.
Thank you" she said, folding the letter
and handing it to Kemble. 1T is all very
sad" TIL tears were in her eyes. She was
softened. The romance of the story APP
pealed to her womanly nature. He was
quick to see his advantage and made the
most of it. His voice thrilled and his pecu-
~ AANA a. ~ a GPtAAs
Now, you see, we are no longer strang-
ers, and I viii always love you passionate
ly." said he.
In spite OF the magnetic power he exer-
cised there was a strange something in his
voice and manner which grated upon her
sensitive nature. BY a great effort she
mastered herself. thrust back her emotion,
and rose to leave him.
Il canno think quite calmly tonight"
she said.
When will you give me your answer"
he asked. do not keep me long in sus-
pense, for 1 suffer-" he added.
'Well. then. a week from now. 1 shall
still be in New York at that time. You
know my address"
With this she left him, and he was obliged
TO be content. Scarcely had she gone when
he took a cigar from his pocket. cut off the
end, lighted it and strolled leisurely up and
down. Shall 1 succeed in timer" he NUT
tered to himself beneath his breath. "If 1
win I must marry her at once or the game
is UP Delay means defeat"
The express from Liverpool to London
could not fly fast enough for Jack Kemble.
The frst-class compartment. of which he
was the only occupant, was strewn over
with books and papers, none of which held
his attention for any length OF time. He
thought he had never felt so impatient in
his life. In crossing over from New York
he had wearied for a sight of land, but
now. when so near to his destination, the
hours seemed to lag intolerably. He threw
himself back In the corner and tried to IN
terest himself in the landscape, but his
thoughts went back TO the subject Of his
unrest.
Shall 1 arrive in time TO save her from
that villain ?" he asked himself again and
again.
AS the train drew up at the platform he
Jumped out, hailed q hanson, and drove al
once 10 Noting Hill. He soon found Lucy's
trim little home, but disappointment met
him on the threshold. Upon inquiring
whether Miss Gresham was at home he
was told by the maid that she had been
travelling for some months. and was now
I'm America. He was about TO turn away,
feeling completely bafled, when the girl
added:
perhaps Mrs. Harbury could tell you
something more. sir. VIII you step inside ?'
AS good fortune would have 1t Mrs. Har-
bury had that morning received a business
note from Lucy which contained her New
York address. This she, of course. gave To
Mr.. Kemble at once.
1T is rather curious she said. as she
handed IL to him, but some weeks ago an
other gentleman called here to see Miss
Gresham, and he gave the same name as
yourself"
IL am not surprised to hear that re-
turned Mr.. Kemble. "I have had reason 70
suspect for some time that a man has been
assuming my name. and my business In
England is to try. IL possible, to save Miss
Gresham great unpleasantness."
The following day saw him again on
board a vessel. bound for New York.
1t was evening. Lucy, who had been
sightseeing all day in the city. was feeling
somewhat languid. She was wearing a
loose. softly hanging tea gown. She had
thrown wide the French windows OF her
hotel sitting room, for the weather was
still warm. The windows opened upon an
iron balcony, and looked out upon a fair
sized square. which contained several large
trees. 1t was a beautiful evening, soft and
balmy. A gentle breeze famed her cheek
as she lay upon the sofa, set well back from
the window. Mrs. Bruce was dining with
some English friends at the Windsor. and
Lucy did not Vxpect her to return home
for some hours. Lucy had excused herself
from going on the plea OF a headache, but
her real reason was that she wanted TO be
alone. She had yet to come 10 IA decision
about MIR. Kemble's offer of marriage. She
knew she was not rassionately in love with
him. but sho thought passionate love would
come. She was deeply interested I'm him
in fact. he had had a certain fascination
for her from her first meeting with him
What, perhaps. influenced her the most In
his favor was the letter, added TO the re-
mepbrance OF her own mothers words
She felt that in marrying him she would
have pleased her mother. She had spent
days and nights pondering the matter and
wondering what was the right course q
take. At 8 o'clock he was TO come for his
answer. Her travelling clock upon the man.
telpiece now struck S. only one hour. q