The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-04


pleadings forcible, for 1 gave her little
time to make replies, presume that
I painted my lone condition in Ian
guage moving, and perhaps complain
ing, for detected q half sigh-lovers'
ears are sharply sensitive-and l saw
a faint flush suffuse her cheek, and l
begged her to be my wife-lovers' eyes
are quick al detecting such an evil
dence of emotion.
1--WE have known each other so short
a time" said she, falteringly. Are
you not premature in declaring your
passions so strongly? Can I so sudden
ly yield to words which 1 confess are
almost too persuasve?"
Miss Venner, 1 am a man whose
character has been formed by long ex-
perlence in the worlds affairs. True,
/ first saw you last night--flrst heard
of you then; but had 1 known you for
years instead of hours, my faith could
have no firmer foundation than now,
my conviction not more deeply rooted
| that you are necessary to my happi-
ness. l am almost a stranger now"
mot So" she replied, with deepen
| ing color; II knew you in Vienna"
But how could that be? l never
| visited Vienna"
"Are. you sure?'
quite so. I have never set foot
| upon foreign soil"
| 1--WE sometimes travel by proxy" she
said with an air so arch, a manner so
earnest, yet seemingly playful that I
| was lost for a time in speechless
| amazement
Listen" she continued, "I have a
short story to tell you" and she ad-
| justed her lamp shade so that her face
was partly in shadow. you may
have heard of my fathers failure in
| business, which necessitated my aunt's
return to America, while / remained
abroad"
Yes; / knew of it at the time it oc-
CURED. Our hostess last night gave
me further particulars, embracing
| your acceptance of the position of
teacher to the two Austrian prin-
| cesses."
But she did not, for she could not,
tell you ALL which l will now do, if
you will forgive my bushes"
I'VE are generally supposed to for
give that which we cannot see." That
confounded lamp shade-and 1 reached
out my hand to remove it.
mo, no." she quickly exclaimed.
Let it remain, if you would hear my
story"
Very naturally 1 consented. l had a
presentimert that a revealment would
be made in which my happiness was
| concerned
| After my aunt returned to America
we regularly corresponded, Her letters
| were somewhat mournful at first, but
| they encouraged me to pursue the
course / had chosen, although my faith
er's prospects were not SO gloomy as I
fancied they would be. Her communi-
| cations became livelier, more chatty
after Il time, and so they continued for
several years. Always interesting, her
letters became decidedly entertaining
after she commenced mentioning the
name of certain bank cashier whom
she said she fixed upon as"
"No. no; do not disturb the lamp
shade. | find j must teach you les
son in politeness which in your bache-
lor condition you have not quite mas
tered; always to respect ladys wishes
when she Degs you to spare her blush
es."
'Co on, go on" l said in an ecstacy
of dream.
You may he sure" she continued
that my curiosity was piqued by her
frequent and eulogistc mention of the
man of figures, stocks, bonds and what
nots. And it was not allayed when, in
one of her last letters, she sent me his
photograph, which she had obtained by
collusion with the artist"
Have you that picture yeti May
see it?"
NO eyes but mine have gazed upon
IT, since it was enclosed in my aunt's
letter. Then how can show it to you
who declared that, until last night, you
were stranger to me?"
i was tantaliZed; consumed with that
strange curiosity which a lover always
reveals in the presence of his mistress
"a lover who, elready convinced, still
demands a fuller conviction-a certain
ty which seems impossible of attain
ment. ! was chained-helpless. In my
dilemma ] turned TO the rose. Esther
for she gave me permission to use the
name-also came forward.
Look" / said; do YOU not see the
petals yet reveal what the fairy whis-
pered?"
only in part. she replied.
And that is
Listen! 1t is the commencemnr Of
an oracle.
" lie who wooes should never tire:
Constant fuel keeps the fire. "
What more?" / asked. as / raised
her hand and was about to kiss it,When
the door was opened and Mr. and Mrs.
Nenner entered the parlor. Perceiving
the state of affairs at once, Mrs. Ven
ner quietly retired. while her husband
came forward and pressed my hand
| warmly.
MY wife has told me ALL" he said.
Our Esther here but where is she now ?
Gone TO find that fairy, presume. Well
that is very properly a lady's chase
but we men have other things to do.
other matters to discuss. She is very
dear to us. We realize that she must
some day be married, but we cannot
bring ourselves to the point of sparing
her just yet. Let us keep her through
the coming summer, for we have re-
Gently regained her In a few weeks
we shall go, as we have planned, to a
mountain resort. Esther must go with
us. If when we return to our city home
in the autumn, you come to us and
claim her as bride, your desire shall
be satisfied"
What more could a father say? And
what more could lover expect. / did
not see Esther again that night.
new and quite agreeable surprise
awaited me at my room. A note slipped
under my door informed me that nv
neighbor in the adjoining room had de-
parted and sought more retired quar-
ter where his guitar would disturb no.
body. To make sure ] turned the key of
| N hon