The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-28

Surely, then" Bertha asked. in
peculiar tone Of voice, you did not let
the matter end there?"
II had no such intention. But fate
was against me. Her father was an
invalid; restless. unable TO settle down
anywhere. When I called at the ad-
dress he had given me IN London---it
was a lodging house In Suffolk street,
Pail Mall-I heard they had sailed for
New York. From that day to this 1
have heard nothing
But" Bertha suggested quietly,
you very much wanted to hear?"
AT first-yes. I thought life scarce
ly worth living" he said. II am
afraid | became an altered man.
could find an interest only in my work
rot always In that"
"At firstl" she faltered.
Gradually" he explained, 81 began
to settle down. Life was not the
same, but fell into the habit Of toll
Grating it. ] hoped that chance might
bring us togetl er egain."
"As you think 1t has done?'
Yes" he said, II feel confident the
writing is hers. The sight Of It seemed
to revive every memory of the past"
Then" Bertha suggested, "you--you
would like me to tell Alice Marsack
that you recognize the handwriting,
and wish to know whose II is?'
Yes" he said, "if you don't mind
the trouble"
Not at all. The trouble is nothing"
Naturally" he replied. "I feel in
terested to learn what has happened.
Major Andrews may be dead. 1t is inn
possible to tell what kind of fate is
hers. She may even be in distress.
What l can't understand" he replied,
'is that she should be in Manchester
without our meeting"
You see," said Bertha, trying to
laugh, 'you have to pay the penalty
of your eXclusiveness. Then 1 am to
tell Alice Marsack?"
"If you please" he answered. IF
you succeed in finding out where she
is, / shall be immensely indebted to
you.'
Bertha could not help thinking 1t was
a somewhat unthankful task he had
put upon her. For the first time in
her life she felt acutely jealous. She
began to cherish a dislike for Miss
Andrews, coupled with something like
resentment against Eustace.
He, on the other hand told himself
again and again how sweetly sympa-
thetic Bertha was. She has taken a
great deal of trouble on his behalf.
He had spent very agreeable hour at
the Hollies. thoroughly enjoying the
intimacy of their tete-a-tete. The tell
ing of his story had not been in the
remotest degree painful, either; and al
ready he began to look forward to the
tomorrow's visit.
That evening, after lighting his pipe
he became quite impatient for the
night to pass. And it seemed a very
long night! Most of it he lay awake
and toward the small hours sat up as
| though he had made an important dis
covery.
At 800 once more he entered Bertha
Larnelrs drawing room. He observed
/ at once that she looked unusually
cheerful, but his own face became
| gloomier i'll consequence.
Ibid you see Miss Marsack this
morning?" he asked, as she offered hei
| right hand.
| mo"
II am immensely pleased" he cried
"Why should you be pleased?" she
! demanded.
"I wonder whether you will despise
me very much if l tell you!"
"Well, shall make no reckless prom
| ises," she answered.
"The fact is, IL have changed my
mind" he said.
Changed your mind! Are you prone
to that kind of thing?"
'I don't think 1 am. No, I am sure
not. But every rule has it's exceptions
1 have changed my mind"
Wont you sit down." she said, "and
be little more explicit?"
He took a chair, smiling as she
watched him. He slowly followed hel
example, and then there was a shor
| silence.
81 have though the matter over" hC