The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-01

Perhaps but m more perseverfng than
you think; and Adrian says he once knew
a girl-a lovely girl-who just for fad. a
caprice-she was quite rich-took up book
binding and got on splendidly. She liked
it, and SO might /. May Unlocking up
with her big, sweet. appealing eyes-"come
and try?"
t. Jessica's color had changed from red to
white and from white TO red several times
during this speech, and she felt a sudden
thrill run through her heart that alarmed
her.
why should care? What does it mat
ter IL her brother should be the Adrian 1
knew" she told herself, severely. why
need I start and grow scarlet all over be-
cause he said was lovely? I'm an idiot,
A." Then aloud she asked, quietly:
did your brother, Mr.. Adrian"
Barton, that's his NAME" cried the
girl, land he and ! live together at
Queen's-gate, so / shall not have far to
come" . ss
mo" Truly things had changed. The
Bartons rich and living near her old home,
whilst She did your-Mr. Barton
send you to me as a pupil?"
"Oh, dear, not" laughing 81 saw your
name somewhere quite by accident. Adrian
never heard OF you
Jessica smiled. 1t was relief to know
that. She would have resented the idea of
Adrian Barton looking upon her as a
charity and sending his sister to take les
sons in bookbinding in order to help her.
Now that she was persuaded that this was
not the case, she was delighted to welcome
pretty Phyllis as a pupil
ones for Phyllis Barton, and she conceived
| quite romantic affection for her clever
and beautiful teacher. At home she raved
about her from morning till night, and
| Adrian, having shrewd suspicion that
| the bookbinder Of Kensington was the
Jessica Lennox that he had known many
| years before, longed with a great longing
| to renew his acquaintance with her; but
| certain shyness held him back. He did
not dare to intrude upon her.
cit is SO long since we met" he told
| himself. She has probably forgotten my
very name. f. Oh, Jessica! could
not bear to be greeted as stranger
Through all these years / have thought of
you, and dreamt of seeing you again, and
| yet now will not force myself upon
| you. If we are to meet it must come about
naturally; but, thank Heaven, may see
you sometimes, gaze upon you from afar
You are as lovely as ever, and have proved
yourself a noble woman. Heaven bless
your -
When Phyllis had been going to the
| studio for some weeks she caught cold, and
| the doctor forbade her leaving the house
| till it was quite well. Much vexed at this
| sudden interruption of her happy days In
| the society Of her beloved friend, she wrote
| a despairing letter to Jessica, who at once
| hurried round to Queen's-gate to console
| and comfort her.
! Upon the stairs as she was leaving Jessica
came suddenly face to face with Adrian
| Barton. and. looking at him with her sweet,
clear eyes, held out her hand.
| You have forgotten me?" she said, soft
| ly. II am Jessica Ler noxv'
Indeed have not" he cried; chat
would be impossible. have thought of
| and longed for this moment since the day
We parted, Miss Lernox" y ft
| "Oh. that is kind!' with a quick. bright
blush. "And"-laughing nervously-"all the
things we used to talk about have come
true. We have changed places, as it were
I congratulate you on your success in Amer
| ica.'
| And on yours in London, Miss Lennox.
You have done well and nobIy'
| Jessica raised her hand quickly. pray
say nothing about that. have had strug-
| gle, but it's over. I shall never"-gayly-
make fortune. but 1 am content. We
| women don't ask for much.''
| And then she passed away from him,
smiling, and he, dazed and bewiIdered with
joy, stood with throbbing heart and misty
| eyes gazing helplessly after her retreating
| figure. During the following week they
met frequently by the little invalid's couch,
| and the awkwardness of the first meeting
over they fell back into their old easy ways
| again. With one on each side of her Phyllis
was supremely\ happy, but as her cold
| yielded to treatment and she knew she
| would soon be well new terror took pos
| session Of her. Jessica would now never
| come to see her. Their pleasant. cozy even
! ings would be at an end forever. It was too
bad, and with all the wiIlfulness of a spoilt
child she resolved to malinger little just
| to keep her dear friend near her for some
time longer.
Never suspecting what was going on
| Jessica grew anxious and. speaking to
\ Adrian upon the subject one evening" she
4 strongly advised him to bring a specialist
| to see and examine his little sister.
''She looks fragile" she said. 'Tt would
| be wrong to allow a cold to settle on her.
| The results might be fatal
Adrian smiled. He knew and understood
| Miss Phyllis better than Jessca did.
II will think over what you say. he an
| swered. "And I-yes-I know exactly the
specialist she requires
They were walking through a quiet part
| of Kensington Gardens, she having allowed
him to see her home, as it was a little late.
I'm glad Of that. If you find the right
man the child may soon be all right
"'Tis not Oh, Jessica, dare I-speak?'
The girl started and grew crimson at the
sound of her name upon his lips.
Speak? oh, yes-I-you know how dear
Phyllis is
81 do not wish to speak of Phyllis, but of
| myself 1 want the same thing as Phyllis.
You, Jessica!-oDly you-always with me!
| No. don't turn away. love you! 1 love
you! Ohv'-catching her hand-"tell me j
may hope. Tell me you will be my wife!''
Jessica turned and looked at him and
their eyes met; but. though her lips trem-
| bled, she did not speak.
/ "Jessicar' he whispered. MY darling!
az Nv