The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-23
PERCHANCE TO DREAM. !
BY ELLEN MACKBURN
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BY ELLEN MACKBURN

The Mrs. Noel whom her acduaint-
ances liked or dslilSedi according to
their inclination, was a handsome and
wealthy widow, endowed with a purse
literally open to most demands and
nanifesting the f2rvent interest for
many subjects that chardcterizes our
fin de steele. The Mrs. Noel who occa-
sionally confronted her own soul was a
deep and narrow nature, influenced by
two impassioned affections, and as in
different to outside sympathics as TO
shadows that pass. one Of these af-
foctions was devoted to the memory of
her husband, the other was a living
love for her only daughter.
Concerning this beloved child the
mothers heart ached forebodinSly
while she drove through the avenues
of the Champs Elysecs in her neat
brougham, or toiled through various
APARTMENTS of that fashionable quarter,
accompanied by her maid and n house
agent. Distracted by an anxiety with
which Ousc-huntinE perplrNities had
nothing to do, she broke down when,
having admired certain picturesque
rooms. sne was told that the accom-
modations for the suite" were three
stairways higher.
go, Rosine." sha said to her maid
MS she sank into an easy chair, you
surely know better than | what we re-
uuire. / shall rest here until you re-
turn"
Madame does not fear to remain
alone"
why should | fear?" Mrs. Mol de-
manded wcarily. I'VE have so con-
sCicntiously inspected every corner and
cupboard that even a ghost could not
have escaped our notice. If you are
nervous, however you may lock the
outer door" Rosinc murmurcd an ac-
quiescent "As madame pleases," the
agent uttered a voluable assurance of
securc solitude and they departed.
Mrs Noel leaned back i'm her chair
and shut her eyes.
She had often warned herself that
anxious days would begin when Laura
grew old enough to become interested
in lovers, but she had not anticipated
that those days would dawn thus swift
ly. Laura was only seventeen. A child
in spirit though visibly nearing the
lovely verge of womanhood. Mrs. Noe
had left her for a holiday visit at the
home of a school friend in Scotland
while she made an annual cure at Hon
burg. Now, six weeks later, Laura
letters were filled with one mans name
and her mistress wrote that Russian
Count Rufski, posS ssing a European
reputation for fascination, was pursu
ing Laura with such devotion as sht
believed no girl could resist.
That a woman should marry among
her COuntrymen was a law Cf life evolv
ed by Mrs Noel from her own brief
happy marriage. That Laura's hus
band should be of her mothers choOs
ing, Mrs. Noel discovered suddenly t
he the laws insoparablGs codicil. he
Laura mad manifested cheerfully re
solute will since ever she was ole
enough to feel a preference. What /
her will had already decided for tn,
stranger-a Russian. whose "Europcal
reputation fer fascination" could no
have been acquired with any numbe
of years approximately near to thos
of this child Of seventeen?
Mrs. Noel opened her eyes with
pang so keen that she thrust it aside
Surely no intrudng influence has thu
swiftly eriipsed her own. She wuul
not consider such disaster. She woul,
consider instead q G home they mean
to make for some years in Paris-here
ly to suit them she told herself Will
her eyes wandered restlessly aroun
the salon, which the agent had bril-
liantly Illuminated when he had shu
out the chill autumn twilight.
Immediately opposite her chair
wide doorway hung with satin portiere
framed a smaller yet more charmin
room, whose delicate blue tints sug
gestcd a dainty background for the oh
ject of Mrs. Noel's anXieties.
Just the cozy little don my darlin
will fancy"
Her thoughts broke off as sharply a
though they had been interrupte
words.
Before the chimney which faced tn
archway stood low couch, heape
with many satin pillows. A mOmen
since it had seemed the very nest 70
Laura-nOw?
Was she dazed or dreaming? Who's
slender, white-clad figure lay anon
those pillows? Whose fair head hal
turned away toward the chimney? No
Laura's, thank God! Color and outlin
We're like, but the pretty creature VIII
so mysteriously appeared there wa
not Laura, nor vision of Laura.
Whoever she was, how did she ge
there unobserved? An awe that wa
neither curiousity nor terror possesse
Mrs, Noel as she confronted the pic
ture before her. Whence had il come
Why did she behold it?
Between her and the object of he
spellbound gaze the figure of man /
evening dress advanced soundlessl
His back was toward Mrs. Noel as h
stepped softly to the side of the sleeT
Ing girl. He bent over her. His slende
jeweled hands lifted one Of the 'sati
pillows.
What was he about to do? Did h
mean some caressing arrangement {
those pillows for the comfort of tha
fair head?
The sleeper stirred. The bending maI
still holding the pillow glanced acros
his shoulder, thus turning his beautiful
evil face to the hOrror-stricken onlook
err, and in those cruel pale eyes h
purpose was written-murder!
A cry, shrill with terror interrupte
the fluent amenities of Rosine and III
house agent, as he fitted the key int
the outer door of the apartmen
Aghast they paused There was a rus