The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-26

with hardly q cloud to be seen. HOW de-
lightful and strange it all felt, She seemed
to be in a new world. Everything had in
terest for her. even to the smallest de-
tail. How clean and bright things looked
after the CRIME and dirt OF London! The
houses On the opposite side to her stood out
in strong relief against the bright blue sky
The sunshine brought out the deep reds
and yellows OF the autumn leaves and
cleaned upon the white fronts of the build
ings. She was delighted, and she turned
away with tears Of joy in her lovely eyes.
Just then she heard a knock at the door,
and to her Come in Morton entered. She
brought a message from Miranda. Would
Miss Hammond be ready to drive with Mad
anne at 10 o'clock? An hour later she
and Mrs. Lister were sitting behind pair
of lovely grays in perfectly appointed VIC
toria
II have little shopping to get through
first" said Miranda. ''and then we go on to
lunch with friends
Sybil was rather astonished at Miranda's
appearance this morning. She did not seem
quite the same as hitherto. Her costume
cheeks a little deeper, and there was gen.
two hours spent in choosing most costly
clothing of various kinds which she fancied
she required she gave the order to be driven
to the house of the friends with whom they
were to lunch. A large, overdressed wom-
an received them with great effusiveness,
making much Of Sybil. There were several
gentlemen in the room. but no other ladies.
They were introduced to Sybil and she
made herself agreeable as well as her lin
tied French would allow. She talked with
them some little time while Miranda was
still occupied with their hostess. Somehow
she was very uncomfortable in their So
ciety. There was nothing very definite that
she could object to in what they said. but
it was the tone and expression that accom-
panied their words that annoyed her-par-
ticularly in the case Of one man. She found
herself wondering whether all Frenchmen
were like these. and mentally comparing
them to the man with whom she had trav-
eled from London to Dover. though she
was displeased with herself when she dis
covered the trend Of her thoughts. By the
time they left in the middle of the after
noon the feeling had increased greatly. The
conversation, to say the least of 1t, had
lacked refinement; and although she had
not been able to follow all that was said
she had understood sufficient to fully real
lie that these people lived upon a lower
plane than those with whom she had
hitherto associated. Her establishment was
in Miranda. She seemed to join in and take
everything as a matter Of course. She APP
peared quite happy in the company Of these
people.
'You will all be at my at home to-mor-
row evening"" she said, lightly, as they
left, and Sybil wondered still more. Mrs.
Lister noticed that she was rather quiet as
they drove away.
at hope you have enjoyed your day,
dear?" she said. as they neared the
Champs Elysees "How do you like my
French friends?"
mot particularly, am sorry to say" re-
turned Sybil, timidly.
ooh, my child, all that Is insular preju-
dice. You will think of things in quite a
different light in six weeks time"
Heaven grant that may not!" was the
girls mental ejaculation. She was glad 20
be once more alone I'm her room. She found
there a letter addressed to herself, having
the Paris postmark upon 1t. "Who can
possibly know me in Paris?" she said, as
she tore open the envelope. She unfolded
the letter and read almost the same words
written in the note she had thrown upon
the floor of The Paris custom house only
the previous day. Had she received this
letter only few hours earlier she would
have destroyed and taken no further notice
of II. But now, read in the light of the
days experience. she gave it thoughtful at
tention. "At any rate will see him." she
decided at length. after much pondering.
ST will ask him to call here tomorrow
evening. There can be no harm in that,
and it will give me time for consideration.
She wrote a precise little note to John
Thornley,, saying that she would grant him
the interview he wished for. although she
had not the slightest idea of his meaning.
She said that o'clock the following even
ing would be the best time for him to call.
She fixed this hour as Miranda would then
be engaged with her guests. and she hoped
to be able to slip from the room unnoticed.
The following day was occupied by Mrs.
Lister in attending to various small mat
tiers. SYPHILIS time was spent in pronouncing
opinion upon first one costume and then
another which Miranda put on for her in
spection, and in arranging the masses or
flowers which had been ordered. regardless
of cost. for the decoration Of the salon. She
loved her work, as far the flowers were
concerned, and arranged them with ex-
auisite taste, but there were far too many
an extravagant profusion which grieved
her. The scent, too, was overpowering,
| though the room was large. Mrs. Lister
entered just as she was arranging her last
| bunch of roses.
"Oh, you dear!' she gushed. my salon
| has never looked so beautiful before. You
are an artist. 1t is perfectly glorious"
IT thought there were rather too many
| flowers" remarked Sybil. timidly.
THAT is quite impossible. The effect is
splendid Now run away and dress, dear,
| and make yourself as lovely as you have
made my rooms
| Sybil slipped on her only evening gown,
which, though by no means new, was most
| becoming to her. 1t was of soft black
material, and was well nodded to her fine
| figure She fastened delicate spray of
| flowers across the bodice. Miranda had
| chosen a gorgeous yellow satin and much
| jewelry in which she felt radiant.
| The guests began to arrive. They were
| chiefly French. though a few of them were
English. The women were overdressed and
tho man affected and hold or so thew