The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-11-27
sYNGPSIS


MRS, JACKSON OWEN, wealthy widow of
Indianapolis, who has provided the
money for her expenses.
But on this bright summer morning at
Waupegan. she CLEANS from converse
ton with her beneIactors niece,
MRS. MoRToN BAssETF. wife Of promi-
pressed because Mrs. Owen has not sug-
gested . college course for her daughter
Marian. whom she wishes to become
writer.
WRIGHT & FITCH of Indianapolis. young
DAN HARDWOOD pores over documents
during the day. studies law al night ana
as q side line writes for the Courier. a
Democratic publication.
By request of the writer Sylvia IA not
20 know the contents OF an unsigned let
ter delivered to her grandfather by a
strange young man. containing PROPOSE
iiOn which he refuses.
Sylvia thinks II viii do no harm 70 re-
peat to Mrs. Bassett remark OF her
aunt'S. that had struck her as being
funny.
Il just happened to remember
something Mrs. owen said about col
Ieges. She said that II Il Isn't in the
colt the trainer can't put it there. and
I suppose the successful literary wom-
en- have had genius whether they had
higher education or not. George Eliot
hadn't a college training, but Of
course she was a very great woman"
Mrs. Bassett compressed her lips.
She did not Ike this quotation from
Mira. Owens uterances on this vexed
question OF higher education. Could
Il be possible that Aunt Sally looked
upon Marian as one OF those colts for
whom the trainer could do nothing?
'T have never felt that young girls
should read George Eliot. She doesn' I
seem to me quite an ideal to set be
fore a young girl"
As Sylvia knew nothing OF George
Eliot. except, what she had CLEANED
from the biographical data in text
book on nineteenth-century writers.
she was unable to follow Mrs. Bassett.
She had read Mil on the Floss and
"Romola" and saw no reason why ev-
cry one shouldn't enjoy them
Mrs. Bassert twtrled her closed para
sol absently and studied the profile Of
the girl beside her
THE requirements for college are
not really so difficult. suppOse?" she
suggested
SylWa's dark eyes frightened as she
faced her interlocutor. Those of US
who know Sylvia find that quick flash
Of humor tn her eyes adorable
''Oh. they can't be. for | answered
most OF the questions she exclaimed.
and then. seeing no response in her
lnQuisitor. she added soberly: 1T 3
all set out In the catalog and l have
one with me. I'd be glad TO bring 1t
over II you'd like to see it."
Thank you. Sylvia should like
20 see It. may want 10 ask you
some questions about the work: but
Of course you won't say anything 10
Marian OF our talk. l am not quite
sure. and III have 70 discuss II with
Mr.. Bassett."
of course shan't speak Of it. Mrs.
Bassett.''
Mar1an's voice was now heard call
ing them. down the path. and the girl
appeared. a moment later. nunching g
cit OF toast succeed with Jam and
eager to be of for the casino where a
tennis match was scheduled for the
morning.
Don't be late for dinner this eve
ming. Marian; your father viii be here.
and IL you see Blaczford. be sure to
tell him TO meet the $40"
Yes. mama, III remember, and III
try TO meet the train. too" And then
to Sylvia. as she led the way TO the
boathouse to get the canoe. I'm glad
dads coming He's perfectly grand,
and I'm going TO see If he won't give
me a naphtha launch Dads a Eoo&
old scout and he's pretty sure TO
do t."
Sylvia had formed the habit Of
stealing away in the long twilights,
after the cheerful gathering dt Mrs.
Owens supper table. for little self
communing. Usually Mrs. Owen and
Professor KeIton fell to talking OF
old times and old friends at this hour
and Sylviais disappearance weIs IN
remarked She felt the joy OF living
these days. and loved dearly the de
laying hour between day and night
that Is so lovely. so touched with
poetry In this region A little creek
ran across Mrs. Owens farm. cutting
for itself a sharp defile to facilitate
its egress into the lake; and Sylvia
liked TO throw herself down beside a
favorits maple, with the evening
breeze whispering over the young
corn behind her. and the lake, with
its hear open to the coming OF the
stars, quiet before her. and dream
the dreams that I'LL a girls heart In
those blessed and wonderful days
when the brook and river meet.
On this Saturday evening Sylvia
was particularly happy The Gays
activities. that had begun late. left her
a little breathless. She was wonder
ing whether any one had ever been
so pleansatnly ordered. Her heart
beat quickened as she thought OF
college and the busy years that
awaited her there; and after that
would come the great worlds wide
open doors. She was untouched by
envy. hatred or malice. Her path had
fallen in pleasant places. and only
benignant spirits attended her.
She was reused suddenly by the
sound Of steps in the path bereath.
MS AHAASAL SAICtudAS Aou ACfS'
been invaded before. and she rose
hastily. a narrow brimmed straw
hat rose above the elderberry bushes
and with a last effort a man stood on
level ground. painting from the climb.
He took of his hat and mopped his
tace as he glanced about. Sylvia had
lrawn back. but as the stranger
could not go on without seeing her
she stepped forward and they faced