The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-05
, on her errand in order to be de-

come on her errand in order to be de-
rided.
Let us speak plainly" she said.
you've managed to entangle my
brother-in-law in this engagement. OF
course he knew nothing about you"
81 told him just the same thing" OBJ
served Celeste.
You must release him." said Marcia,
firmly.
"Of course" Celeste agreed. "If he
wants to go, I'll release him."
You can't escape that way. He's in
fatuated with you"
Dear boy." said Celeste, with pen
sive smile.
break it off
"Oh, I couldn't. Tn so fond of him"
Il imagine you'll soon console your
self. If you refuse l shall tell the whole
story"
What, all of it?"
Yes, the whole truth"
about yourself. too" Celeste smiled
amiably. And I'VE been so consider
ate in not betraying you to him!"
Il shall not spare myself; Fred's hap
piness comes first"
How amused all your friends will be
when they hear about it," remarked
Celeste. It's so funny to call your
brother-in-law your husband"
do you consent to send him away, or
will you face EXPOSURE"
IN face exposure, if you don't mind
it." said Celeste. And as she looked al
Marcia's angry face as she broke into
just such a merry peal of laughter as
her visitor had heard two years ago.
Then, before Marcia could speak or
move, she sprang up and ran out of the
room. turning a merry face over her
shoulder for an instant as she shut the
door. Marcia sank into a chair. She
had right and might both on her side;
the merits and the power alike were
hers: vet without doubt she had been
ridtculed, beaten and defied. After an
instant she sprang up crying:
Then | must tell Fred the truth,
that's all! Oh, let me out of this hOrrid
house, 1t suffocates me!'
She walked to the door, but just as
she was about to lay her hand on the
handle the door opened. There, on the
threshold, stood Noel Forester. Mar
cia sprang back, half in surprise, half
in resentment
How dare you?" she gasped out
Here again her forecast had fallen short
of reality.
Noel came in and shut the door
| gently
'Tm so much at homeSlere," said he,
suavely, that l thought 1 might take
| the liberty of adding my welcome to
| Celeste's. We're glad to see you here
in what is our real home"
Marcias only answer was to draw
| herself up to her full height and wave
| him from her path with naughty ges-
| ture
Il wish you'd hear what I've got to
| say" said he.
What can you possibly have to say?"
| She looked at him. He appeared meek
| and submissive. "Oh, / dare say She )
| worse than you are: but-well you see
| for yourself. My plain duty is to tell
my brother-inlaw. You know, of
| course, that he's mad enough to intend
marrying this-this Miss -" Marcia
paused. Miss what or Mrs. what?"
| her manner asked.
Miss Vincent? Oh, yes, know that.
| Well, why shouldn't he?" asked Noel
| Forester. Come, Mrs. Nettleton, let
| bygones be bygones. We must forgive
and forget. The past is irrevocable; the
| future is our own. Let's say no more
about it. and let the young people be
| happy"
Marcia regarded him with bewil-
| derment that conquered anger He
seemed so genuine, so sincere, ostensi-
| bly, SO reasonable in his monstrous re-
| quest and the monstrous frame of mind
| which made its utterance possible. The
| old sense of regret for him, of waste,
of conviction that he had been meant
for better things, came over her; she