The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-06-14

for the piano The actions of the couple
did not long escape Mrs Bryce's notice,
for several ladies who had no cavaliers
took pains to whisper to her from time to
time. But Mrs. Bryce. though aston
ished, was merely amused, in stupid
way, although she took occasion to whis-
per to her husband, later in the evening,
that it did not seem to her entirely nee
essary that so healthy woman as Ma
rion Albrough should have leaned so
heavily on him during the promenade.
Before the entertainment ended Miss
Albrough made Bryce promise that any
notes she might write him should be left
where his wife could see them. Bryce
kept his promise, though some Of the
notes, harmless enough in their purport,
were somewhat startling in their famil-
iarity. In spite of all, however, Bryce
informed Miss Albrough, when next
they met, that his wife was not in the
least jealous.
You must give her time, Gerald"
was the reply; don't be impatient, and
do be persistent. You've no idea what
fun it is to me-"
Bryce was right in saying that his wife
had not begun to be jealous, but he did
uOb hHpN lllul SIG WAS JChl-
ousy, in sentimental way, to Masten,
and was hearing many expressions OF in
dignation in return. What troubled
Mr.. Bryce most. however, was that Mas
ten did not improve an opportunity
which was almost an invitation to make
love; his entire mind seemed occupied
by disapproval of Bryce's conduct and
Miss Albrough's notes, all of which Mrs.
Bryce showed him.
When the pretended Irritation again
was visible publicly, Mrs. Bryce began
to be annoyed by whisperings intended
for her ear, which she could not wonder
at, for the couple did seem totally alb
sorbed in one another; they even noticed
the semi seclusion of a deep window
with heavy curtains.
Isn't it dreadful" whispered Mrs.
Bryce to Masten.
"Infernalw exclaimed Masten, with SO
much vehemence that Mrs. Bryce won
dered, after all, whether her admier was
only the gentleman he pretended to be,
instead of the lover she fondly imag-
ined him.
For several weeks Bryce did not miss
a single opportunity to meet Miss AL
brough in society, and although he
warned her that people were already
talking, he was told that people had
talked before, but never injured her rep
utation in the least. Before long Bryce
had the pleasure of informing his fell
low-plotter that her plan was succeed
ing, for Masten did not call as frequent
ly as before, and did not restrict his
attentions to Mrs. Bryce. He said that
his wife was feeling frightened, and Miss
Albrough agreed with him; he also said
that it was strange that his wife did not
rot call kim to account, ara 400; A'is-
',D arion admitted that he WAC ut.
In month he said, "I've an i'm
portant announcement to make; my wife
has fallen in love with me again. ex-
pect that piaue at Mastens entire de-
sertion of her has brought her to her
senses"
Are you sure that he has entirely
discontinued his attentions?" asked Miss
Albrough with more than usual earnest
ness.
"Quite sure" said Bryce.
Then too, have an impairment an
nouncement to make; Mr.. ::Masten never
will renew them"
Are you sure of this?"
Entirely"
May ask your reasons?"
81 am willing to tell you one OF them"
said Miss Marion, with a smile that
Bryce thought quizzical and then puz-
cling, "but mind that you tell it to no
one else without my permission. Mr..
Masten is soon to be my husband"
''Your husband! Mssten? Why,
when-where--how- my word,
Marion, this is extraordinary, though I
cant imagine any bachelor observing
your department toward me in the past
two weeks without falling deSd in love
with you. May ] ask when he pro-
posed ?"
about two years ago."
What And during all the time he
has been flirting with my wife he
HE has been engaged to me all the
while; at least he refused to consider our
engagement broken, although refused
from the first to let it be made public
until he ceased flirting with married Ia
dies"
And all the time in which 1 have i'm
agined You were playing . part to save
an old friend from trouble, You have re-
ally"
Have been doing my best to save my
own silly heart from further torrents.
Dreadfully selfish and deceitful. am /
not? Really, Gerald, Masten is not .
bad fellow, except that he will firt, but
he has done that so long that almost
despaired Of him. when your trouble
gave me good excuse Of disposing OF