The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-21
Al NOTE OF .
INTERROGATION.


nest that framed the new beauty's love-
illness. the words II wish knew" were
breathed to the dawn. Slipped like
pale wreath from her snowy satins and
faces, Christabel stood, slender as
May lily, before the mirror. her white
hands clasped above her tumultuous
heart. as she sighed: II wish ! knew II
he loves me-" The next day the girl
Thought she had found the solution to
the riddle. 1t was the last function OF
the seasony-a ball at MalplaQuet house.
Leaning on Tregenna's arm, Christabel
drifted down the low steps that led
from the drawing-room into the cool
ness of the quiet garden. Lanterns
danced in the soft night air and the
swish of woman's gowns trailing over
grass, the COO OF distant voices came
to ears still ringing with the final crash
of The finished valse. Christabel sighed
as she nestled into cushioned chair.
Tired" lueried Lord Tregenna.
mo. sorry" and she sighed again.
You and sorrow should not meet so
soon." he said gravely. whats the
rrouble?"
I'VE are going away tomorrow" an
swered Christabel.
The girls naivete made him smile.
But there's plenty of fun ahead.
Are you not going to be the belle on
Sloshire's yacht at Cowes? Then you're
to have three weeks at Hamburg, sup
plemented by-how many-vlsits In
Scotland! Miss Mainwaring, you are
growing Unsuitable"
She gave little laugh Of depreca-
ton.
II dare say II will be pleasant enough.
shall miss you.
Tregenna leaned forward and strove
to pierce the mystery of her sweet
violet eyes. Lady Chris-and you
will miss mew His voice took fuller
T. tone. his eyes deeper light.
Indeed, we shall" she answered
slowly. you know. Lord Tregenna.
always think of you as my first friend
room when l came home that after
noon"
And you viii be sorry to lose your
first friend for. even a few weeks?"
She nodded the reply, her trembling
lips could not speak.
"Chris''-.he laid one strong. firm hand
upon the girls nervous fingers-"Ohris,
IL l never left you. If l We're always
with You in the future as your friend
your--you would be glad?"
Very glad!'
The words scarcely stirred the air,
but he caught them. They were enough.
~ AAN NSSN es"A ASu itSt OoNh "
house. -..f t..t
1t was late next morning, almost
midday. when Christabel came dancing
downstairs. her feet like feathers, her
eyes like stars.
Lord Tregenna has been here, miss"
said a servant. He asked for mtlady
or for you. but. not seeing either, left
note in the drawing His lord
ship will come back to luncheon
Singing valse tune, Christabel ran
into the drawing-room. How happy
she was! He had been to see her, to
speak with her mother. He would re-
turn presently and stand by her side,
never to leave her again.
Where was the note? She saw at
once the tiny corner of the envelope
sticking from her mothers blotter.
With fingers that grew cold with ex-
citement. she drew it forth. Chris"
was scrawled across it. She read the
! letter:
Before We part today. my darling
Chris. I must know my fate from your
own lips, l have longed to tell you Of
my love the whole season through, but
dared not. Dearest. will you give your
sweet life to me, and make me the hap
piest of men? Tregenna."
| With cheeks from which excessive
joy had chased the pink Christabel
few to her mothers dressing-room
Mother" she crkd, holding out the
precious letter. Read this. dear.
found 1t In the dNwing-room He's
| coming for an answer in an hour.
-hope-promise me-that you will say
| yes"
She had flung herself at her mothers
knees and laid her radiant face above
| her mothers heart.
Then suddenly her love and hope died
within her, and She was struck with the
! silence, of stone. The light that ga tn
| cred In Lady Christine's lovely eyes,
the tender little smile that curved the
corners Of her childish mouth, the faint
| blush that slowly famed over the
| fowerlike face force the bitter truth
home to the girls breaking heart, even
before her mother dropped the note
| into her lap and murmured:
| Dearest Chris. certainly promise
you'll will say Yes" have hoped for
some lime that Lord Tregenna would
be your father"
White and little dizzy, Christabel
! stumbled to her feet
| II hope you will make him very
happy" she said softly, then pressed
her clay cold lips upon her mothers
! brow and slipped from the room.
And the note was meant for me?"
said Lady Chris an hour later, nesting
| within the curve of her lovers arm.
| "Of course, dearest. Why, who else
could 1t have been intended for?"
81 thought sometimes wondered
Christabel Is such pretty girl"
Nonsense" She's a mere child still.
| Besides. didn't l say the very first time
] saw her that she wasn't bit like
you?"
| And you think me-?"