The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-08

so much-so much. Oh, can't you under
stand?"
For the moment it seemed as though her
opinion, her comprehension. her forgiveness
even were Of more value to him than any
thing He bent forward TO see her face, but
Muriers head was turned away. She
seemed to be intently watching a little
brown-sailed fishing smack that lay half
mile away on the CLASSY surface OF the sea.
The caught the brown sail the
smack moved and turned il into a beautiful
golden yellow. Then the shadow fell again.
and behold it was nothing more lovely than
a dirty brown Alan thought ii was like an
allegory Of his own life.
TELL me. entreat you" he pleaded. tell
me that you don't utterly despise me-
But she told him nothing of the sort and
he knew that she did despise him.
II am thinking OF that poor girl" she
said presently. THAT girl whom you don't
love, but whom you are going to marry
only because she is rich. 1 pity that poor
girl from the bottom of my heart"
Alan looked at her quickly Her face was
set and hard. Her eyes looked cold and
angry. He laughed a little nervously.
'Oh. but there is no girl for you to pity
not yet at least. 1 don't know who she is.
one-some Liverpool or Manchester heiress.
1 told there are several who would be
glad to have Henson Towers. It's beau
tiful place you know
Muriel laughed outright, and somehow
all the hardness went out of her face. "Oh.
but now you are really funny" she cried.
merrily IF that girl is not found yet,
don't let us think about her! Be happy
1 a &c Lpo
what may happen between now and next
year,"
~ believe you are right" answered Alan
more cheerfully. Il am sure 1 am glad
enough 10 forget ii. Shall we walk on
little? Our grandparents seem quite hap
by. don't they? Did you know that they
were once engaged to be married when
they were young?'
mo, really? oh, do tell me about it,
How very interesting. Why were they not
married then?"
"Oh. the usual thing No money; par
ents and guardians interviewed and parted
them, and each married somebody else"
And their lives were spoilt probably"
said the girl, thoughtfully.
Yes; that is what parents and guardians
enjoy, believe-spoiling the lives of those
|
You speak very bitterly, Mr.. Henson
Il feel very bitterly, Miss Gray. So
would you If you knew it was your duty
to marry a fat vulgar Manchester heir
ess!'
"Ah, now you are ridiculous. Why
should she be either fat vulgar? Some
Manchester people. surely. are neither. Do
you know, my father was Manchester
man."
"Oh, beg your pardon-' said Alan, red
dening
"You need not. 1 do not remember him,
for he died when L was three years old,
but my mother has portrait of him. He
was quite slight and very nice looking"
HE must have been If he was your
father" said the young man. rather lamely.
THAT does not follow; but I told you to
show you that all Manchester people are
not offensive; and If you could love that
poor rich girl who has got to be your wife,
then it will be all right. You must try and
love her.
Alan looked at his companion for mo-
ment in silence. The sun lit up her fair
face and shone straight into her lovely
eyes. He had never seen anyone like her
before, she was so charming, well as
| anu SO anu he was
sure that she was good.
"I can't love her. he said, slowly 81 am
quite sure 1 can't; so 1t would be no use
my trying. would it?"
''Oh, but why can't your?
81 know that love someone else"
"Oh-h! Then that alters the case en-
tirely," replied Muriel, and her color rose
little and her eyes fell And the someone
else it poor, probably"
II neither know nor care" cried the boy
impetuously. II only know that 1 never
saw anyone like her before, and that she is
of more value to me than a score of heir
esses! I have met my queen-the only girl
in the world 1 could ever love-only, of
course, may not love herr
They are calling us. Let us go backr
broke in N1uriel. and she turned quickly
round toward the bath chairs. Neither
spoke another word until they reached
their grandparents.
They came back with rather red faces
and with averted eyes. and as they ap-
preached Lord Learman muttered to kis
companion:
'They haven't hit It off. They are not
speaking to each other; they look as If
they had quarreled."
1T don't think So" replied the old lady
with twinkle in her eyes. And no doubt
ladies understand these things better than
gentlemen do.
Mrs. Henson and her grandson remained
at Brighton for week. Every day the two
old people met in their bath chairs the
Parade. and every day the two young ones
sauntered away together Three times did
the old lady and Alan dine with Lord Lear
man in the gloomy house in a side street
where he had settled down TO live out the
remainder OF his life. and on these occa-
sions Muriel, by her grandfather's special
desire, dressed herself in pretty low
white evening dress and wore her mothers
pesrls round her slender throat looking,
it is needless TO say. infinitely charming in
this costume. Alan Henson fell more in
love with her than ever.
After dinner they found that the far
| corner by the piano in the back drawing
room a most interesting place to re-
main in: and Muriel sang old ballads.
whilst Alan chimed in in the chorus, and
sometimes for long intervals the music
ceased altogether and their subdued voices
filled up the moments with murmured mu-
tual condolences; for the glamor of loves