The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-15

by that discreet fIterl. she Impaired to Rosa
9niy, what had taken place; dwelling WITH a
had received, but almost limiting II TO that
words befvsan 49, ClOSHin os,, 81 consider
alton for her new friend. passing lightly
mated in her lovers taking things in general
a petition from her brotber that She would
forgive him; and. having delivered it with
slsterly earnestness. made an end of the sub
1t was reserved for Miss Twinkleton to tone
down the public mind Of the Nuns House. That
lady. therefore entering in a stately manner
room, but what. in the patrician language or
the head of the Nuns House. was euphuistical-
~, not TO say rOund-abOutedly denominated
the apartment allotted TO study" and say
ing with a forensic air, Ladies' all rose;
MIS-. fisher at the same time grouped herself
behind her chief. as representing Queen Eliza
beth's first historical female friend at Tilbury
Fort Miss Twinkleton then proceeded to re-
mark that 'Rumor, Ladies. had been represent
ed by the bard Of Avon-needless were it TO
mention the immortal Shakespeare. also called
the Swan Of his native rice. not improbably
with some reference to the ancient s%upersti-
jennings will please stand upright sang sweet
" on the approach Of death, for which we
nave no archaeological authority, -Rumor. La
hemi-
The celebrated jew"
as painted full of tongues. Rumor in Clois-
terham miss Ferdinand will honor me with
her attention. was no exception to the great
limner's portrait of Rumor lsewhere. \ slight
fracas between two young gentlemen occurring
peaceful walls Miss Ferdinand. being apparent
ly incorrigible, will have the kindness to write
the first four fables Of our vivacious neigh
Dor. Monsieur La Fontaine) had been very
grossly exaggerated by Rumor's voice. 1t Is
the first alarm and anxiety arising from our
sympathy with a sweet young friend. not who'll
ily to be dissociated from one of the gladiators
in the bloodless arena i'm question Cthe impro-
priety Of Miss Reynolds's appearing TO stab
herself in the band with a pin. is far too OBJ
vious. and too glaringly unladylike. to be
pointed OUT, we descended from our maiden
elevation to discuss this uncongenial and this
unfit theme. Responsible inquiries having as-
sured US that it was but one of those airy
and date Of birth Miss Giggles will supply
within an hour, we would now discard the
grateful labors of the day.
But the subject so survived all day. never
theless, that Miss Ferdinand got into new
trouble by surreptitiousiy clapping on a paper
mustache at dinner-time, and going through the
giles. who drew a tablespoon in defense.
Now, Rosa thought of this unlucky quarrel a
great deal, and thought of It with an uncom-
Portable feeling that she was involved in it,
as cause, or consequence, or what not, through
being in a false position altogether as to her
marriage engagement. Never free from such
uneasiness when she was with her afhanced
free from II when they were apart. To-day,
too. she was. cast in upon herself, and deprived
Of the relief of talking freely with her new
friend. because the quarrel had been with Hell
ena's brother, and Helena undisguisedly avoid
ed the subject as a delicate and difficult one
to herself. At this critical time. of all times.
Rosa's guardian was announced as having come
10 see her.
Mr.. Grewgious had been we'll selected for
his trust, as a man Of incorruptible integrity,
discernibie on the surface. lie was an arid.
sandy man, who. If he had been put into a
grinding mill. looked as il ne would have ground
Immediately into high-dried snuff. lie had a
scanty fiat crop Of hair, in color and consist
it was SO unlike hair. that it must have been
a wig. but for the stupendous improbability
The little play Of feature that his face presented.
was cut deep into 1t. in a few, hard curves
tain notches in his forehead. which looked as
though Nature had been about TO touch them
into sensibility or refinement, when she had
impatiently thrown away the chiseI. and said:
Il really cannot be worried to finish off this
man: let him go as he is"
With too great length of throat at his upper
end, and too much ankle-bone and heel at his
lower; with an awkward and hesitating man
ner; with a Rambling walk; and with what is
called a near s~ight-vhich perhaps prevented
his observing how much white cotton stocking
he displayed to the public eye. in contrast with
his black suit-Mr. Grewgious still had some
strange capacity in him of making on the
whole an agreeable impression.
Mr.. Grewgious was discovered by his ward.
much disconnected by being in Miss Twinkle
toms company in Miss Twinkleton's own sacred
room. Dim fOrebodings of being examined
in something, and not coming well out of ii,
seemed to Cypress the poor gentleman when
found in these circumstances.
MY dear. how do you do? 1 am glad TO see
Permit me TO hand you a chair, my dear"
the polite Universe: viii you permit me to
retire?
by no means. madam. on my account. 1
beg. that you will not move"
Il must entreat. permission to move" re-
turned Miss Twinkleton, repeating the word
with a charming grace; but l will not with
draw III iel since &c you c are so w IpIgRs- shall ii %heei
the way?"
Madam In the way!'
You are very kind;-Rosa, my dear you
will be under no restraint am sure
Here Mr.. Grewgious, left by the fire with
RnCa said again NV daar hnur do ~ DO
am glad to see you, my dear" And having
waited for her to sit down. sat down himself.
those of the angels-not that l compare myself
to an angel"
mot by any means" assented Mr.. Grewgious.
Il merely refer to my visits. which are few
and far between; The angels are We know
Miss Twinkleton looked round with a kind
Il refer, my DEAR" said Mr.. Grewgious, lay
Ing his hand on Rosa,s, as the possibility
ing to take the awful liberty Of calling Miss
Twinkleton my dear; Il refer to the other young
ladies'"
Miss TwinkIeton resumed her writing.
Mr.. Grewgious' with a sense OF not having
MANAGE ms openlng point quite as neatly as
back TO front as If he had just dived. and
were pressing the water out-this smoothing
action. however superhuous, was habitual with
hin-and took a pocketbook from his coat pock-
ct, and a stump of black lead pencil from
Il made he said. turning the leaves: II
made a guiding memorandum or so-aS | US
ually do, for L have no conversational powers
whatever-to which l will, with your permits
sion, my dear, refer. Wei and happy Truly.
You are well and happy, my dear? You look
Yes. indeed, sir" answered Rosa.
For which," said Mr.. Grewgious, with a
bend of his head towards the corner window,
our warmest acknowledgements are due. and l
am sure are rendered. to the material kindness
and the constant care and consideration of the
lady whom l have now the honor TO see before
me-"
This point. again. made but a lame departure
from Mr.. Grewgious. and never got to it's des-
%tination; for. Miss Twinkleton. feeling that the
cOurteS1eS required her to be by this time
quite outside the conversation. was biting the
end of her pen, and looking upward. as wait
ing for the descent of an idea from any
member of the Celestial Nine who might have
one TO spare.
Mr.. Grewgious smoothed his smooth head
again. and then made another reference to his
pocketbook; lining out well and happy" as
" Pounds, shillngs and pence is my next
note. a dry subject Tor a young lady, but an
important subject too Life is pounds, shillings
Of the death of her two parents seemed to
stop him. and he said in a softer tone, and
evidently inserting the negative as an after
thought: Death Is not pounds, shillings and
pence"
His voice was as hard and dry as himself.
and Fancy might have ground it straight. like
himself, into high-dried snuh. And yet, through
the very limited means Of expression that he
possessed, he seemed to express kindness. II
Nature had but finished hin of. Kindness might
have been recognizable in his face at this mo-
ment. But IL the nOtches In his forehead
wouldn't fuse together, and If his face would
work and couldn't play, what could he do,
. Pounds. shilings and pence You find
your allowance always sufficient for your wants.
my dear?'
Rosa wanted for nothing. and therefore it
was ample.
And you are not in debt?'