The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-25
THE OPENING DOOR

RIS TAN l. s

have been dreaming? 1 looked at the pa
pers. at the paragraph which had caused
me TO lean back in my chair. Was IT pos
sible that at that moment 1 had slipped
into a dream? The thin fingers L had not
recognized. but the face was the face of
Aunt Caroline, who was prisoner In her
room. and. indeed, had hardly left her bed
for the last two months.
/ gathered the papers together and locked
them in a drawer. i had not intended to
give Aunt Caroline the benefit of my COM
pany tonight. but now 1 would go to her
and satisfy myself that she had not left
her room.
1 remembered old ghost stories told Of
Stour Park as / assembled the stairs. and
found myself glancing suspiciously at
shadows in the corner of the landing.
I knocked at Aunt Caroline's door. and
was Immediately told to enter. She was in
bed. and the nurse. a sour-iooking spinster.
sat by the fire, a book in her hands. She
was reading to Aunt Caroline. had heard
the drone of her voice before knocked at
the door.
"Mr. Heygate. you are welcome. Put
down the book. nurse; that is, Mr.. Heygate.
if you have come to talk to me for little
WHILE
Il thought would just look in and see
how you were this evening, Mrs. Arm
strong" answered, casting rapid glance
round the room. There was nothing to sug-
gest that the invalid had moved from her
present position.
az sometimes think am as well as ever
| shall be-" she answered. How long have
been in this room?'
1.-TWO months"
| mo longer? 1t seems like two years.
| feel very grateful to Sir Francis for allow
| ing me to turn his house into hospital"
| Was 1t fancy. or did a malicious smile
play upon her features for moment, such
smile as had seen upon the face at the
| door?
II wonder IL I should be so generous were
I as rich as Sir Francis" she said after a
pause.
ut is difficult for any one to say what
| he would do with the wealth he is never
likely to have" answered.
There is a acknowledging between us.
Mr.. Heygate. We are both dependents
| upon Sir Francis's bounty
81 have never looked upon myself in that
light" / answered.
| "AhI you are able to believe that you
earn your daily bread. You are fortunate.
1 cannot delude myself with such fancy
| You have ambition. L suppose?"
Many ambitions Mrs. Armstrong.
IT wonder you have not gone to South
Africa" she said, refiectively. 1.-The short
roads to fame and fortune seem to lie
| there"
THAT is a matter of opinion" I said:
| "besides-
Besides. you have one ambition which
necessitates your remaining at home
II do not understand"
mop" and she smiled. giving me plainly
to understand that she did not believe me.
you did not go to the concert tonight:
how was that?" she asked. after pause.
II had some work to do"
You are much in Sir Francis's confidence
1t is rather a temptation to a young man
with ambitions"
| Il trust may never know any stronger
| temptation" I answered.
We talked for some little time on general
topics and then 1 rose to go.
You like Evelyn, Mr.. Heygate?" she
| said. suddenly.
Eyes; very much. Why?"
Il thought perhaps. she was included in
your ambitions. You should confde in an
old woman. Mr.. Heygate. You have no
idea how useful an old woman can be-"
The nurse followed me out of the room to
put some dirty cups on the table, which
stood in the corridor. There was no need
for the servants to disturb the invalid then.
L was very tired and went straight to my
own room. Mrs. Armstrong; remark about
i Evelyn was sufficient to make me forget
my dream in the library, and to indulge in
far pleasanter speculation. Was it pos
sible that I had misjudged Aunt Caroline
Had she seen that was in love with Eve
iyn and was willing to help me? Some
thing like hope closed my tired eyes and ]
fell into a dreamless sleep.
Breakfast was usually a merry meal al
Stour Park. We invariably met in the best
Of spirits and with good healthy appetites
AS a rule Sir Francis smoked a cigar and
glanced leisurely through some of his let
tiers before going to the library This morn.
ing. however. he did not do So He got ur
directly he had finished
Il shall not want you for an hour, Hey
gate" he said, as he left the room.
i am sorry you were not at the concert
last night, Evelyn said, as soon as her
father had gone. Il sang very nicely"
81 have doubt of that 1 am sorry
was not there. L did not spend a very sat.
isfactory evening"
WAS Aunt Caroline so very unpleasant:
hear you went in to see her."
On the contrary she was very gracious
The unpleasant part came earlier fancy
l fell asleep over my work"
80 those very important papers did no,
get looked through, after ALL" she said
laughing. They were very important
were they not?'
Eyes, rather"
"You said very last night, when you die
not want to come and hear me sing. Cap.
tain Denton inquired after you
THAT was exceedingly gracious of him,
1 answered.
She looked at me quickly, struck, / sup
pose, by the irritated manner In which
spoke.