The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-01
CHAPTER 4.
A MYSTERIOUS JOURNEY.

ready 10 burst, the grass Is unsneatned
| while white-limbed birches and brown
skinned naples are losing their distinctive
Aryan and Semitic types under the green
robes May is weaving for all. Contra
/ dictOry elements are abroad this morning
in the weather; at all events here in Grove
dale. New Hampshire. There is q stiff
northwest wind, a low-reaching fog with
the sun struggling to look through it, and
a sky that looks like rain. If the sun comes
/ out it will not be directly, and it is nearly
time for the o'clock train whistle. After
that half-hour, and then Mr.. Hamilton
must go, if he go at all this morning.
Meanwhile, his wife is trying to convince
him that he would better wait until to-
morrow, it looks so much like rain. a
| fair, handsome couple not yet middle-aged
they stand at the window of the dining
room looking out, rather than at each
/ other. A packed valise rests on a chair,
and the breakfast table is left to the chill
dren, boy and girl. Mr.. Hamilton car
ries light overcoat on his arm, his hat
and gloves in his hand, and yet his wife de-
clines to see that he is ready to go. but
talks idly about the weather. He answers
in the same way, though it is evident to
both that underneath their words there is
deeper meaning. which neither wishes to
make apparent.
Must you, when it looks so much like
rain?" she asks negligently, relying the
ribbon which confines her morning dress.
and picking out the bows before looking
up. But he sees that her hands are fiut-
tering, and that there is a nervous CLEAN
in her eyes which she lifts for a moment
to his face.
Like rain. ConstanceI Why, who ever
knew it to rain. with the wind in the
northwest?'
That is the way it comes lately. IT has
been remarked, Vane, by a great many peo-
pie; and if you should get wet you would
get cold, and with your weak lungs"
"Pshaw. Constance! my lungs are as
strong horse, and so am L."
but your mother died with consump-
ton"
VERY true. But it isn't going to rain,
mark my words; the sun will be out in
less than an hour, and, if it should rain
l am neither sugar nor salt, to dissolve
with the first drop. oh, you may depend
L shall be all right"
But you are not as we'll as usual You
are more nervous. You talk in your sleep,
and your appetite has failed lately"
1.-The more reason why l need a change
The fact is. my business is too much for
me this facilitating spring weather. 1 sus-
pect am little bilious. and since Mr.
Henderson and your uncle have chosen to
leave the mill business so much to me,
that. with my duties at the bank, has worn
me down. They will have to take the reins
in ahc
at the bank for the two weeks / am away"
Always two weeks" murmured his wife
''Yes; and 1 am sure it seems like year.
Then why do you go?'
Because 1 must. You would not under
stand. 1t is best that l do not explain at
present. There goes the whistle. What
shall 1 bring you. Clare?' going TO his lit
tie girls side and STOPPING to kiss her.
A small face, framed in golden hair, with
big, dark eyes looking out from under
fluffy bangs, was raised to his as she
sprang to her feet.
"Oh, must you go? l thought mamma
would make you stay"
II must, Clare. Now, what shall / bring
your
'Oh. ring papa gold ring
"All right. l won't forget. And you
Perley?"
"A writing book. if you please. Mine is
all written through"
Very WELL" kissing the boy as he had his
sister
And what shall l bring you, Constance?"
he asked, returning TO his wife's side
Just yourself, and let il be soon." look
ing eagerly and earnestly into his face.
II shall be back soon, never fear. Con-
stance, you are more beautiful than you
ever were, and love you better" he wills
pered. Il wish l were at home again L
Will be SOON And kissing her hastily he
took his Valise, after putting on his hat
gloves and overcoat. and left the house.
His wife stood by the window watching
him until he was out of sight, when thrill
of superstitious fear shot through her
She had watched him out of sight:
Away back in her childhood a maiden
relative had so strongly impressed her
mind with the maleVolent influences of
such an act that she could never. despite
her common sense; get rid of the belief
1t will be we'll before stigmatizing her as
foolish for the reader to examine his own
mind to see If ii be free of some pet super
stition. Perhaps it relates to Friday as
being unlucky day, or to the number
thirteen, or to breaking a looking glass, or
TO wearing an opal. j think you will find
one, though you laugh at all others, and
may be at that. Still, you will say to your
self that another day than Friday will do
as well, or that an even number say twelve
or fourteen, Is at least as good as thir-
teen, OF Indl OpdiS are not DIS handsome as
other jewels, or II you by any mischance
break mirror your mind runs shuddering-
ly over the state of health pertaining to
the various members of your family to
wonder which is most likely to die before
the year is out.
Be this as it may, Constance, though
a clear headed. sensible woman, was APP
palled to think she had watched her hus-
band out of sight But she was cheered
the next moment by recollecting her tower.
She sped quickly upstairs, then along the
corridor and TO another flight. This brought
her to the foot of the tower which was
built at one side of the house, and rose
fifteen feet above il. There were win
dows in it on all sides, and ii gave a COM
manding view of the country romantic and
unusual, for the house itself was built on
high ground. Scattered about were books
a flute a guitar, and there was also a
small telescope there
Not noticing these objects. however, Con-
stance went straight to the window over
looking the street which led TO the station.
Far adown there was a spot where her
husband would cross the street (unless he
had crossed il already 10 go 10 the train
Fronting the crossing was hotel known as
the Essex House. She might see him.
she thought, at this point. If So she would
nant effect of having watched him out of
sight. Her lips curled at her own folly,
but her determination never wavered even
while she whispered, What fools we wom-
en- arei"
With expectant eyes and half-parted lips
she eagerly watched the turn in the street
which he might, or might not, have passed
All, there he was, just as he left her, walk
ing brskly. With sigh of relief Con-
stance was about to turn away when a
woman stepped out from the hotel door
and coming quickly down the steps. APP