The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-29

And now we approach the climax.
Jasper's ancient sister, angered at her
brothers. unhappiness--for Jasper, it
seems, honestly loved Cecily and. in
true lover fashion, Loyalty went to
pieces when she married Dormer--sent
Dormer a false sketch showing Cecily
in an immodest attitude before Jasper.
Dormer storms, scolds and taunts her.
and finally insists upon a separation.
Mechanically, she leaves the house-her
home no longer--and, albeit in a deli
cate condition. fact which Dormer, be
it said in his favor, did not know, starts
for the first place that enters her mind,
place called 1lfracombe. where she
had once visited with her husband. She
takes lodgings in 1lfracombe with two
sisters, one of whom. about her own
age. seems possessed of means, but de-
void of friends and Stunned by the
neghbors. Between this woman,
Rhoda, and Cecily bond of sympathy
is soon formed. One day Cecily men,
tions Dormer's name. At the sound
Rhoda starts Question and Inference
soon disclose the fact that Rhoda knew
Dormer; having once nursed him out
of an illness; that, in fact, it is his
money which supplies her with live
lihood. That which follows is the cul-
minating scene of the story:
Now" said Cecily, turning to Rhoda,
who stood before her with bent head and
downcast eyes, tell me what all this
means. What is Mir. Dormer to you."
II suppose it's no use trying 10 hide II
from you now" said Rhoda, slowly. You
have heard too much to rest satisfied with
out hearing more. But. remember, 1t all
happened long before Miles-Mr. Dormer
knew you. II Is an old story now"
What is an old story now?" aske d
Cecily, without noticing the allus'on to
her own relation with Miles.
well. that when he got better of his
Illness and was going back 10 London Mr..
Dormer asked me to ~ with him and-and
| went"
miles was your lovar?' murmured
Cecily in scarcely audible tones,
81 suppose he must nave been ford of
me in a way. You see III was still weak
and ailing. and he had got usel 10 me. ]
understood how 10 take care OF him and
make him comfortable"
"And you loved hin?"
II would have gvcr nv life for him If
1t would nave done him any good" replied
Rhoda simply. 81 did more :han that, I
sacrificed fan ~, mother, nome and good
name for him
"And Miles % put in Cecily impatently.
for she could attend to no other part of the
story. "You lived with Miles?"
"I1e took Il little house for me near Bed
ford Park went on Rhoda, land though
he kept on his chambers in town he spent
most of his spare time with me. In the
summer we went away somewhere into
the country. All. | know il was selfish
and wicked, but was very happy all the
same. People tell lies when they say you
can't be happy unless you're good. The
knowledge that you are sacrificing your
very soul to your lover makes your
love all the stronger, and your
happiness all the deeper And then you
don't know what 1t Is, ma am, for n girl
who has only associated with common
men to have a gentleman for a lover. All
a gentleman's little ways. his talk. his po-
lteness, the very tones of his voice have
more power over her than ever his money
could have" 90
but how-how long?" gasped Ceoily.
I've were together off and on, for near
" three years. OF course, / knew it
couldn't last. knew he would tire of me,
sooner or later, because i wasn't lady,
nor educated enough to be a companion
to him. But he was very good to me, from
first to last"
Ceclly made no reply. She was sitting
quite still, with a strange inward look in
her eyes.
.'You won't let what have told you set
you against him, Will your? pleaded
Rhoda. Hes not q bad man, you know,
not like some of them. He was kind to
me even after he was tired of me- when
many men would have turned me Into the
streets, and never cared what became of
me. You won't be hard on him, will you,
dear ma'am? because I'm sure you love
each other. and there's the child coming
and all. Say you will forgive him."
To Rhoda's CONSERVATION Cecly sud-
denly broke into u wild peal Of laughter.