The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-11

town Indefinitely; to run back to Deer
court "a second time would be too alb
surd. He said as much in the wire he
sent again from the Swiss cottage.
He told the man TO drive him to his
club, where he ordered Il outlet and II
pint CT ciaret, ana made prctonse of
dining.
At length. on the principle of any
change being better than none, he got
up and walked home. .'
1t was half-past l2. He mounted
heavily to his rooms trying to persuade
himself that he was sleepy at last.
They We're in darkness, and he barlked
his shins against the furniture, cropping
for the matches.
Presently he found a box and lit the
lamp. a final smoke, and then he would
really WOO the elusive god. He drew
forward the tobacco and pipe and
stretched his long legs wearily on the
shabby couch.
After he had flung himself there and
the tobacco was finally aglow he per-
ceived that there We're some letters ly
ing on the mantlepiece. and he debated
mentally whcthc, it was worth while
rising to get them.
Ha, one was from Bella. bearing the
Morecombe postmark Doubtless he
would know definitely now when she
was bringing her visit to an end. He
tore 1t open, and, drawing a chair up to
the lamp, commenced to read.
What was this? How shockihgly she
always wrote.
Dear Arnold: Between us two a per-
feet frankness has subsisted from first 10
last, and feel certain that you are much
too fair, much too intelligent. to read what
] have to say with any resentment or 10
doubt that the avowal causes me the
Srca test Distress
C'This,' said Hopetoun, inwardly,
sounds like The Complete Letter
Writer But I wish she'd had it typed
Il can't make it out!')
"A duty is a duty, and I cannot shirk
mine! Arnold, ] have awakened to the
truth, for since | have been here ] have
met one who has shown me that / mis-
| took my own heart" c"Good Lord
! gasped her correspondenO-"Als my
own heart when | pledged myself to be
| your wife. Loving him as / do, | should
| be acting wrong TO YOU were ! to fulfil
| that misguided promise now. | cannot!
I cannot deal you worse misery than
| this which you have TO bear today-l can
not accept your marital devotion -
! c. Marital misspelt.' said Hopetoun) ''dc-
votion and give you so poor thing as that
| which remains in my power in exchange
| DO not ask 1t of me-" cI WON'T he said.J
| 81 beg you to release me from our engage
! ment, and TO believe that | shall always
/ cherish a deep, sisterly, affection for YOU
| DO not endeavor to see me, for my deter
mination is unaltcrable, and discussion
would be needless pain to us both. Write
me 10 the hampstead address. | am re-
| turning to town the day after tomorrow
| but pray, pray don't 80 there Indeed.
could not bear ii, and If you disregard this
| request ! must refuse to listen. That time
! may hea! your wound and Providence en-
| rich your career with its manifold bless
| ings is the earnest prayer of your very
! sincere friend,
BELLA Carstairs."
"Then." said Hopetoun, staring into
space, "she was at home when l called
today, and wouldn't see me! Great
powers! And / might have known all
! this yesterday mornins."
When Miss Drillinsham came down
to breakfast eight hours later at Deer
! court she paused on the threshold OF
/ the room with astonishment for a gen.
tleman was waiting for her there who
took her in his arms with q boldness
! that could only mean victory.
Bella signs herself "Carstairs" still
/ and looks at Mrs. Hopetoun. If she hap
pens to see her, with something suspi-
ciously akin to envy. But Arnold looks
at his wife with eyes of love and says
| that no man who has dared to play will
| fire was ever known to burn himself sc
pleasantly before. From which it may
be argued that they are happy pair.
Crhe End)