The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-01
PART I.

Mrs. Nettleton. being of cheerful
disposition, limited her case against
life to mild complaint that 1t was not
as amusing as 1t might be; 1t was not a
tragedy to her, but comedy; only the
comedy was apt to flag. Even this muir
mur she uttered shamefacedly, since
she was aware that she herself had
rather handicapped life by marrying
Mr.. Nettleton. Yet. though Mr. Net
Teton had been dead now three years,
life had not improved much. 1t was
still little dull, and she, of course,
still very sorry for her husband, al
though slightly resentful that every
body should consider her grief as no
more than proper. Since she was young,
pretty and merry, she felt sometimes
that her grief was creditable, and not
merely proper. There was something
annoying in the way in which her rea-
tives, both by blood and affinity, ac-
quiesced in a lifelong mourning for her
while they were doing their best to
enjoy themselves very handsomely.
True, they were not widows but even
in India (Mrs. Nettleton UNDERSTOOD
suttee was abolished.
Her brother-in-l law Fred was an ex-
such gaety as fell to her lot, and for
her occasional escapes from an atmo-
sphere too reminiscent of Mr.. Nettle-
ton. Fred had been very fond of his
brother, but took leave to think that
the excellent man, who had striven to
promote his wife's pleasure while he
lived, would not grudge her a little
recreation after his death. He did not
acquire, or indeed should be INDUCED
in, posthumous habit of reproachful
selfshness. At this time he had ex-
pressed his opinion so forcibly as to ex-
tort from his mother, with whom Mar
cia and he had been staying in the
country, the concession that there was
nothing very shocking in a two or
three days bicycle excursion: he and
Marcia would look after one another
very well; the country was distant and
retired; two days out and two days
pack would be a charming trip for
Marcia. Mrs. Nettleton senior Weld
ed with some doubts and reluctance.
me pair set forth in high spirits, hav-
ing arranged means whereby their lug
gage should meet them at their nightly
stopping places. Their only fear was
NSe'5C siiouIl ldlI tneTl, tnat
they themselves should be defaulters
haa not come into their heads.
ouch an occurrence had however.
suggested itself to Fate. On the even.
ing OF the second day, about o'clock
"hen rain was falling heavily. the
roads turning to boys, and thew sti1l
as they believed. ten or twelve miles
IRON their destination, a complication
OF mlsfortunes overlook Fred's bicycle
suddenly it appeared to do and suffer
everything which bicycles should not.
Inc result was that Fred was thrown
into ditch, and the machine itself
settled down on the road in a pathetic
and obvious helplessness. Marcia,
having surveyed it for a minute, felt
inclined to cry; she was so wet.
You must take mine" she said with
a shiVer. Ride on to the inn and send
carriage for me. It'll only take about
about two hours" She endeayored by
her tone to impart an unreal shortness
to this space of time.
You'd catch your DEATH" said Fred
In a contemptuous affection. "You
must ride on, and I'll follow with the
beastly thing. The trapll meet me,
The roads quite straight you can't
miss it. What? Look odd you ar
irving alone? All right-if you'd rather
stay here all night
Mrs. Nettleton decided to risk the
impression which she might create by
arriving unattended, listened carefully