The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-13

n HETAPHOR1CALLY speaking, the
wi world stood still when the news
i went forth of the projected alli-
ance between young Frank Varley and
Mary Markham. l confess that even
to me, phlosophic though am by ma
ture, the announcement came as a
| shock.
Frank was such tremendous favor
lite with everybody who had welcomed
him as their pet and darling ever since,
a mere sunny faced STRIPPING, he made
mis- bow to society.
From the first they had decided he
was to be a second Paderewski. and
every musical composition he sent forth
was as extravagantly admired and ex-
| tOlled as If he had in truth borne that
magic name.
Frank hmself-handsome, gay and
debonair - cordially appreciated his
easily gained laurels; and If it all
slightly turned his youthful head, his
conceit was so frank and so outspoken
| that to his women friends at least 1t
was rather naive attraction than a
failing, while the men accepted it toler-
antly as pardonable attribute of his
genius
Somehow no one had ever entertained
| the idea of his marrying suddenly. more
especially an unknown wife Of his own
choosing.
That was where the sting lay.
Frank, the elegant, the fastidious and
refined. with his artistic temperament
and passion for the beautiful, to choose
as wife such hopeless woman as Mary
| Markham!
The loud and disparaging descriptions
of the timorous young woman who had
dared to rob society of its favorite made
me quite anxious to meet the original.
And confess that when did, shortly
after the marriage, my first impression
| was that the accounts had been sur
prisingly uneXaggerated.
She was almost painfully shy and re-
| tiring-worst possible accoutrements
for society encounters, causing her in
stantly and scornfully to be stigma tized
as awkward, dull and empty of ideas.
| Then she was quite plain, possessed a
squat figure, which she dressed atro-
ciOusly, and had not the slightest idea
of how to make the most of the scant
attractions she could boast of.
How she had ever attracted the young
musician was a complete puzzle to
everyone.
Frank himself, however, was obvious
ly content with his prize.
|
I chanced to meet Mrs. Kingston on
her way back from her first call on the
new Mrs. Varley.
"Well?" quered as the landau drew
up beside me.
Mrs. Kingston looked at me for some
| 10 ip Of roA hof
replying. Then, II never pronounce
sentence upon one hearing" she pro-
claimed judicially. Whereat I knew
that Mrs. Kingston was divided in her
mind and halting between two opin-
ions.
Not long afterward we had arranged
some expedition together. On her way
Mrs. Kingston intended paying second
call on the musicians wife. The lam
dau was to come on, pick me up and
return to terminate her call at pre-
cisely o'clock.
| was unavOidably delayed, however,
and 1t was nearer the half hour when.
not without great inward trepidation, !
drew up outside the Varley establish
ment. 1t had been previously arranged
that on no account was I to lose time
| ny ueSCtH0iIlS anu SolHs III. one WAS
| to come out Immediately.
| On my way thither fancy conjured up
| lurid visions of that charming and irate
lady, furiously indignant, waiting on
the topmost step. I breathed supreme
relief at seeing she was not there.
Then, at length, she appeared, smiling
and unapologetic.
| "Well?" ] observed grimly.
| She beamed unabashed.
| "Why didn't you come in?" she
queried, surprise tinged with reproach.
| ] leaned back and gasped.
| And you told me particularly not
to-"
Did I?"-innocently, "oh. well-but
| did not know her so we'll them"
! forebore to remind her that l was
still in that unenviable state of ignor-
ance, and contented myself with my
| former question.
"Well?"
Mrs. Kingston looked at me with
sparkling eyes.
IF l We're man." said she with
hnality, I'D marry that woman tomor-
row."
"Shall you make the rest OF the world
be of the same opinion?" ! asked curl
ously.
She colored family,
mo" she decided, a shade defiantly.
Il shall keep her as a charming oasis
in my arid social desert"
She looked away from my condemn
ing eye.
Anyway" she maintained, self-ex-
| cusingly, "she was never intended for a
society but erliy. Nothing would tempt
her from her seclusion, am convinced,
so II would he no good trying"
Certainly Frank vas a husband OF