The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-28
ssv WITHOUT q doubt. Jack, you're
w the most unsociable pessi-


| M the most unsociable pessi-
w mist it has ever been my
misfortune to waste time on Cheer
up. man"
Having delivered his opinion, Mr.
| Robert Edwards otherwise known as
Bobby, tipped his cigar ash over the
carpet TO emphasize his remarks, as
only Bobby knew how His friend. Jac,
Carlton. lying on the divan in the cor
ner, seemed apparently unaware of
Bobby's presence.
as his first attempt went unnoticed
Bobby bothered his brain for some
topic that would interest his listless
friend. Deep In thought--a most un-
usual thing for him-his eyes roved the
| walls of the cosy smoking room as il
| in search of what the brain required.
| There were the machetes Jack had
brought back from Cuba. the bolo given
him by friend in the Philippines, the
Malayan kris. the Chinese joss, odds
and ends from quaint hooks, but these
had long ago been discussed and lost
what slight interest they had for Jack
Carlton. Finding nothing to satisfy his
search in these things. Bobby resigned
himself to a forced silence which he
]
After a few minutes. unable to re-
main quiet very long, he essayed an
! other attempt.
mummy at Christmas time, old chap?
Nobody pities you: one feels that way
| ones self"
Deeper silence. More cigar ashes.
You don't need money. do you? No,
| can't blow in the income of an appreci-
| ativc uncle's fortune. What the deuce
| is the matter if it isn't money? There
| isn't anything much besides that. Your
jumper broken his leg? Bull pup i'll :?
Valet left you? A little louder, please.
l didn't quite hear your remarks,
No answer; impatient flip of cigar.
We'll. if you won't. YOU won't, my
boy, and as I'm overcharged with news
you shall have the benefit of my COM
pany until your remarks become more
audible. Awful funny thing about Mrs
Butfington's dance: fellow there wasn't
invitcd-chucked out-big write-up in
the paper this morning. Dinner at the
Stanley's tomorrow. Hear Miss STAN
hope is to be there. Fine looking girl
isn't she? BY the way, hear she's en-
gagged. All! interested at last. | see
You might as well own up, now"
The man on the couch had heard al,
that Bobby had to say with perfectly
listless indifference until Miss Stan
hopes name was mentioned. He gave
a little start at hearing it, as one will
do when recognizing a familiar name.
and the start was more pronounced at
the announcement of her supposed en-
gagement. The betrayal of any inter-
est was only momentary. however: but
the start had not escaped the ewes
of the other man.
"All right, Jack, if you intend to be
such a gloomy beggar I think I'll be
going, as I've several things to attend
to. For one thing, Pm going to look
IN at the old auction shop where they're
selling the contents of the Van Alenr
mouse. sad thing, that failure of the
van Aleers, wasn't it? Hear that some
OF the things are very presentable: may
buy IN few for my room. Ry-by. old
man. Take my advice and apply for
position as bear up at the zoo. By-
by"
Absolutely satisfied with himself and
humminG an aria from one of the lat
est operas, Mr.. Robert Edwards
slammed the door to notify his friend
of his departure and picked his way
down stairs. He had not quite reached
the bottom when voice from the ton
OF the stairs arrested his step.
II say. Bobby" the voice began, "if
you don't mind waiting a few minutes
until ! get into another coat, III walk
along down to the auction room with
YOU"
"Oh! very we'll" answered that COM
placent young gentleman. but hurry
it up little, Jack, I'm late already"
In very few minutes tall. we'll
built and well-groomed young man de-
scended the stairs. His face, however,
still bore the marks OK the listlessness
he had displayed in the smoking room.
These two started out in a very leis-
urely manner, strolling down Fifth
avenue and occasionally acknowledge
ing the mods of acquaintances. The al
most unbroken silence, which Carlton
had kept until now. continued while
they walked several blocks. Neither
seemed i'm any hurry to speak until
Carlton, with an apologetic cough, ad-
dressed the other man.
Bobby" he said, you're a pretty
good sort of a fellow.
ilad you lhlhk so, sald Bobby
II do" returned the other, "and to
prove 1t I'm going to tell you some
thing which have never told anyone
else and which is sacred TO me-"
Want sympathy, don't you?" asked
Bobby.
You're very good to listen to me at
ALL" answered Carlton. ''after my surly
mood this afternoon; but the fact Is
must tell some one, ana l know you
won't let 1t go any farther, You no.
ticed that Miss Stanhope's name
caused some interest IN me up in the
room, didn't you?"
Nod from Bobby, who seemed to be |
interested In the head of his cane,
We'll" continued the other. that's |
where the trouble lies. TO begin with, |
/ met Miss Stanhope at poor old Van |
Aleer's house party about a year ago. |
You remember the party up at his