The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-19


twice every year since childhood, for
Mary Maskelyne lived with her grand
mother and aunt at st. Bridgets, and
Edward Maskelyne generally spent his
holidays and vacations there. AS time
went on, they. with the full consent
Of their own hearts, became engaged
10 each other, after which these holi-
days were happier than ever; but when
they had been engaged for two years
and half something happened.
1t was not that they quarrelled, it
was not that he or she had fallen In
love with someone else and had 10
confess the fact, but Edward Mas
kelyne had recognized that 80 much
work of all kinds lay before him that
he could have no time 10 be in love with
his cousin or anyone else for many
year to come. She was in the garden
reading when he went to tell her this.
She saw him coming, never in her life
had she associated the sight of him
with anything but increased happiness,
so she put down her book and smiled
in anticipation of the Joy he was bring
ing with him
II have come to speak to you rather
seriously to you, dear" he said. He did
not sit down by her, and his voice was
not the voice that she was accustomed
10.
Nevertheless he was here, and she
loved and trusted him, so she only
said: oh, Edward, how an inter-
view which began in that manner used
20 terrify us when we were children!"
IT'S really something serious" he
said: "I'Ve been trying to say it for
three days"
Ever since you came, then! Sit
down and say it now," she said, NOV
ing a little way to make still more
room for him.
lie did not take the seat she offered
him, but stood by her, looking for once
rather awkward. What he had to say
made him nervous, but he was perfect
ly calm while he told her that he was
very much afraid. that, in justice ia
her. their engagement ought to come
10 an end, as he did not believe he
could possibly be in a position to
marry 'for many long year to come
The phrase had presented itself to his
mind when thinking ii all over by him.
self, and he could find no other to use
now that he was in her presence.
But ] will wait for as many of thes,
years as you like. dear" she said
The thought that l was compelln!
you to do so would he misery to me
You see, Mary. l am by no means sur,
that ] shall ever be able to make m,
way"
You would like to be quite free, yol
mean" she said quietly.
Like it! | should not like it at all
How could I? But l really do believ
that it would be better for both of us.
You shall be quite free. We will b.
engaged no longer. Your future mus
be thought of -
And yours, DEAR"
"Oh, never mind mine. have worl
to do My future need not be though
Of"
Mary"
She could not stand this, and rose II
haste to go in; but she forced hersel
To sit down again. and said rather in
consequently. "We shall, of course. no
see much of each other after this"
1T will be better if we do not, bu
we can write occasionally"
The word occasionally cut her T.
he heart. She said, almost bitterly
"Oh. no! We must not write"
Not wTite?"
Yes, not write! You see," she said
with sickly smile intended to com
fort him. eve should have to max
such a complete alteration in our style
No, | shall not write to you, Edward
but that won't mean that we are no
friends. We shall always he friends
Of course, and take an interest in eacl
other; so tell me a little about wha
YOU are now going TO do and To wurl
for that | may know what | ought t.
take an interest in
"Oh, nothing new. | shall Just go ol
dcvilling for Mr.. Priestley--that's wha
I'm doing now, but you know that al
ready. He is not very generous witt
his briefs. But | dare say shall hav
more from him i'm time"
And then?" asked Mary. very calml
TO all appearance. but in her hear
there was a sudden uprising of hop
that he would say, "Oh then. deaTes
Mary ] shall come straight TO, YOU"
But what he said was: "Oh, then. o
course l must do my best 20 get int
parliament and other things viii n
doubt present themselves that [ sha
have TO try for, But don't talk abou
me, Mary; you don't know how bitrcrl
] feel"
"Oh, II you please, Edward, sa!
nothing of that kind. All is settled
it's no use 10 talk of such things tha
are likely to weaken our resolution.
am going nOW--we are cousins, so
may still call you dear Edward Gooc
bye, dear Edward. | shall read tn
newspapers and see your successes AM
no one will rejoice in them more than
shall"
''T had thought" he began. but sh
was gone.
When he left for London an hou
later he looked up when he passet
Nary's window with vague hope o
s,Gng her face once more. Instea,
of Mary's sweet young face he say
that OF her old nurse, Allunby--a grim
y-compleXioned woman, who locke
down on him with such an amount O
concentrated detestation and cOntemp
that he could scarcely think of any
thing else all the rest of the day.
What is that that thev tell me?
said the old, old grandmother of 9
to the old aunt OF GS. Edward ha
broken OFF his engagement 10 Marx
and is going to think Of nothing nov
but making his fortune. 1t can't b
true! 1t can't possibly be true!'
I'm afraid it is" said the old aun
drearily.
Then all l can say Is that there
one thing of which our family ma
boast and that is of having sunnIia
Mr.. Priestly with perfect genuin
devil"