The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-02


said, and should start early next morning.
Ill.,
BY the time Michael Willmott reached
Liverpool-for he had to transact business
in London before he started on his journey
to Scotland-the grave, recollected man was
He knew that this visit to Scotland was not
urgent, could be deferred till the end OF
summer IL he so pleased.
He had persuaded himself it was neces-
sary because he found 1t irksome to remain
at Logans. He had travelled alone the last
part of his journey and these reflections
forced themselves upon him till he was
obliged to listen. He stood bag in hand,
on the platform, wondering at his own
recklessness. He asked himself why he
found Logans irksome?
There was no hesitation about that an
swer; II came at once-he could not beer
to see Ruth every day and feel he had no
hope of winning her. Even if she. young
and innocent she was, consented to be-
come his wife, he could not honorably mar
ry her. She was not quite twenty-one and
he was past forty-five. 1t would be infa-
position his guardianship gave him.
How much better and more intimately he
knew her than any outside admirer could.
As yet she knew nothing of the world, CT
of other men. Michael did not care much
for outside opinion, but he felt that people
he knew would shake their heads If he mar
ried such child. In fifteen years she
wohld be in her prime, while he should be
grayheaded and out of everything. So far,
it must be said, few gray hairs showed
among his curling brown locks, and his
dark gray eyes were full of fire and life
He was not very tall, but he was stron
and well-developed. His clean-shave
cheeks and chin added to his look of dis
tinction. More than one person turned to
look at him as he made his way out of the
station
Something drew him back-a sudden
strong conviction of wrong-doing. Then
all at once the cloud lifted and he saw
his own selfishness
He ought to have warned Ruth; 1t was
the duty of a guardian to put himself in
the place of a father to his ward. This
Ruth had always been dutiful in complying
had Stunned her society and left her to
fling herself away, without warning, on
such a ne'er-do-well as David Searle,
Michael stood still and looked at his watch.
There would not be train to Marley for
nearly two hours. He felt desperately i'm
patient to go back and do his duty to his
ward like man. Something might happen
to him i'm Scotland and Ruth would be left
unwarned.
He had time to go through his London
business before the next train started.
There was still half-an-hour to spare
when he came back. He took his ticket for
Marley and then walked to the bookstall
to get some papers for Ruth and Hilda.
A train was coming in, and he looked me-
chanically at the passengers as they turned
out, rather than with the idea of seeing
faces he knew.
He gave so sudden a start that he pushed
against fretful old man who was making
his way through the newly-arrived passen-
gers; he snarled out:
''Confound the fellow! Why don't he
move like other people!'
Michael went on till he stood by the open
door of carriage. He wanted to help the
drew back and seemed alarmed.
why is it?" Michael said gravely.
Don't you know me? What are you doing
here?''
Mascuines have way of heaping ques-
ton on question. 1t is their recipe for
quieting the nerves of an alarmed woman.
For a moment Ruth felt stupefied, then
she said, bravely:
II am going to Mrs. Searle. You said i
might
"Ah, yes he answered, calmly, but /
did not know you We're going so soon.''
".
The sigh of Ruth, first pale with alarm,
then blusbing under his fixed gaze, greatly
disturbed him, but he soon recovered out
ward serenity. He took the girl to wait
ing-room, then he saw after her luggage
and thought out his plans.
He saw that he must go with her to Mrs
Searle; but she must first be told the truth
about David There would be still time,
ne thought, to take her back to Logans if,
on hearing his warning, she should change
her mind.
Meantime, Ruth was becoming more and
guardian. He had looked at her first SO
suspiciously and then SO strangely that she
longed to get away from him and find her.
self alone in cab driving to Mrs. Searles.
What can he be about?" she wondered.
She turned her head and saw him at the
door of the waiting-room.
1--WE will have some luncheon he said
land then 1 will go with you to Mrs
Searle.'
How hatefull'' the girl thought Cant
he see / do not want him.
They drove to restaurant in Piccadilly
Michael having informed the perplexed gir
that he had left her luggage at the sta
ton.
How very tiresomev' She said this to
herself. So afraid was she that he might
question her that she actually smiled
. Il thought you were in Scotland, or on
your way there she said, when, to her
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