The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-04

party. and counted her my friend. 7
accepted. therefore, and on Saturday
was waiting In good time at Charing
Cross. 1t was miserable foggy day.
and half feared they would not come.
But though their train was somewhat
delayed, they presently arrived, and we
took a cab along the Strand. Madge
looked unusually pretty, and greeted
me with a disappointing cheerfulness.
l had counted on little sympathy
from her, but her aspect was one OF
rather miSchievouS enjoyment. 1t
would have been timely enough if she
had held in store for me some very de-
lightful surprise. She even referred to
a matter which had hoped for a month
past had escaped her observation.
II did not think that you would de-
scend to theft" she said" II would have
given it to you. And of course YOU
have discovered your mistaken"
We were entering the theater as she
spoke: there was momentary press
of people, and l affected not to have
heard her speech. Indeed, was not
little angry; her clumsiness was OBJ
viously INTENTIONAL; for / was well
aware that she in no wise suffered from
want of tact.
A moment later we were being
shown to our seats.
"Will you take the inside seat?" said
Madge, and / moved Obediently to the
last vacant place-next to lady whose
face was turned from me. l was just
taking my seat when she turned and
looked at me. She had the grace to
blush-fOr it was Maud CamerOn--but
there was no tremor in her voice when
she spoke O. moment later.
How do you do?" she said. politely.
And i'm the same words l answered her.
For few moments Madge Lutrell
leant forward and talked to her Then
the orchestra began the overture. and
she leant back in her seat and was 81
lent. Maud and l We're in some sort
left together.
did my best to play the part that
fate required of me. / cudgeled my
brains for polite nOthings where with
to fill up the dreadful moments, but /
could think of nothing.
Presently she leant little nearer,
and spoke to me in her soft, pretty
voice. You have nothing to say?"
she said. You may talk, you know"
turned to her with look of desper-
alton. Why could she not leave me to
myself?
Il had forgotten" I said. II must
congratulate you-or Dick. at any
rate"
"O!" she answered, smilingly. "you
may congratulate me also, do not fear.
1t happened marvelOusly WELL"
7 bowed. ''Marvelously WE'LL"
echoed.
Yes" she continues: land particu-
larly in that you are his special friend.
1t is SO nice for the wife when the hus-
bands friend Is Lice. But why didn't
you tell him you knew the Luttrells--
and me?"
stared at her. incredulOus of her
cruelty. How could tell him." said
Indignantly. You had denied ac-
Quaintance with me. and since you had
forgotten do you think l wished to re-
member"
was trife startled at the effect of
this speech. 1t should have silenced
her, I thought; but it seemed as II i
had injured her, and now a greater
Indignation than my own arose in her.
1T is not true" she said. What do
YOU mean? l saw him only fortnight
ago, when ] returned from Sandybar.
and / distinctly remember telling him
that day I had met you there. Mother
did suggest that he might bring you
down one Saturday, but of course"
l interrupted. you only saw him a
month ago? Why. tits a full month
since he told me you We're engaged. And
yet you have known him only fort
night?'
She looked at me with sort of pitiful
amazement.
He told you he was engaged to me?
Why. he's engaged to Mary, my sister.
And besides, you might"
A new life entered into me: the old
| hopes lived again. Yet I was uncOn-
vinced. He showed me your photo
graph said.
She lOked at me a moment. Slowly
the bewilderment faded from her face,
and it appeared she was nightly
| amused.
Did he tell you my name?" she
asked.
He showed me your likeness. and
| told me you We're engaged to him.
don't remember if he told me your
| name. But there was no need; 1 do not
| forget so easily"
| Maud chuckled-there is no other
word. you had seen the photograph
| befOre?" she said.
| Il stole it out of Madge Luttrells' al
bum the day was to leave Sandybar. 1
thought
surely 1t was little curious to steal
the photograph of a lady you had never
met! For it is to Mary, my sister. that
Mr.. Ferguson is engaged. and it was
her photograph you took from Madge's
album. She is considered rather like
me-
| / was stunned with the sudden Joy
and with the sense of NV great st,Inid. .