The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-08-04

The young man is blessed with a
lovely sister and she is engaged to a
rising attorney of great promise. say
Kit" began the brother after dinner
the other evening, lets ride out to the
park. 1 have something to tell you
and you won't care to have every one
hear it. Fred's in it,
That was enough, for Fred was the
limb of the law referred to. On the
way out the brother would tell moth
ing, because, he explained, he might
as well proclaim his secret from the
housetop as in an open car. Into the
woods at Palmer park, and where they
had to fight mosquitoes with both
hands as we'll as both feet, he took her
and then unbosomed himself.
you're sure about Fred?" he in
quired, with the perfect imitation Of
a worried Countenance.
Perfectly sure. Don't be absurd
Have you brought me out here to be
eaten up just to put a foolish conun-
drum like that?"
mo, that is simply Introductory. But
perhaps I had better let it go for the
whole thing"
Don't be mean, now. If there's any
thing to tell, tell it and don't leave me
to imagine a lot of horrible impossible
tiles"
well, don't blame me, then. | went
to see Fred. in his office yesterday. He
was pegging away on some kind of 4
case and we talked while he worked.
Finally he warmed up to such an eX-
tent that he threw off his coat, and in
doing so dropped a photograph on the
floor. | would have thought nothing
of that, but he was so quick to grab it,
blushed so deeply and muttered so in
cOherently that | knew he was greatly
agitated and was ashamed that | had
seen what l did"
"Pshaw! What is there i'm all that
to drag me seven or eight miles into
the country to tell me about?" Then,
after a strained silence: Did you see
the picture?'
"Oh. if it's such a trivial matter Wen
not discuss it any more. This is about
as pleasant as chatting in a bee hive.
Come on"
I'm not come a step till you tell me
whether you saw that picture"
We'll, ! did. 1t was the face of a
stunning girl just as pertty and be-
witching a representative of her sex as
| ever saw. Now you better get the
rest from him. I'm not going to be in
former and scapegoat, too"
Not a dozen sentences We're inter
changed on the way in The girls
voice was metallic and her eyes
snapped The brother spoke low and
looked sad. The next day the mother
seemed suppressed and the old gentle
| man appeared like one who yearned tO
sharpen the toe of his boot. In the
evening Fred. called, wondering why
she did not meet him on the Veranda
with extended hands and with welcom
ing smile. He seemed I'm the atmos-
phcre of an ice house as he went un-
attended TO the paTlOr "Howdy, Kit,
he began in his usual way, but her
statuesque attitude and hard features
paralyZed him.
Good evening, Mr-,"
Miss Blank, if you please, and
kindly make your call as conventional
as YOU can. lie eXplain?" she echoed
II have not asked for an explanation
and if you want one it must be OF
your own making"
"But what am l to explain XII
Miss Blank? You make it very harC
for me-"
Il should judge from your unccr'
tainty that there must be severa
things demanding explanation, but
have special reference to that picture
Of handsome young lady that you
| carry about with you"
"Oh that rascally brother of yours
I'd like to shake him till his hair Eel
out"
"Itve no doubt. But he's my broth
| er and you'd scarcely expect him 4
! keep your secrets affecting me-"