The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-03-15

vowed ne WOuiu never descend TO, and
at others there was a sarcastic glitter
in her eyes as IL she thought that at
last he was falling into some snare
which she had cleveffy laid for him,
and rejoiced in his approaching dis
aster. Looking back, he could not see
trace i'm her of the girl whom he
could have loved-except the face. And
the face itself. was so different, though
just the same! TO think that so short
space of time could have effected so
great an alteration! Yet, stay, that
girl, though to outward view an angel,
was merely u heartless decelver. Per-
haps the inner fiend had worked
through at last.
1t must be understood that he did not
think so of Lady Verdright when he
was with her. Had that been the case,
1t would have been easy to break
away. 1t was only when he was alone
that he could critlcse her coolly and
total UP her defects. When he was in
her presence he was like a person hyp-
Noticed.
One day they We're sitting out in the
front of the hotel watching the poly
glot crowds that swayed to and fro.
1t happened that there passed by a
certain Lady FitzPallon, who had
made herself notorious by the pecu-
liarly cynical and heartless way in
which she had thrown over man to
whom she was engaged in order to
marry another of higher rank.
Now, that woman rs a heartless
wretch, if you like" said Lady VERDI
right vehemently.
Captain Tunstall glanced at her and
shrugged his shoulders. He remem-
bered the proverb which advises alb
stinence from any discussion of hemp
en- manufactures in a house where a
member has died of oversuspension.
Don't YOU think so?" demanded
Lady Verdright.
Perhaps she began as a flrt and
clipped by easy stages into what she
is" replied Tunstall cynically.
"Oh,as to flirtng-just ordinary nirt-
ing-human nature tends to it, But
this woman was much worse than
that"
Il agree with you that for an en-
gagged woman to tirt with another man
is the worst of ALL said Tunstall, eye
ing her with meaning.
She bubbled over with laughter.
Excuse me. | could not help it.
Really when you look at me in that
severe way you cmuse me--dreadfully.
Now, l suppose the meaning of it all
is that you think that some engaged
woman has been flirting with you and
you resent it,
This was bringing the war into the
enemy's country with a vengeance.
Tunstall did not feel equal to charg-
ing her formally with that offense-
especially as it seemed likely that she
would laugh at him. On the other
hand, she really was not worth lie.
While he was reaching this polite
conclusion, she struck in abruptly.
suppose a case" she said. ooh, |
know of one, in which a young girl
who knew hardly anything of the world
or her own mind, and had never seen
any man who moved her heart at ALL
became engaged to a man chiefly be-
cause he proposed and her parents ap-
proved, and she thought it was fine
thing to be engaged, just as, few
years before, she mad thought it fine
thing to have her hair put up. And
then suddenly she met man who
opened her heart and showed her what
was in it, and the hopelessness and
heartlessness of the union she had
"And when she had derived sufficient
amusement and instruction from the
contemplation of it, she shut it up
again, and. like sensible girl. mar
ried the original man, salved the wick
edness, and saved the scandal Do I
take you right?"
"Oh, for goodness sake don't look at
me like that cried Lady Verdright
with ripple of laughter. / must
laugh if you do, and ] want to cry. But
she didn't marry the original man. She
broke it Off
Broke it offs" This was mexpect-
ed. Then the lady was not talking
about herself And married the 9TH
err"
"They have not met again"
Really, what Il pity! Do you know,
l like the idea of your friend She
seems to me to be rather noble grl.
One of the few, I SUPPOSE"
You are exceedingly rude" said
Lady Verdright betwxt anger and
mirth. Il will not pretend to misun-
derstand you any longer. You have
is most impolite. If my husband
wasn't such a bad shot. / would tell
him to call you out. And the best of
it is that you are quite mistaken"
"Mistaken!" cried Tunstall. What
on earth do you mean?"
you don't deserve to be told. In
fact, if did what you deserve | should
leave you to founder as you are. But
am very good-natured, so if you like
to come to our room / will show you
that will interest you"
Almost mechanically Tunstal fol-
lowed her to the private room on the
first floor. His thoughts We're in a
whirl. Mistaken? What did she mean
by that? Was it possible that. But
there was no conference in it all. He
mystery, but there was none.
Once arrived, she merely pointed to
one of the many photographs that
adorned the over-mantel.
DO you recognize that"
"Of course he replied, in amaze |
ment; "it is you-and good like
ness,"
Look again. Don't you see any diff
rerence?"
well, since you press me-" he said. |
lot without malicious enjoyment. 1T |
s you at your best. Perhaps IL is a |
pity that you don't always look like |
hat, and do your hair like that You !
lad it so when YOU We're at Lady Phil |
stons"
She uttered a harsh. strident laugh. |
We'll, all through life l have been |
given to understand that | am not AS |
pretty as my sister, but never so plain
y as now"