The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-20

it came about no one knows. We know
that Eustace was at Newport with her
last summer, and that the pledges were
passed toward the close of the season.
But what is the use of repeating idle
talk? | only know what people say,
which is very poor authority"
"What do people say, Julian?"
''Oh, you want that, too, even when
it may not be true? Well, remembering
that it is rumor-scandal perhaps is a
better word for it-thc story is told to
me that this Mrs. Forsythc, whose hus.
band died while she was yet very young
and left her with two-thirds of his inn
mense fortune, has always used her
great powers of fascination to break
hearts. That has been her chief source
Of amusement and delight for years. Tho
story is that Lamar was madly III love
with her before she married Mr.. For
sythe, but that she rejected him tomake
u wealthy alliance with that physical
monstrosity. This last summer they met
again after separation of years. She
showed him unusual favOrs and did her
utmost to win him back. 1t is said that
he resisted all her advances, but that
she finally triumphed by somehow en-
ticing his mother on her side. That
might be easily so with a vain and
worldly woman like Mrs. Lamar. They
go on to say that this Mrs Lamar hint
ed and pleaded and argued with her son
until finally, to rid himself of pcrsccu-
tion, never dreaming that she would
accept him, he so far forgot his dignity
as to ask Mrs. Forsythe one evening If
she had ever had cause to regret the lit.
tie No she had once given him. She
told him Yes with a warmth and fer
vor that took his breath away, and he
had committed himself before he knew
it,"
"Just as heard it, Julian Was itnot
also said that this second proposal was
q mOckery, so coldly and contcmptuous-
ly framed that any woman with a spark
Of self respect would have taken it as
an INSULT"
Miss Maxey spoke vehemently, with
bright red spot III either cheek The
artist moved uneasily in his chair
"You know, Ellen, of how little value
this gossip is. j."
Let us not deceive ourselves, Julian.
The gossip as you call it, comes most
directly. | need hardly remind You that
have friend who knows this Forsythe
woman, who was with her last summer
at Newport, and who has seen something
of her since"
''Indeed" cried Maxey. "This is news
to me. I did not know it. Neither do I
know Mrs Forsythe."
Said Ellen earnestly: Julian, know
of her l know that she has q terrible,
ungovernable temper. I do not believe
she is o good woman. She would make
Lamar wretched, more wretched than
he is now. This match must be broken
off. Yes, Julian, it is no longer useful
to disguise the truth, even if we could
Dr.. Lamar neglects his business. He
neglccts it to come here. He no longer
cares to be first in his profession as he
used. His reputation as physician is
in danger You have heard as we'll as
I that he has refused to take important
cases, cases which it was in every way
for his interest to take. You know it
and cannot deny the reasons This wo-
man has him in her clutches, and from
false sense of honor most creditable
to himself, he refuses to break away.
This is the plain truth, as You know,
and 1 say again this match must be
broken OFF,
Every word Of this had its effect
Maxey knew too well its force and its
truth. There was no doubt that the phil
osophic physician had undergone a
change in the past few months, and there
was also good reason to believe that Miss
MaXey had named the cause. But what
could the artist do? He replied at last
hositatingly:
Suppose I say yes, heartily yes, to
all that you have said, what then? / do
not doubt the advisability of breaking
off the match, but hOw?"
"Who could do it better than your
self, Julian"
"You" Maxey spoke bluntly, bat So
riously.
Ellen flashed n startled, apprchonsivo
glance at her brother.
"You are not treating n serious mat
ter seriously. DR. Lamar has been very
kind to us. We have noright to let him
60 blindfolded to a fate worse than
death. You are his nearest friend. You
will, you must warn himl"
My dear sister, / have warned him
and pleaded with him. How does he take
it? He simply becomes angry, makes an
admission to me that I am not at liberty
to repeat and forbids me ever again to
mention the subject ] feel that / have
cleared my conscicnce-morc, that I
have done all that it is possible for me
to do. Lamar is not man one can adj
wise as if he were little child. No.
Ellen; seriously, it is your turn"
'I? What preposterous idea? What
right have / to advise him? What would
he think Of me if-oh, no, Julian, neverl
could not mention the matter to him.
"You are not so simple as to suppose
I meant that, Ellen. You are woman
and a bright woman. Is it necessary for
you to say? Actl That is what / mean
Teach him. You can do it better than
anybody else. have no confidence that
this marriage will ever take place. Al
ready it has been delayed nearly a year.
Who doyou suppose is to blame for that?
Not she surely. She is said so far to
have seen the folly of her youthful error
that she adores him now. "
Ellen answered him in low voice:
Unfortunately, Julian happen to
know to the contrary. The marriage has
been postponed at her own request. /
have that from Lamar's sister,"
"Oh, You havep Maxey regarded her
with fixed look "You are so we'll in
formed on this subject, Ellen, that I do
| mt fool tr tn1ly Will, ,o,,