The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-06
CHAPTER III.
THE TOTAL ECLIPSE.

it leads directly out of an important ave-
nue. through which there is much pass
ing, but because it is not thoroughfare.
On two sides substantial brick houses
present an uninterrupted front to the
street. On the third side high picketed
fence prevents it from leading over a
solid pile of masonry, rising only to its
level and known as q sea wall, directly
into the river. Ballavoine place and all
the streets il this vicinity occupy what
is termed made land," for the timb
was not long ago when the tide from the
noighboring harbor flowed twice a day
over the salt marshes 20 feet below the
present paved and solid surface. There
fore it is that the buildings are all new
and stately, and that only well TO do
people live here. No. 20 is the last house
on the street next the river 1t is so near
it indeed that on y narrow courtyard
intervenes between the sea wall and its
foundation stones. This house is what is
populTly termed 'an apartment house"
that is to say, it is let out in suits,
floor by floor, to different families.
In December, 1884, the name on the
books Of the lessee Of this house against
suit No. ., which comprised the rooms
III the upper story, was Julian Maxey,
IL that month OF that year and week
after the episode on the cliff road the art
ist was talking with his friend, the
physician, in the large square chamber
the last in his series, which he was ac-
customed to call his sitting room. The
great easy chairs and the comfortable
sofa in this apartment seemed to war
rant the appellation. The piano, the nu-
mcrous rows Of well filled bookshelves
and Il sidoboard with decanter on it
somewhat widoned the range of posi-
bilities, however, and the presence of a
bed, shut i'll with pretty lace curtains,
made the term entirely inadequate to
the subject. twas a room, in fact, in
which astrangor might have spent days
and nights Of profit and amusement
without the necessity of going out very
frequently for anything pertaining to
luXuries Or necessities, bodily or mental
ly. Indian clubs and dumbbells on shelf
in corner afforded an opportunity for
indoor exercise; the sideboard was
treasury Of refreshment; there was read
ing enough for years study. The walls
wcro covered with pictures, and half
painted canvas on an easel near win
dow showed another in tho process of
mulufactue. There was q cheerful fire
in an opcn CRATE. On the center table
was sewing basket, some fancy work,
several uncut magazines and papers,
cigar case and reading lamp. From
any point i'll the room the occupant
could command view Of the broad riv-
er and Of the fields and spires on the
farther shore At this time of year the
folds and hills were white, and the river
was full of ice
The doctor had just como out Of a
windowless alcovochamber, whichnMght
be separated from the main apartment
by curtains, now prettily looped back.
In the obscarity beyond could be seen
bed and the face Of young woman
pale face, with large, dark eyes, which
rovod about incessantly, as if III quest
Of a horror that never came.
'How does she seem today?" Julian
Maxoy qucstionodin in a tone of deep anx-
ioty.
"Just rs she has been since we found
her, just as she seems likely to be for
tho rest OF her dNys-in state of total
eclipse. " There was 10 air of iocularity
about DR.. Lamar's manner. He was
very much dissatisfied with the situa-
ton, although his concern was of diff
fcrcnt nature from MaXey's. A medical
problem that batled him always aroused
in him grin@ antagonism that was far
Erom humorous.
lyon dcG't mean to tell me you are
beginning to look upon this as hope
less case?' Maxcy exclaimed in conster-
nation Whenever Maxey got excited,
his hair promptly exhibited tendency
TO assume an erect attitude, and his neck
tic inevitably became awry. Lamar not
cd that he was now somewhat excited.
II mean to tell you, as 1 have told
you, that oven partial recovery is very
improbable"
But you will noSsay impossible?"
"They arc Synonymous terms with
most of us. For my part, am cautious.
There is the one chance III q million
that always exists.
Miss Manoy had come into the room
in time to hear this disheartening reply.
She spoke up, with almost hysterical en-
phaais:
"And that one chance will save her.
l believe too much in the Justice of
heaven to think for q moment that she
will lie here and die with closed lips. |
don't, can't believe it. As sure as
there is God Or any Providence in
human events, the time will come when
that poor girl will speak and denounce
tao inhumtn monster who pushed her
from the roadl"
''You believe in poetic justice, Miss
Maxey. Unfortunately for me, am a
practical physician and obtain my idea
Of human events frlm life and not from
novels. The time may come, it is true,
but to say that it will is to show depth
of confidence in my skill and ability
which hardly possess myself. This girl
certainly cannot recover without med
ical aid, and it is utterly beyond my COM
prehonsion, for you may as well know
the truth at once, how medical aid can
reach her. That is how the matter stands
at present.
'But the present is not the future, "
cried Miss Maxoy, with q warm glow in
her checks. Perhaps, in spite of all her
enthusiasm, she felt it was Lamar she
spoke to- Nothing can make me believe
that she will die like this God would
not permit such a crime to go unpunish-
ed"
Without discussing that, my dear