The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-23

dimly Mghted region of noofs and
corners. and sharp turns, and steps
which went up, and others which went
down. until she stopped opposite a
door which she opened, saying:
This is mothers room"
THE ghost comes along the pas
sage" whispered the girl, with a mock
air Of mystery. "entors the room, walks
up to the dressing table in the bow
window. stands for moment, and
walks back"
She looked at her companion as she
spoke, and noting that his keen dark
eyes were taking in every detail OF
the room, said:
"Yes; it's awfully untidy. see
| you're looking at It but we didn't
finish dinner until late, and there was
rather rush to get ready FOR the
| dance"
you know Mrs Enderby, think >
| I mean you have met her before this
evening"" said the girl when they were
| seated
The major bowed affirmation.
| who is she?"
"Wife of Fnderby Of the T. w. n.
He's on the frontier. met them at
| Dundum three or four years ago. why
do you ask"
Because she has been asking about
| you"
! "Well?"
And of course all could say was
that ] had never met you before this
| evening and that you were staying at
Colonel Oxenden's."
mo. She is the And Party from
Towers, at Crashford. That fat man
and the tlorid woman are her introduc-
| ers-Mr. and Mrs. Carnegie We don't
know much about them, but mother
always asks them to one of our dances.
Now, Major Clifford, don't answer this
question unless you choose, and don't
think me impertinent for asking Il.
Has she any particular reason to dis
like you'"
The major examined his shoes, and
did not reply for a moment Then he
said:
"She ought not to have--certainly
not. But why do you ask?"
well, there was something in the
tone of her inquiries about you not
in what she actually said, which made
me wonder" replied the girl.
What did she say3"
she asked who you were-who that
cavalry-lookng man was, she put it.
and how long you had lived in these
parts, and what you were doing now
that you had left the service"
Left the service? Who told her I
had left the service? Well, anyhow,
there's nothing very spiteful in all
that"
mo. But. as l said, women always
judge what other women mean, not
| from tho octi,o1 ,Voras tb,,. ,,,o l,,,,
from their way of saying them"
well, Miss Lomax, so far from hav-
ing a spite against me. Mrs. Enderby
fought to regard me as a very great
benefactor, although l say so who
should not"
"Why-did you save her life, or
what?"
"No-I-er-saved something which is
often more precious than life"
"Will you explain, Major Clifford %"
The major hesitated. as If balancing
in his mind the course he should pursue.
Then, with a sudden movement, he
changed his leaning forward posture
for an erect position, and facing full
his companion, said;
Miss LomaX, as Mrs Enderby has
given you the idea of being spiteful to
me, and she may possibly say sofethng
spiteful about me, | must take you into
my confidence. Now please understand
that only upon your assurance that
what l say shall go no further l will
tell you what l know about Mrs. En-
derby"
The girl gave the required assurance.
Mrs. Enderby was very well known
in India as woman who thoroughly
meant to enjoy life, and in India that
is associated with a good deal that in
England is considered fast She pre-
ferred the society Of men--of a certain
style of men-to that of women. and
was known as the Gay Grass Widow
everywhere. and entered heart and
soul into their pursuits. Well, there
was good deal of high play at the
station just then"
Card play, do you mean?"
The major nodded and continued
Men can't be blamed for seeking eX-
element when they are exiled away in
a bad climate, hundreds of miles from
life; nor can women. when they keel
within bounds, but Mrs. Enderby went
the pace. At any rate, she was always
at the baccarat table, and she won 50
consistently that / watched her. and
! don't think l need say any more"
I'm afraid I'm very stupid" said
the girl. What then?"
"Well-she didn't play quite as ladies
! and gentlemen are usually supposed tC
play"
You don't mean to say that she
, cheated?'
Il do. But, Miss LomaX. please re.
/, | member-she had her lesson. l spoke
to her quietly about It. She renounced
the cards. became another woman, and
is, / believe, an excellent wife and a
, devoted mother. There! I'm sorry tC
[ tell such a story about a guest in your
house, but in self-defense | must, for
l of course, she can never forgive me fol
having found her out. Let us change
? the topic"
After supper Hetty LOmaX came VI
. to Major Clifford and said:
Mrs. Enderby and her friends have
gone. Their excuse was that beinl
z such fearful night, they were afraiC
5 the roads would be blocked with snow
, If they stayed later"
. I'm afraid. then, that you think my
e presence here has something to do Vitl
. their departure?' said the major
We'll, | dare say she was uncom
4 Portable" replied Hetty.
The major and Miss LomaX We're no
$ together until the last dances on tn
I programme came. When they met 70
Y the final waltz, the major said:
y Strange that you should have spok
a en- about that ghost, for, as was TAX
ing Miss Lemarchant to a seat in tn
h | uppermost alcoVe during supper, ] say