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


least one thing that can do we'll"
At last the crash came. awful and more
terrible even than was expected. John
Lennox was ruined. and the shock and
horror was more than he could bear. An
attack of his heart laid him suddenly
PROSTATE one day upon the floor Before
night he wac dead!
Upon Jessica now devolved the entire
management OF everything. Her mother.
weak and helpless, was incapable Of
thought or action. So, cut to the heart,
sorrowing, yet brave and courageous, the
girl set to work with a will. resolved to
do what she could to spare the poor woman.
all possible pain and suffering. 1t was
difficult task; but when at last the furni-
ture was sold and they had left the big
house In Queen's-gate for tiny fiat in
West Kensington, Mrs. Lennox seemed
fairly well satisfied. She praised her
daughter loudly for her good management
and sweet kindness; and Jessica. feeling
well rewarded for her hours of anxiety
and fatigue. began to think how she could
settle down to make a little money.
''There'll be barely enough left, when all
poor fathers debts are paid, for the rent
and most common necessaries Of life,'' she
told herself; so now work, real work,
must be done. Jessica Lennox. No more
playing for you. Henceforth you are a
working woman
With this intention she took a couple Of
small rooms in street off the High
street, Kensington, and set up with a hope
full and courageous heart as a bookbinder.
In this emergency Florence Fairbairn, her
mothers first cousin. proved an invaluable
friend. The girls sturdy independence
was a revelation to her. accustomed as she
was to the pretty, frivolous maidens she
met in society, thinking of little but their
own pleasure and adornment, their own OBJ
ject being to amuse themselves first, and
ultimately secure a wealthy husband. Com
pared with these contemplate creatures,
Jessica seemed heroine. and the kind
hearted woman resolved to help her In
every way she could. So she went round
her rich acquaintances blowing the girls
horn. telling them how beautifully she
bound books and how fashionable it was to
have all ones pet poets and authors in
ones drawing room In elegant and artistic
covers. In a certain set Mrs. Fairbairn was
looked up to as person Of taste, and her
word was law. &c. very soon good orders
poured into the little studio in Kensing-
ton. Two or three nice girls followed as
pupils, and in a few months Jessica was
fairly well launched, and doing useful and
paying work as binder of books.
"Jessicas caprice will be her saving after
ALL" Mrs. Fairbairn would say. "Shes a
good girl, and I'm delighted with her; but
she deserved a better fate. A good and
wealthy husband is what she ought to have,
lovely as she is; but, of course''-with a
shrug OF her shoulders-"all that is over
now Working for her bread, shut up in
set of girls in blue overalls. where on earth
could such being come from?"
Such, thoughts as these never troubled
Jessica, however. She was happy at her
work and deeply thankful that she was get
ting on SO well.
Years went over. and with various fuc-
tuations-for in every business there are
| good days and bad-Jessica progressed. She
| had good deal of artistic taste and her de-
signs for binding were greatly appreciated
and sought after. The work took time and
labor, but as she liked it and it paid her
well she was content.
You're marvellous girl" Mrs. Fairbairn
said one day, glancing round the little
studio. "Is there anything more I can do
for your
Jessca laughed gayly.
my dear fairy godmother, I think not
could do very well with another pupil.
But
''You shall have her. I feel sure shall
| find one soon. Au revoir I'm off to look
| her up amongst my friends and admirers -
| And she ran out of the room.
Floss is more marvellous than I am
Jessica said. smiling, as the carriage bear
| ing her kind and useful friend drove off
| from the door. ''She really is"
81 have been waiting on the mat for half
an hour. May come in?" asked a sweet
| voice, and looking round Jessica saw a
small. exquisitely dressed little maiden with
| a very fair face and a pair of big brown
/ eyes standing in the doorway.
| "Come in. please. I'm SO sorry you've
had to watt" Jessica cried In some con-
fusion and lifting forward chair. 81
never heard you ring"
please don't apologize" the girl said,
sitting down. my time is not precious.
In fact, I've nothing in the world to do,
and that's why am here"
l JeSSlca looked at ner III some duluSeIuent
"a curious reason for coming. Do you
wish me to bind books for your?
"Oh, not" laughing a little nervously
at want you to teach me how to bind
| them"
! Indeed! You want to become my
pupil?' Jessica remarked, her eyes
wandering over the girls rich, yet pretty
costume. "A caprice she thought, then
1 blushed deeply. remembering how vexed
she had been when people had said that
of her own desire to learn bookbinding.
YES 1 think / might like the work, .
| toying with gold chain round her neck
"You see, wasn't always rich. and Adrian
says
"Adrian?" Jessica started and changed
| color 1t was many years since she had
heard that name. But one. man of her
acquaintance had ever borne it. Still
doubtless there were many other Adrians
| in the world.
"Yes He's my brother, you know" went
on her visitor. HE has made money
quite fortune-and so we're all rich
The others seem happy; but somehow il
| bores me to dress up and read novels al
day Ions, and we don't know many people
to ask us out, so Adrian said 1 ought &c
learn bookbinding. He's awfully good al