The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-31
he Determination Of Miss Searle
By w. Pc TT RID E

tnan poor ROBERTS mother does never
have been got the best of yet, and l don
think "-fiercely-'I do not think that I'm
going to allow myself to be swindled now
You've certainly got wonderfully pleas
ant manner with yoC," remarked the VS.
itor, satirically.
Never you mind my manner"
II don'tr'
Its a question. like everything else. of
pounds, shillings and pence, and it's got
10 be argued out on that basis. Only un-
derstand this. Ask too much, my girl be-
gin TO open your mouth too wide and you
get nothing at all
Il see," remarked Miss Searle, cycling the
lady dangerously
Il know all about the law" said the other,
and so l ought, When my poor brother
was alive we kept some refreshment rooms
not stones throw from where old Temple
Bar used TO be-
Mrs. Wincham entered, bringing the tray:
Il don't want TO get any money out OF
him. said Miss Searle, quietly. Il am only
going TO marry him..
oh, you-you woman! cried the sister
in-law.
lone lump or two, Miss Searle?" asked
the mother, trembling.
%Three." snapped Miss Searle.
I've heard a lot about barmaids, said
the sfter-in-law, heatedly, but had real
ly no idea that they were as wicked as all
this. How in the world you can sit there as
calm-aS calm
MY dear" said Roberts mother to Miss
Searle. soothingly. you mustn't take too
much notice of what my sister-in-law says:
She means well, but she expresses herSelI
rather aWkWardly."
"Awkwardly?" echoed the sister-in-law,
with great amaZement Have l been spared
all these long years simply in order that
should be told that L expressed myself
awkwardly?"
Drink your tea, Maria" suggested the
other.
Not in the same room with this crea-
ture."
You'll be more at home in the kitchen
L dare say remarked Miss Searle.
Il can take a hint as well as here anc
there one" said the sister-in-law, rising
haughtily. Il will go into the kitchen
Mind you, I've done with the whole bust
ness now. Don't so blaming me if
She went out and banged the door,.
Il m sorry If she has upset YOU, sale
Roberts mother, alphabetically.
Il often get upset" said Miss Searle. y
7 think sometimes my temper gets worse a:
l get older. l find myself flying into tan
trums before / know it,
"All the same, my dear" said the mother
! folding up the hem OF the taolecloth, al
the same, I'm glad TO have met you; anC
what l want TO say is I'm sure you'll dc
! your best to be d good wife TO my son
/ He's been such a dear boy to me, and
and l know you'll try to make his lie
| happy"
The young woman looked steadily at th'
| other for a few moments. Then she brough
her veil down below her chin gave IL
| twist, and took up her scented mum.
But you know very well, she remarkeu
| steadily, 'you know very well l shan
| succeed"
You will, my dear if you like him"
Il do like him." said Miss Searle, earnest
! ly. ''Of all the men I've ever known
| She stopped. Look at the time! she crleu
suddenly. I'm due back in the bar quar-
ter of an hour ago And I've got TO wasi
and change, and get off to the theater 10 SEE
| David Garrck.
Il wish you could have stopped longer
my dear. You won't forget, will you, VIVA
l said?'
Il won't forget" replied Miss Searle
shortly.
Young Robert Wincham, teased with jeal
ousy. waited for Miss Searle at the station
that night and met two trains from Veto
| ria by which ii was unreasonable to eXpec
that any one who had been TO the theate
| could arrive. BY the first possible tran
Miss Searle came and ne met her a' ~, ~
top of the staircase; she looked at him witt
| a puzzled air, as one DESTROYS of recalling
name, following this up with look
casual recognition.
! You, is it?" said Miss Searle.
"Who else did you expect?' demanded tn
Il don't like to see boys out so late a
this"
''Boysr' he echoed, amazedly.
Come on said Miss Searle, GROSSLY. 1T
no use standing here arguing. If anybod
| meets us, mind you say you re my nephew
Il shall do nothing of the kind.
"Oh. yes you WILL she said You'll d
as 1 tell you. I'm not going to have m,
prospects in life spoilt by a bit of Kidd
|
U TT wasn't necessary" said the lac
flushing. You're engaged TO me-"
oh You don't ont count. I've got three or fou
strings to my bow-good strings, too"
They turned up the hill from 91i. the mai nal.
road to make their way TO MISS scare
destination she walked sharply, hummln
TO herself when she was not talking.
Il hope you know what you are saying,
said Robert Wincham, agitatedly. Il hop
Nl..N Two Fxr hnF Ncg6
a palm fern for our future home:
Palm fern, indeedI' sneered Miss Searlt
what are you going TO do with palr
1 fern? Eat it?"
Miss Searle stopped.
Now you've said it," she remarked wit
a great show of temper. Now you've gon
just a little too far, my lad; you've over
stepped the mark and I'm going to tell yo
of it, No one has ever called me a foo
to my face
But l didn't" he urged strenuously.
only asked you not TO be silly"
''Oh, that's it, is it? she said. coldly. ''II
accused now of not telling the truth. Tha
clears the air, that does. Now, you'v
mine"
Don't say anything that-that you'll b
sorry for afterwards"
$50 far from being sorry, 1 shall be ur
commonly pleased. I've been saving thi
up for weeks What 1 want to tell you
that I've got several other offers joll
sight better than yours, and what you'v
got to do now is simply to get"
''ro get?'
ITO get away off of my earth; 1 don
want you. I've got no use for you. Yo
can go and play at hop-scotch or anythin
you like, so long as you don't come acros
my path. See?"
She stood at the door of the private sa
loon and waved her muff dicta torially.
us that definite?" asked the lad in 10y
voice.
quite definite
woman again"
"Oh, yes, you will. They amt all lk
me-"
He lifted his cap, and, turning. wake
slowly away with his head bent, going
the direction of his home. She watche
him until he went into the mist of til
night.
"And now sighed Miss Searle, pushin
the swing doors open, now for jolly goo
cry"
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