The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-20

ferred the companionship of her pro-
vincial friends to the society she met
when with her father in London. Her
interest in local concerns became more
pronounced: she was fervent in OrthO-
doXy. and, as years went on, accepted
with decision her place as leading lady
i'm social. or charitable organizations.
Personally, Miss Cloud no longer over
awed him, for he felt that he under
stood her. Her behavior TO him was
of such frank friendliness that no
wonder their acquaintances observed
them with q genial smile. Marfieet
sometimes came away from the house
broOding. But for his incredible folly.
which had brought him within sight
of disaster he saw no means of repair
ing. might he not reasonably have
aspred to a marriage which would at
once exalt his position and promote his
happiness? What possibility of 1t now?
The secret. of which no one had sus-
picion. weighed but the more heavily
upon his own mind.
In converse tiOn one day with Miss
Cloud. he CHANGED to speak of some
political incident In the reign of Queen
Anne. q point which 1t seemed to him
the historians had misunderstood
Have you reached that in your
hook" asked Eveline. with a glance of
interest.
His eyes dropped: he was uncom-
fortably aware of that lurking smile
about the fresh-colored lips.
In the first rough draft" he con-
strained himself to answer And Eve
lines eyes reassured him. So friendly
We're they, so devoid of troublesome
curiosity.
"a Nj NTa,.
fleet. of publishing some portions of
your work in periodicals-as some
writer's do?'
Yes. he had thought of 1t. and very
lately. To be sure no portion of his
work wts written. but might Ii not be
possible I, , shape out of his notes a few
interesting chapters. which the re-
views would print and pay for? Miss
Clouds happy suggestion had strong
effect upon him; ii revived his ener-
gies, and for the next few weeks he
actually engaged in literary compost
tion. He wrote paper of some length,
and dispatched it to the editor of an
important monthly. What was more.
so sanguine had be become in conse-
qGence of this effort. that he revealed
the matter 10 Miss Cloud
Il am delighted.' was her exclama-
tion--and she really looked it, when
do you think ii will appear?"
Oh. he faltered. impossible to say.
Perhaps-.it might not strike the editor
as worth much"
what. the result of years and years
of study. That's impossible" And
Evelne added: Il have noticed. Mr..
Marfleet. that you seem rather despon-
dent of late
They were alone on one of the garden
terraces. and Eveline's voice had an in =
tonation of peculiar gentleness. A more
ardent adnirer or less scruptllous man
would have used the opportunity: Mar
fleet merely grew confused
ITS nothing. ! wasn't aware of
its
I'm afraid you work too hard,
sounded in the soft, kindly accents,
'Oh. dear. no." He laughed. II
feel perfectly well-perfectly.
And, indeed. there was little amiss in
his appearance. He had "a pleasant
color. clear eye. the excellent teeth
of healthy man who did not smoke
For years he had gone to bed at eleven
o'cl""k and risen only at nine: he had
never fallen short in exercise, ate
heartily. and found plenty of amuse-
ment. 1t would take long time be.
fore mental distress such as he was
now suffering wrote itself upon his
countenance. No one thought il unnat
ural for Miss Cloud to TAX. AN in,eres,
in Mr. Martleet: decidedly he was a
personable man. well set up, well feat
tlred. and always carefully dressed
Eveline.- for her part could not De
called handsome: but for her position
| suitors would hardly have singled hei
from group of amia BILE e-looking young
women. Yet the good blood in heI
veins, the kindly. intelligent light Of
her eyes. and that lurking smile
wrought durable bonds for the heart
of any man once thoroughly subdued
to their charm.
Not long after this conversation Miss
Cloud went with her father to town
where she remained for more than
three months For nearly the same
period Percy Marfleet lited in uncer.
tainty as to the fate of his historical
essay. and the time paNsed drearil,
enough. When Eveline's return drew
near he resolved to make Inquiry of the
silent editor. and ~ speedy reply put
an END to his suspense. The editor re-
GREETED that he could not make use OF
MIR. Markets. interesting paper. which
he now sent back. 1t was blow tc
Martieet. and after asfew days spent In
recovering from the dizziness, the poor
fellow took a dark resolve.
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