The morning times., 1897-03-04


1t, said Celeste. And she looked at
Murcia's angry face as she broke into
just such a luerry 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, turn
ing q merry face over her shoulder for
an instant as she shut the door. Marcia
sank into chair. She had right and
might both on her side; the merits and
the power alike Were hers; yet without
doubt she had been ridiculed. beaten and
defied. After instant she sprang up
crying:
Then l must tell Fred the truth,
that's all, Oh, let me out of this horiid
house, 1t suffOcates mei''
She walked TO the door, but lust as
she was about TO lay her hand on the
handle the door opened There, on the
threshold, stood Noel Forester Marcia
sprang back, half in surprise, half in
resentment.
How dare your she gasped out. Here
again her forecast had fallen short OF
reality.
Noel came in and shut the door gently
I'm so much at home here" said ne,
suavely, that l thought / might take
btit ilfBtibJ VI lug HtitpIlIe W
Celeste's. Were so glad to see you here
in what is our real home"
Marcia's only answer was to draw her
self up TO her iull height and wave him
from her path with a naughty gesture
II wish you'd hear what I've got to
say" said he.
what can YOU possibly have 10 say?"
She looked at him. He appeared meek
"a
worse than you are; but-well, you see
for yourself. My plain duty is TO tell
my bro,hcr -in-law. You know, OF
course, that he's mad enough TO intend
marrying this-this Miss Marcia
paTsef Miss what or Mrs what?'' her
manner asked
Miss Vincent? Oh, yes, ! know that
Well, why sh ouldn't he?' asked Noel
Forester. Come, Mrs. Nettleton let
byPones be bygones. We must forgive
ana forget. The past is nrevocable; the
future is our own. Let's say no more
atont it, and let the young people be
happy!''
Marcia regarded him with a bewilder-
ment that conquered anger. lie seemed
so genuine SO sincere, oStensibly so rea-
sonable in his monstrous request and the
monstrous frame of mind which made it's
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 shook her head decisively
but her air was more gentle
I'm afraid the kindest thing l can
think of you is that you're rather mad"
she said. But I'm sane, Mr. Forester,
and I must do my duty-rny duty to my
brotheT-in-law."
He appeared TO abandon the contest with
Some readiness.
''if you must, you must" he said But
l venture to hope that you'll judge me
mercifully. After all, we all of us prac-
tise little deceptions at times By the
way, you'll mention TO Mr.. Nettleton-''
II shall tell Fred everything And you
can tell him yourself if you like
Thank you 1t may be convenient that
l should" He paused and nodded re-
flectively. Then he made almost the same
comment as had proceeded from Celeste.
How very amused he'll be- ne said
Amused! His heart will be broken But
that's better than his life being reuined"
Much. IL doesn't last half SO long" OBJ
served Noel Forester. For my part l
think he'll forgive both you and Celeste
when he hears everything, / Inean.''
Il must ask you not to couple US to-
gether, please. The two things are not
exactly on the same foQting.'
why, both of you played a part that
wasn't your own"
LAS If it was that" cried Marcia, in
dignantly.
And you neither of you succeeded in
deceiving anybody. Celeste didn't impose
on you and you didn't impose on Celeste,
because, I'd told her, you know. Besides,
you didn't do it very well; you showed
embarrassment"
How did you know?" she asked.
well, you see you carried on your bicycle
a little leather case; the lid was Open
and perceived that your card was tackled
on it inside. And your card ran: Mrs
sydney James Nettleton.' So l thought it
odd that your husband should be named
Fred
You ought to have told me and not
let me make "a"
False impression? Well, you didn't
really, you know, any more than Celeste
You both tried and both failed Poor
Celeste, she couldn't act up to the part,"
please don't mention her again to me-
Marcia rose I'm going now to find my
brotherfn rfn-law," she said
II wish | could think that you forgive
me- observed Noel, very humbIA
"a S far as am concerned, / should very
readily forgive you said Marcia, enjoy
ing fine sense of magnanimity ''You
mustn't think that I'm acting from per
sonal feelings. It's long ago, and. greatly
as I suffered, I should net allow my own
feelings to influence me in the matter"
She was now at the door, and Noel was
operting it for her. Its my brother-in-
law" she ended as she stepped into the
ball
'Is it really only your brother-in-law?
he asked. 'You bear no grudge on your
own account?"
II have forgiven and I viii try TO for
get, your treatment OF myself 1t Is Fred,
and Fred only.
Honestly and sincerely?" he asked,
following her into the hall
Sincerely and honestly" she declared.
And she thought that her words were true.
"Win you give me your hand on it?''
After q moments hesitation Marcia put
out her hand. Noel Forester grasped it
heartily
'.That's all rightl' said he in a cheerful
tone And without more he escorted
Marcia to her cab.
'Dear me- said she, as she drove away,
che takes 1t very lightly" And she shook
her head with sorrowful soIemnty. But
suddenly, in spite Of herself, she smiled
stHe see ms to think more of my forgiveness
than Of anything else,'' she murmured
s'What nonsense, to be sure! But dare