The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-07
AN UNCOMMON DEED.

They were standing before a perfum-
cry shop in Broad street as 1 passed
them, two young ladies of manifestly
good society, so refined was their APP
pearance and so perfectly correct their
tenue. 1 could not help turning half
around, and who should they be but the
arch-tease of a cousin of mine, Sybil
Vane, and her bosom friend, Gwen
OHara. 1t was Sybil that had spoken
and she had said
Fancy that little fool throwing her.
self away on a man like that when
she knows he only wants her for her
money!"
What little fool of a MANI" [ ask
ed, as raised my hat by way of an
apology for the intrusion.
"Oh, you men. You never know any
thing" said Sybil when she had re-
covered from the shock my question
had evidently occasioned.
"rhen tell me-" l reioined. "You
never have any secrets from me you
know-at least not for long
why, Honor Beaumont and Captain
Faulkner, to be sure"
Are they engaged to be married."
"Of course they are, and he hasn't
a
well, he is a very handsome fellow,
and she is--passable,"
"They say that he cheated at cards,
that he's in everybody's debt, and that
he is nothing short - mere adven-
turer. And yet Ho Beaumont has
accepted him. l say it's really to bad
of her"
| had known Faulkner for some
years, and | am bound to say l had
very little to urge in his defense. He
had never been actually caught in any
nefarious proceeding, but it was known
that he had run through most of his
| friends, that he was wonderfully lucky
| at faro, and that he was anxiously
| looking for an heiress.
The wedding day took place and
about four months afterwards Mr.. and
| Mrs. Faulkner were back in town.
| apparently the happiest people to be
| found at Belgravia.
| AS for Faulkner, he seemed COM
| pletely changed. There was manli-
ness about him that one never no.
| tiCed before; his eyes wore a frank
| expression that was truly refreshing
to see. He was clearly devoted to his
wife, and they seemed to perfectly
understand and trust each other
What could it mean?
Gradually I got to really like Faul-
kiner He made splendid host, was
! pattern of the domestic virtues and
| impressed one as being the soul of hon
or. Our acquaintance finally ripened
into a close friendship. and the intim-
acy developed until at length I found
| myself-how | know notion terms of
real confidence with the man whom,
only a few months before, I had been
inclined TO look upon very much in the
light in which he was regarded by my
cousin Sybil
One evening he eXpounded the mys-
terry.
Shall I tell you the story of nay
courtship, Jack?" he asked.
"As YOU will my dear fellow" I re-
piled, 'if it isn't too sacred a subject
for third party"
That's just tit is a sacred sub
ject, as you will see"
He lit a cigar and proceeded:
"All that the world thought and said
OF me before | was married was true,
and more than true. l was a regular
bad lot And it is true also that in
proposing to Miss Beaumont was ac-
| tuated by the most mercenary motives,
and those alone.
'All that l wanted was her money
her money. Jack, do you hear? The
world said so, and the world was per-
fectly right My chief anxiety was ia
prevent her getting any inking of the
truth, and so ] never ceased to dance
constant attendance on her, and espec-
tally TO withdraw her as far as pos
sible from her lady friends All went
well until one evening at the Villiers
ball she took me on one side, saying:
'Fritz'-she always called me Fritz
rather than Frank-I want to speak
to YOU
What is it, darling?'
You are not to call me darling any
more till this matter is cleared up
What matter. dear?'
" Just this. People are saying that
you are marrying me merely for my
money; is that SOP
"'Of course, not; l love you for your.
self
Stop, stop! I am going to put yor
to the proof. You know my solicitor!
-Messrs. Hopkins & Dicey, in Lncoln's
Inn?
Yes
"'Well, meet me there tomorrow al
noon sharp; and now, good night
In moment she was gone. / passed
a sleepless night, and with great diff.
|, Guilty nerved myself in the morning tC
keep the mysterious appointment.
"Old Dicey-I call him that becaus.
he Is now one of my dearest friends
received me coldIy.
:" L have been favored, Captain Faul.
kiner,' he said. with some very extra
ordinary instructions from my client
your fiancee-Miss Beaumont. I mus
entirely disclaim all responsibility il
the matter. / have simply given effec
to Miss Beaumonts wishes, and th
final issue of them must rest entirel,
with yourself. If you please, we will
go to the adjoining room, where Mis-.
Beaumont awaits us
I'VE found her seated near q window
She did not rise but simply bowed, ant
| saw that her face was pale, and that
it wore an expression of apparent en-
forced calm.
Fritz, l told you last night tha
people are saying you are marrying m,
merely for my money. 1t matters littl,
to me now whether they speak TIL
truth or not. If they do, then, whether
or not you become my husband, is tn,
light gone out of my life indeed. Yol
know, Fritz, how / love you! If yol
, have done this cruel thing nothing car
undo it now. If you have designed t,
beggar me, under the preteXt of affec
tion, fortune or no fortune, husband OF
no husband, can make no difference t,
me. But it shall never be said tina
you actually did marry me for m.