The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-15

prcOccupatlOn Sne talked Tapluiy Oh
every available topic till the other SIS
| ter came in. Miss Knollys, as you
know, is a grave person, but very pleas
| ing and attractive. She won upon Miss
Grant at once, but for all that her pres
ence did not greatly relieve the situa-
tiou, for her first glance was directed
| toward her sister, who instantly bound
ed up and left the room, and not till
they were alone did she seem to notice
her guest, whom she then greeted
warmly, but with that same air OF alb
straction and constraint which had
been so painfully observable In Lu-
cetta.
Miss Grant had expected that she
would now be taken to her room, but
on the contrary Miss Knollys sat down,
and with an apologetical air informed
her Of how sorry she felt that she could
no. show her the precise attentions
she wished. Circumstances, she said,
over which they had no control had
made 1t impossible for them to offer
her the guest chamber, but If she would
be so good as to accept another for that
one night they would try and accommo-
date her more properly thereafter.
Miss Grant, who had noticed the pov-
erty evident in the house, broke In with
the generous assurance that any room
would be acceptable to her, and still
expecting to be taken up stairs, began
to gather up her wraps. But Miss
Knollys again surprised her by saying
that her room was not ready, that they
had not been able to complete all their
arrangements and prayed that she
would make herself at home where she
was till evening. More and more as
tonished and disconnected, but hiding
1t bravely, for the sake Of the pitiful
look in the girls eye, Miss Grant laid
down her furs again and endeavored
to make the best of the somewhat try
ing situation. She talked and she
laughed, though she met with but little
response, noting all that was odd in
her unaccountable reception, but CIV
ing no evidence of her concern or secret
Indignation. But let me tell the rest
in her own words as l remembered
them.
The peculiarities observable In my re-
ception continued all day. said Miss
Grant. When one sister came in, the
other went out, and when dinner time
arrived and I was ushered down the
bare and dismal hall into an equally
bare and unattractive dining room, 1t
was to find Lucetta only, seated at the
head of the board. She made some
apology for the fact, but it was so evil
IDENTIFY an evasive one that I scarcely
heard 1t and kept looking at the empty
place where the brother should sit,
wondering If he was at the bottom Of
my strange reception. But as If to dis
pei this supposition he presently came
in, and though 1t was my first meeting
with the nominal head Of the house,
Lucetta waited for a short nod from
him before giving me the necessary
introductions.
He is numbering fellow and had I
not been intent upon solving the mys-
terry of their actions I should have
taken little If any interest in him. AS
1t was I watched him for what he
might do or say, but learned nothing
save that he was excessively stupid.
The evening, like the afternoon, was
spent in the sitting room, with one of
the sisters. One event alone is worth
recording. I had become excessively
tired Of conversation that always
languished, no matter on what topic it
was started, and observing an old piano
in one corner. I sat down before 1t
and impulslvely struck few chords
from the yellow keys. Instantly Lu-
cetta-it was Lucetta who was with
me then-bounded to my side with a
look of horror on her face.
Don't do that" she cried, laying her
hand on mine to stop me. Then seeing
me recoil at her touch which was icy
cold. she added with an appealing
smile, II beg pardon, but every sound
goes through me tonight"
Are you not well?" 1 asked.
II am never very WELL" she returned;
and we went back to the sofa and' re-
newed our forced and pitiful conversa-
tion.
Promptly at 8 o'clock Miss Knollys
came in. She was very pale and cast
as usual sad and uneasy look at her
sister before she spoke to me. Imme-
diately Lucetta rose, and becoming
very pale herself, was hurrying toward
the door when her sister stopped her.
you have forgotten" she said, ito
say goodnight to our guest"
Instantly Lucetta turned and, with
sudden, uncomfortable impulse,
seized my hand and pressed it con-
vulsively.
Goodnight" she cried, II hope you
will sleep WE'LL" and was gone before l
could say word in response.
"Why does Lucetta go out of the
room when you come in?" l asked, de-
termined to know the reason for this
peculiar conduct. Have you any other
guests in the house?"
The reply came with unexpected We
hemence. mo-" She cried, why
should you think SO? There is no one
here but the family" And she turned
away with a certain dignity which cut
short all further remarks. you must
be very tired she said. "If you please
we will go now to your room"
rose at once, glad of the prospect
of being relieved from these forced at
tentions. She took my wraps on her
arm and we passed Immediately into
the hall. AS we did so l heard voices,