The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-04
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: THE STOLEN PHOTOGRAPH. ;
{ BY NATHANIEL DAWSON. :
copyrish. by tho Syndicate.
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BY NATHANIEL DAWSON.

whelming evidence which had crushed
my faith in her. For moment l was
content; he might account himseii
master of her love; might. II 1t pleased
him, believe that no man disputed with
him the kingdom of her heart. For
moment, despite all evidence, l believed
that she was still true to the unspoken
fact between us: that she could not
betray me.
There was a sudden sound Of foot
steps on the stair, hand upon the
door, and even as l thrust bacn ner
photograph into my pocket, the door
opened and Dick entered.
Hope you've not had long to wait,
he said. 81 had to be out for awhile"
Not long" / answered. And II
found plenty to occupy me. And now
l suppose, l must congratulate you?'
Dick laughed. I'd you only suppose!
am the luckiest beggar in the world.
But never mind; you will see her some
day, and then you will speak different-
ly. You will envy me-madly; for M
deed. But we'll wait until you have
met her; only / promise you you may
safely venture your CONGRATULATIONS
Here Is her photograph. by the bye:
wretchedly bad one. but still not all
unlike"
He moved to the mantel and handed
me her picture, inclOsed in that abom'
Unable frame of his. | took 1t from
him. and for a minute and more ga"ed
hard upon her face.
1T is all true" I kept whispering to
myself. "She has betrayed me-.
Dick watched me in silence, evidently
convinced of my admiratiOn; in reality
| was wondering whether 1t would be
better TO tell him that we had met.
Presently he broke silence. "Well"
he said holding out his hand for the
return of her photograph.
You are very lucky" I answered,
slowly "She is very beautiful
Aye he said. contentedly. but you
don't know how beautiful. That photo
graph is IA libel" He put it back upon
the mantleshelf, and selected pipe.
Then he stretched himself in an easy
chair.
sit down." he said. Il have not heard
word of you since you went for your
holiday in June. Have you nothing to
tell me? Still confirmed in your mis-
ognyny?"
You mistake" said. 81 am not a
hater of the sex. ! am merely not en-
gagged"
You will laugh" he answered. land
say judge you by the measure of my
own acts. But. upon my faith, l fam
be telling me in moment that you
also were in my predicament. l thought
you We're looking at something as /
entered-I thought you We're looking
at a photograph. / was deceived? You
have nothing to tell?"
He had fOretold that these conjec-
lures would amuse me. and according
ly l made shift to find laugh.
Nothing" | said. your own good
fortune makes you the well-wisher of
all. And yet-has it struck yOu?-the
fact that you have secured felicity does
but darken the general prospect. There
We're score who would have been most
happy with her love, and maybe ten
who already were dying for her. You
are most happy. the most miserab BILE. -
He laughed lightly. Yes" he said:
Il expect the other beggars are cut
up. But they'll console themselves
somehow, though there is none like
her. You two must know one another;
indeed. she is already eager for your
acquaintance"
l was 'steeled, I had thought, against
all that he could tell me, but upon this