The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-06

they We're. Marcia was reading over
the paragraph in the Morning Post,
and trying to understand the insane
audacity which inspired it. He could
fancy her expression at every line and
the elimination of scOrn with Which
she would read the last few words. For
there could be very little doubt that
Marcia Nettleton was peruSing the
following paragraph: "A marriage has
been arranged between Mr.. Frederick
Nettleton, second son of the late Lieu
tenant Colonel r. NettletOn Gold
stream Guards, and Miss Celestine
Vincent, daughter of the late Mr.. Will
lam Vincent, of Brighton, and grand
daughter of Mr. Noel Forester, of Mere
Park, Shropshire"
The murmur ended. His grand
daughter" came again in scornful ac-
cents. There was a swift movement
across the room; the door was thrown
open wide. But then Marcia fell back
in amazement Noel Forester stood
before her, smiling happily.
You! How did you come here"' she
gasped.
He stepped in, and paying no aten-
tion to her question, observed:
1T may sound odd, you know, but it's
quite true"
Marcia held up the paper and point
ed a scornful finger at the paragraph
The occasion was an admirable one for
irony. and she was minded to employ
it to the full.
Granddaughter! You might have
| found something a little more plaus-
| ible' she remarked, with toss of her
| head.
DO you think I might?' he asked in
a doubtful, rather regretful tone.
Il suppose you're about thirty-five,
aren't yOu?"
Don't be too hard on me. Thirty
two Mrs. Nettleton. Not a day more,
on your honor"
| And she's"
"Celestes Just twenty-one, Mrs. Net
tleton-brthday in September"
Marcia surveyed him with scornful
eyes
why not be reasonable? Make her
your niece" she suggested bitterly.
"Niece?" Ee seemed to turn the
question over in an open mind.
That would be impossible, anyhow
Somebody might believe that-peOple
who didn't know as much about it as
do
either. That makes it difficult"
"Oh, you could invent one. That
would be nothing to you"
Noel Forester assumed candid and
appealing smile.
| I'm do anything to please you, Mrs
Nettleton," said he. She shall be q
niece, If you wish it. l agree that 8
granddaughter lacks probability. But
excuse me, would it suit you as well il
| made her my sister? For family rea'
sons it would be more convenient to me
to have her a sister"
"Oh, if you like" said Marcia. "But
there's a little difficulty about tbs
names, isn't there?" She looked a.
him in malicious triumph. He had for
gotten the names!
about the names? l don't quite un
derstand," he murmured, apologetical
ly.
Brothers and sisters genrally hav,
the same surnames. You don't mean
half-sister?"
"Oh, no; my own sister please. No
body ever heard of my having a half
sister"
Really, you're a little dense. Yol
see her name is Vincent and yours
Forester"
A sudden light seemed to break in ol
Noel Forester. He advanced a. ste
nearer TO Marcia, then after a littl
pause he asked:
You're quite sure about the persona
grudge? You remember what you sal,
about ito"
Il really have nothing but pity 70
you. But as for her-'
That's all right: never mind hel
: Well, you see-do look a little more gen
tie, Mrs. Nettleton, or l can't go on,
can't indeed"