The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-02

"I do hope the carriage will find Mr..
Nettleton," said Marcia.
Your husband, maam?"
Marcia hesitated for a moment then
she smiled at herself in the glass as
she answered:
"Yes, Mr.. Nettleton. My name is
Nettleton."
so l understood, ma am" answecod
Susan.
Prudence and msgivings have little
chance beside a consciousness of look
ing ones best, Marcia entered the din
ing room with a bright smile. Her
host shared her good spirits; he was
laughing to himself as she came in.
The soup was on the table. A man
servant entered and drew back
chair, inviting Marcia to seat herself.
The young man sat opposite and helped
tn" soup.
Susan wishes to know. sir" said
the man-serVant, "whether she shall
prepare the red room?'
The young man LOOKED up.
Yes, she'd better" said he.
you're too kind" said Marcia. "But
Isn't there an inn to which we could
go? We mustn't put you to all this
trouble"
The young man laughed.
Not within miles, said he. "Yes,
Joseph, Wen have the red room ready
in case it is wanted, you know
"I'll tell Susan, SIR said Joseph.
"Have you given the orders about the
carriage?"
yes, sir"
The young man turned to Marcia.
"Where do you think your husband
is?" he asked.
II don't know" she stammered
and truly enough, although there
was no reason to take other than a
hopeful view of the matter.
"Oh, but whereabOuts?" he smiled.
Marcia suddenly remembered the po-
sition, blushed very red, and cried
hastily, in the hope that her confusion
had passed unnoticed:
"Oh you mean Fredl He's-he's-"
She paused. Her host was regarding
her with inquisitive amusement. He's
where | left him." she added, with
great dignity.
That's more than a wife can al
ways say about her husband" re-
marked the young man. do you think
you can describe the place for us?"
Marcia obeyed; Joseph listened,
bowed ana lell the room.
The carriage shall go and look for
him as soon as possible" said the
young man again. "Oh, and perhaps !
might say that my name is Forester
Noel Forester. l hope you found
your room comfortable?"
Delightful, Mr.. Forester. Tt really
looked as if you expected some one"
Il am of a sanguine disposition" he
QnSWpra1
runs even my hopes sometimes"
He was charming, that was certain:
but it was equally certain that he was
not communicative. Marcia wished
she had not begun her silly joke about
Fred. She shrank from owning to il
now; 1t would sound so foolish.
supper went on: food, wine and SER
vice were excellent. BY the end of the
meal, when Joseph brought coffee and
finally withdrew, Marcia was in radi-
ant spirits. She had forgotten poor
Fred, still out in the rain; she had for
gotten the rather unconventional ma.
ture of her visit; she had forgotten
even the curious readiness eff every
thing in the blue room. Undoubtedly
Noel Forester was charming; and she
thought that she herself had been very
agreeable.
Marriage is a very pleasant condi.
ton" remarked Mr.. Forester, sud,
denly.
"Oh-er-yes, very" murmured Mar,
ca.
provided" he continued, "that per,
feet confidence reigns between husband
and wife. / have always insisted on
that-I mean / should always insist on
1t if the occasion arose. It's essential
"Of course it's nice" said Marcia.
II should require it from my wife, >
Mr.. Forester went on. I'm very easy
going, but I do like to be trusted
Don't you, Mrs. Nettleton? But I'm
sure your husband must trust you i'm
plicitly."
He never says he doesn't" mur
INJURED Marcia, hiding a smile.
Il happen to object very much to be