The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-11-30

- which was not flattering
to Mr. Majoribanks. But
Mr.. Majoribanks did not
mind; rather, he allowed no one to
guess that he might mind
'For my part, I rather think he is
shortsighted." exclaimed sniffer over
cup of tea. For no man In his
senses could tolerate such peccadil-
loes!"
so even Mr.. Majoribanks was not
given credit for his large -mindedness--
at least. not here. The snff he brushed
from off his feelings as he would a
mosquito from his hand. The pecca-
dilloes-well. no matter.
He would watch the larger insects
come and look, and sip and drink
deep often--then go away when they
We're fed. He smiled upon the insects.
one by one-smiled when they came,
smiled when they went Yet smiling
was not his expression habitually.
When he was alone his countenance
changed materially. No one would
have believed him to be the same man.
But no one saw that side Of him. Some
times. then, he would unlock secret
drawers and take out revolvers, large
and small. He would examine them
carefully, sometimes polish them, then
put them back again quietly.
He had bottles. too-locked carefully
away--marked poison. He poured
some out once into Il small glass and
examined it critically. 1t looked inno-
cent enough. Once u queer light scin-
tilated on the edge Of the glass. 1t
had nothing to do with the light in
the room. He looked up quickly. Pah!
He'd become as nervous as woman!
The moon was looking in at him. The
blind had not been lowered He pulled
it down with an impatient jerk, then
emptied the contents of the glass back
into the bottle
He spent much of his time alone.
When he was not entertaining insects
he was generally by himself Mrs.
Ma ioribanks was usually out. He really
preferred to be alone 1t was often an
effort to look debonair. He had an
idea. too, that his wife was beginning
to see through it. That troubled him.
Above all things he wished her to be
unconscious of his worries. Her own
would come later on perhaps. Why
burden her now with his? She was
young. beautiful. lovable. Others saw
it-well. why shouldn't they? He was
proud of her. II she did not realize
the pain she gave him it was only be-
cause she had not learned to suffer
vet When she had learned to suffer
she would understand him better-ev-
erything better Not that she was any
thing but gentle only-he saw so little
of her.
Was that her footstep? All. He OPP
ened the door quickly. He wanted to
take her in his arms, but thought she
might not like it. He Strengthened the
cushions in Il deep arm chair.
"I--thank you, George. Yes. | VIII
sit down. Arc you very busy?
She looked round at his books and
moved a small hand comprehensively.
"No--not busy"
We'll sit down. I want to talk to
you little"
"That's good, dear! We don't often
have talks now, do we?"
Not very" she answered coldly,
perhaps, but pretty often, if you come
to think Of it, George. Why brisn-
tening, I'VE had Il talk. it must nave
been u week ago.
NO: two, dear
Really? | remember it quite we'll
something about golting. wasn't it. or
shrimping, here in this very room"'
mo, in the garden, dearest-and
Evelyn was with us"
"How odd! And it just happens to
be Harry Evelyn l want to talk to YOU
about tonight"
evelyn" said George. smiling,
"must be in the atmosphere
"Ah. You don't like him. | do
Dearest. / don't in the least dislike
Evelyn; but why talk of Evelyn"
because / want to. l like him--l
love him!"
George looked at her moment
gravely.
There she lay back among the cush-
ions exquisite in her white silk gown,
Il Rossettian head and throat. Her
voice fell soft in cadence. Her lips
We're parted and her breath came
eagerly between. A little flush had
mounted to her face and gone away
again leaving a spot of pink upon
them extra brillance.
"Are YOU Sure?"
George spoke very quietly.
She turned her head and looked at
Inn, surprised.
"Of cOurse'"
I'm sorry"
Aren't you angry
NO"
why aren't you angry" Husbands
should be under such circumstances.
"Should they? Then l am not pat
tern husband" he signed, THAT is
the trouble, possibly"
What trouble?"
"Well-why YOU are in love with
Evelyn"
A man is usually more at ease with
problems standing. At this point Ma
joribanks rose and walked to the fire.
place. There was no fire, but he
turned his back to AN imaginary one
"Well?"
George had not been looking at her.
Her voice recalled him.
"Oh. We were speaking of your af-
fairs. | think?"
Really, George. you are most alb
sent minded! And such affairs, too
So important"
"Of course! Well, what do you
mean to do?"
What can | do under the circum-
stances?' she asked plaintively.
Nothing, | suppose"
"Nothing"