The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-09
The Mystery Of Charlie, s;s....
Edwin brood W.
Charles Dickens

THE whole thing is. It is so absurd to be
the s and b anG ss 80 about
one, like mice in the wainscot; and IL is so
absurd to be called uponr' ,Ao
corner of its mouth while making this COM
You give me an anectionate reception. Pussy.
Well, win in a minute. Eddy. but 1 can't
Il unable to reply that L am much the
better for seeing you, Pussy, inasmuch as see
This second remonstrance brings dark bright
poutIng eye out from corner of the apron; but
partition exclaims 'Oh. good graciousl you
have had half your hair cut offl''
head cut of, 1 think says Edwin. rumpling
the hair in question. with fierce glance at the
ioooking,glass. and giving an impatient stamp
NO. you needn't go just yet, Eddy. The
girls would all be asking questions why you
"once for all. Rosa, will you uncover that
ridiculous little head OF yours and give me a
The apron is pulled of the childish head, as
There I'm sure that's nice. Shake hands. No.
drop in my mouth
oh, yes, I'm dreadfully giad--Go and sit
1t is the custom of that excellent lady when
these visits occur TO appear every three min
9 ns either in her own person or in that of
OF Propriety by affecting to look for some desid-
Grated article on the present occasion Miss
ing How do you do, Mr. brood? Very glad
indeed to have the pleasure Pray excuse me-
II got the gloves last evening Eddy, and I
like them very much. They are beauties"
plies half ernmSiine .sThe Smallest encour-
agement thankfully received. And how did you
DELIGHTFULLY."- Everybody gave me present.
And we had a feast. And We had a ball at
"A feast and a ball. Ell? These occasions
seem TO go off tolerably well without me,
delightfully."- cries Rosa. in a quite spon-
taneous manner, and without the least pretense
.Hahl And what was the feast?'
.. tarts. oranges, jellies and shrimps.'
I'VE danced with one another. of course. sir.
But some of the girls made game to be their
Did anybody make game to be-
TO be you? dear, yes!'' cries Rosa,
laughing with great enjoyment. THAT was
Il hope She did pretty WELL" says Edwin
"Oh. it was excellent,-I wouldn't dance with
you, you know"
Edwin scarcely seems to see the force of this;
why.
Because was SO, tired, of you returns
o seeing IN 5 add ac end ddy
you were just tired me, you know"
Did l say so. Rosa?'
showed it. Oh. she did ii so well," cries Rosa,
In sudden ecstacy with her counterfeit be-
at strikes me that she must be devilish
impudent girl" says Edwin brood. And so.
Pussy you have passed your last birthday in
this old house"
"Ah. .yesl'' Rosa clasps her hands. looks
down with a sigh, and shakes her head.
You seem to be sorry, Rosa
81 am sorry for the poor old place. Somehow.
L feel as If 1t would miss me, when / am gone
Perhaps had better stop short Rosa ?"
She looks up at him with a swift bright look
down again
That is to say, is it. Pussy that we are
She mods her head again. ana after short
silence quantity bursts out with: You know we
must be married, and married from here, Eddy.
or the poor girls will be dreadfully dsap-
For the moment there is more OF compassion,
both for her and for himself in her affianced
husbands face. than there is of love. He checks
the look and asks: shall take you out for a
walk, Rosa dear?
Rosa dear does not seem at all clear on this
point until her face, which had been comically
reflective, brightens. .Oh. yes Eddy let go
shall pretend that you are Engaged to somebody
else and III pretend that AM not engaged to
DO you think that will prevent our falling
out, Rosa7''
II know it will. Hushl Pretend to look out
of the window-Mrs. Tisher!''
Through fortuitous concourse of accidents.
the matronly fisher heaves in sight says in
rustling through the room like the legendary
ghost OF dowager In silken skirts: Il hope
may Judge from his complexion l trust dis
turb no one; but there was a paper knife-Oh.
thank you. am sure!'' and disappears with her
prize
'one other thing you must do, Eddy. to oblige
me- me. says Rosebud: The moment we get into
close to the house yourself-squeeze and Craze
by all means, Rosa, If you wish it, May
obi because 1 don't want the girls to see
IT'S a fine day; but would you like me to
carry an umbrella up?
III cir Won
shoulder raised.
girls, even If they did me-" remarks Edwin,
looking down at his boots with sudden dis
Nothing escapes their notice, sir And then
L know what would happen. Some of them
they free) that they will on any ac-
count engage themselves to lovers without pol
ished leather boots. Hark! Miss Twinkleton.
That discreet lady being indeed heard with
out, inquiring of nobody in blandly converse
tional tone as she advances: Eth? Indeed.
Are you quite sure you saw my mother-of pearl
button-holder on the work table in my room %
is at once solicited for walking leave. and gra-
ciously accords II. And soon the young couple
tons against the discovery of the so vitality
defective boots of Mr. Edwin brood, precau-
lions, let us hope, effective for the peace OF
Mrs. Edwin brood that is to be.
(which way shall we take. Rosa?
Delight shop"
TO the?
"A Turkish sweetmeat, sir: MY gracious me-
an engineer, and not know that?''
Why. how should | know, Rosa"
Because 1 am very fond of them. But oh,
forgot what we are to pretend. No you needn't
So he is gloomily borne off TO the Lumps-of
Delight shop, where Rosa makes her purchase
and, after offering to him (Which he
rather Indignantly decnes), begins to partake
of it with great zest: previously taking off and
leaves. and occasionally putting her little pink
fingers TO her rosy lips. TO cleanse them from
the Dust OF Delight that comes off the Lunps
Now, be a good-tempered Eddy, and pre-.
tend. And so you are engaged?'
And so l am engaged"
Charming
"Tal?
Immensely talIr' Rosa being short
Must be gawl<y. 1 should think is Rosa:
~ beg your pardon: not at ALL" contradic
woman; a splendid woman"
big nose, no doubt" is the quiet commentary
again.
ply (Rosa's being little one.)
Long, pale nose, with red knob in the mid
die. / know the sort of nose says Rosa witt
satisfied nod. and TRANQUILITY enjoying the
You don't know the sort of nose. Rosa &,
with some warmth; because it's nothing OF
the kind
Not a pale nose, Eddy?''
mo" Determined not TO assent.
"A red nose? OH l don't like red noses
However, TO be sure. she can always pow.
der it,"
"she would scorn powder it," says Edwin
becoming heated
Would she? What a stupid thing she must
be, Is she stupid in everything
NO; I'm nothing"
After pause. in which the whimsical,
wicked face has not been unobservant OF him
And this most sensible of creatures likes tn.
idea OF being carried of TO Egypt. does she