Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-01-05
Merely an Episode.
T would be hard to find a mo-

Charterises. After ten years mar
ried life they are still in love with
each other. Constance is wont to boast
that Dick never has, or has had, a
secret which she has not shared. And
In the main this is true. But there is
one little episode-merely an episode
In his life, to which Dick never refers;
1t is his one secret. And it nearly con-
Germs Constance, too. The wind was
blowing wildly against the smoking
room windows, bringing snow storm
In its train.
Hang it ALL" remarked Dick Char
teris, going to the window and gazing
out disconsolately over a world grow
ing rapidly white, mo hunting today.
And Con won't be back till tonight"
He lit a pipe, drew up a comfortable
chair in front of the fire, and prepared
to make the best Of the inevitable.
The morning paper lay on table at
his elbow. He took it up, glanced
carelessly through it, and soon put it
down again. Judging from the OK
preston of his face, his own thoughts
were supplying sufficient entertain
ment.
"Beg pardon. sir" The butler stood
before him with Il somewhat perplcXed
countenance.
Captain Charters reused himself.
''Well, Hilton?"
"There is a gentleman wishing to see
Sir Godfrey, sir. I've told him Sir
Godfrey is out, and he wants to wait.
But l don't know eXactly-the dining
room and the drawing-room is all up
set, and her ladyship's in the morning
room. Would you mind, sir-?"
"Show him in here, of course" Dick
Charters was, perhaps, growing a
tritle tired of his own company.
POSSIBLY some begging chap though,
coming at this hour" he thought,
stretching his long legs and glancing
lazily at the clock. 1t was barely
twelve.
The first glance at the stranger how
ever, dispelled this idea. Dick looked
at him critically. A tall dark man,
on the wrong side of forty, with a
clever, clean-shaven face His eyes
burned with a curiously eager light.
"The mans ill.," was Dicks first
thought.
He went forward with easy cour-
tesy.
Sorry Sir Godfrey is out just now. >
he remarked, pushing a chair toward
the other. "He had to go to a magis-
trates' meeting. However, he can't be
long now, and perhaps l can do duty
as host in his absence. / can't say I'm
exactly son of the house, still. by
this time next week I hope to be Sir
Geoffrey's son-in-law"
The stranger had been listening al
most mechanically to Charteris's easy
flow of conversation. but ut the last
words he became suddenly alert and
eager.
'Indeed," he said, with scarcely re-
pressed anxiety. May 1 ask your
name?'
Charters. Won't you sit down,
Mr.. -"
But though he tool, The chair. he
paid no attention TO the question in
Dicks tone. The latter began 10 feel
at disadvantage carrying ON CON
versation with a stranger, name I'M
known.
''I should ba sorry to MISC seeing Sir
Geoffrey.' remarked his visitor. his
dull. even tones contrasting so oddly
with the fire in his eyes. 81 am an
old friend of his, but have not seen
him for some time
Charters glanced at him again. He
concluded the man had just come from
abroad. which would account for the
somewhat odd cut of his clothes and
the general look Of certain absence
of up-to-datenpss about him.
mo doubt Sir Godfrey will be in
directly" he remarked. passing the
cigarettes. You find the house in
rather confusion to-day. There's to
be little dance tomorrow. in honor
of the approaching wedding
The other slowly lit cigarette. 81
understand You are going to marry
one of Sir tienffrey's daughters" he
observed, slowly.
'Yes, Constance" He blew a ring