The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-24

investigated theosophy, telepathy, spir-
itualism, hypnotism, and all manner Of
strange subjects. Now you don't care
for any of these things
Not bean"
Nor is it necessary that YOU should
Still, the existing state of affairs must
be changed, though I cannot at the
moment, see how the change Is to be
brought about. But it seems to me-
hittie. if you would quit acting a part
and let Paul know you as you really
arc--a bright, winsome matter-of-fact
little woman--that he would love you
Just as we'll, ana the memory of Leo
nora would assume it's normal propor-
tion, if it did not shrivcl up and dis
appear like Il morning mist. II Paul
did not speak of LeOnora so frequently
he would think of her less. AS for
Lconora being still alive--it's all moon
shine If the truth were known you
would find that Paul had celebrated her
obsequies in some strange and senti-
mental fashion of which he is shy of
speaking, and that is all there is of the
mystery"
Mystcrv!'" exclaimed the second
Mrs. Brattleboro. putting row of
pumpkin pies into the oven. and pounc-
Ing on Mary Anne's last word, ct de-
test mysteries and | shall never be
happy till I find out where Leonora
Brattleboro is buried" and closing the
oven door with a bang, she laughed
hystcrically till she began to cry, and
then to cry and laugh at the same time
Mary Anne. the whole affair re-
minds me Of Poe'S Raven l am sure
| have 'nondered till I'm weak and
weary Do you suppose if presented
Paul with a copy of Poe's poem and put
a bust Of Pallas on the mantel and
stuck a stuffed crow on top of lido
YOU suppose that Paul would take the
hint?"
'Kittie BrattleborO, you are too alb
surd."
I've got to be absurd or scream.
Mary Anne. You can take your choice"
The second Mrs. Brattleboro wiped
her eyes and gradually became calm.
Mary Anne. there's more to come.
haven't told you of Paul's mysterious
visit TO Boston and his queer conduct
about the Valise. It is the strangest
development of all. Yesterday morn
ing Paul received ii telegram. He did
not let me see it, He did not tell me
what it was about. He merely said he
must catch the next train for Boston,
and that hewOuld come back this morn
ing eary-hcforc you arrived. At nine
o'clock this morning he drove up in a
cab, got out and turned to get his
Nalisc. 1t was not in the cab. Mary
Anne, if ! live a thouand years / can
never forget Paul Brattlebor0's be-
haviOr when he discovered that the
N.a1i
the window and saw it all. For half a
minute he stood like man frozen.
Then, giving a hOarSe exclamation. he
jumped on the box and, snatching the
reins from the cabman, he drove back
to the station like madman."
Did he find it?'
Yes, he came back in a few minutes
with the Valise. but looking very pale" ."
Did he say where he had found it,
or anything about his fright? Most
men would
Not a word. He put the valsa care .
fully away, kissed me, changed his
clothes, and hurried down to the sta
ton to meet YOU"
Perhaps there was a large sum of
money in the valise."
I've thought of that, but it can't he
explained that way. Paul is never mys-
terious regarding money He tells me
al about his business. No, Mary Anne,
it isn't that but il may be some docu-
ment or other relating to the first Mrs.
Brattleboro. l know it, Mary Anne, |
feel it. Perhaps LeOnora has recovered
her mind and is coming back to Amer
lea" and the second Mrs, Brattleboro
wrunS her hands i'm terror.
Mary Anne looked at her and began
Ia wish herself back in Concord. \
iine prospect indeed, for "A Joyous
Thanksgiving! She must be firmer
with Kittie.
"Kittie BrattleLoro, don't be fool,
tell you, Leonora is dead and in her
grave"
"Ir she is, Mary Anne Pmnkett, I'm
going TO find ont where she is buried il
it parts Paul ana me forever!" and the
second Mrs. Brattlchoro's blue eyes
blazed so tiercely that they dried the
tears on her lashes,
How are you going To do it?"
I'm going into that Nalise. Paul was
so upset when he thought he had lost
it that he left the key in his travelling
suit"
How do you know"
We Detn through ms pockets. You
needn't look so shocked, Mary Anne.
It's a perfectly legitimate thing in we'd
lock, especially when husband returns
from Il journey When married Paul
BrattlebOro he endowed me with all his
worldly goods. There was no eXcep-
tion made Of pOckcts--Or Valises," and
without more ado kittio Rrattloboro
hurried from the Kitchen, leaving her
cousin aghast.
Don't touch that vnlisc, KIttic: you'll
regret il all your life. Irs-irs dis
honorable" CALCULATED the Hpinstcr in
a loud crescendo. l.lt Kitiic was half
way upstairs,
Mary Anne dropped into chnir She
had relieved her conscience by the pro-
test and now with n beating heart phc
awaited the result Of Kiliir'r search.
II was not long in coming. Ia less than
five minutes a scream rang from tho
floor above, followed 10y heavy fan.
Mary Anne Plunkett lcHpcd from her
seat and rushed uDstairH
MARY Annc-l'ye seen hor--Ivc seen
LeonOra!" gasped the second Mrs.
Brattleboro, reviying from her swoon
with her head upon her Cousins lap
Mary Ann sprang To her feet, letting
Kittie's head bump the floor.
"Merciful Heaven. Not in broad day
light" exclaimed Mary Anne looking