The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-05
PARTY.

At half-past ten the next morning
Mrs. Nettleton alighted from a cab at
the door of 80 Tangent Terrace and
rang the bell with n determined air.
a maid-servant mot Susan, but n young
CRIB opened the door. With an acid
c.:1ile Marcia asked: "Is Mrs. Forester
at homer" and waited 10 see the effect
of her question.
A look Of some surprise or indecision
appeared on Tie maids face; she hesi-
fated.
II am Mrs. Nettleton--Mrs. Nettle-
ton" said Marcia, enjoying the maids
confusion. "Please tell your mistress
that I'm here. Say 1 come on business"
"Yes. ma'am. viii you step in and
wait for a moment?"
Marcia slept in and found herself in
a rret;ily furnished hall. The maid
then showed her into a small sitting
room on the ground floor, and left her
there. This room also was very pretty,
but Marcia recognized with grim sat-
isfaction an engraving which had deco
rated the walls Of that never forgotten
blue room. She had not long for
inspection; in few minutes the door
opened and the enemy appeared. Ce-
leste entered. locking very charming in
neat morning hoclI. Her face showed
no surprise; she was smiling in quite
her old fashion.
II think IL must be me whom you wish
10 see. Mrs.--er--Nettleton, said she.
spray sit down"
thank you. I'd rather stand" an
swered Marcia. stiffly.
"Just as you iilse." said Celeste, pleas
artly, as she seated herself in n low
chair and looked up at Marcia. "Well?"
she added. after a short pause. Then,
seeming to recollect. she went on: "Oh.
I suppose you've come about Mr.. Net
tleton?'
about my brother-in-law."
"Ycs; he is your brother-in-law, isn't
he? Really, / mean? You see, you
must tell me the truth. now, because
I'm going to marry him! can't think
why you said such a curious thing be-
fore" Celeste's eyes expressed inno-
cent but aggrieved wonder.
II Was RET 80 curious as what you
faid.' observed Marcia.
"Oh, but you knew that was only a
joke! Now, didn't you? i knew You
never believed that Mr.. Forester was
married to me-not really married, you
know. If he had been, of course i
couldn't have been going to marry
your brother-in-law, because Mr.. For
rcster's still alive. / see him quite
often. Indeed, he was here yester.
day"
Here yesterday" exclaimed Marcia.
She had told herself that she was pre-
pared for anything, but her anticips-
tions had not included this. q
/ Eyes. dare say he'll come today"
''To lunch?" asked Marcia. ironically.
"Oh, no. Your brotherSn-law's COM
Celeste. smiling. Then she laughed
q little. "The servant was quite puz
xlcd at your asking for Mrs. Forester.
She wondered il you meant Mrs. Vim
cent
''She didn't seem so very much sur
prised," said Marcia, grimly.
''Oh, she guessed who you meant, OF |
SONkScs bttduoc VI NIL
said Celeste. carelessly.
Marcia lost patience. She had not |
come on her errand in order to be de- |
rided.
Let us speak plainly" she said.
managed to entangle my broth
cr-in-law in this engagement. OF |
course he knew nothing about you"
II told him just the same thing" ob-
served Celeste.
"You must release him." said Marcia,
firmly.
"of course" Celeste agreed. IF he
wants to go, I'll release him."
..lou can't escape that Way. He's in
with you"
Dear boy." said Celeste, with pen
sive smile.
"Iou must send him away. You must
break it Off"
"0h, couldn't. I'm so fond of him!"
II imagine you'll soon console your
self. lfyou refuse / shall tell the whole
story"
What, oil of it?" 81
"Ies. the whole truth
about yourself. too?" Celeste
smiled anliably. And I've been SO con-