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A Singular Metamorphosis
By
May Evelyn Skiles.
Published in 1902.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. A Mystery Intimated 5
II. She Demands an Explanation 13
III. The Advent of Ralph and a Rejected Proposal 26
IV. The Meeting 32
V. Misunderstandings Arise 44
VI. A Startling Revelation 52
VII. In Which Two Couples Take a Walk 69
A Singular Metamorphosis.
CHAPTER I.
A MYSTERY INTIMATED.
Miss Fiske had lived with the Tracys several years, and her incipient
curiosity concerning the mystery pertaining to their household was
becoming more obvious, for mystery there certainly was. At specific
periods of the year, when she advanced towards certain portions of the
old mansion, she had been deterred in her attempts to proceed. It was
not that she was more curious than the average mortal, but no matter how
devoid of innate curiosity one is, the mere fact that there is something
worthy of secrecy immediately produces as a natural sequence a suddenly
awakened interest and a consequent desire of exposition.
There were only three occupants of the home: the two Tracys, brother and
sister, and Miss Fiske, who had accepted the proffered home on the
death of her father, her only near surviving relative. It is true there
had been an intimation of loving services that might be rendered in
return, to the brother and sister, or, perhaps, she would not have
accepted so readily the proffered home without remuneration, though it
was evident that they needed none, and would have been sorely wounded by
any such offer. Miss Fiske could well have afforded something more
substantial than her presence. While the two families were not
consanguineous, there had been intermarriages, consequently, more than
feelings of friendship existed between them. Mr. Tracy seemed to the
girl of twenty-two almost like a father, guardian he had been till she
arrived at her majority.
Sometimes Adelina fancied her life similar to that portrayed by writers
of fiction, the old dwelling and its accompanying secretiveness all
tending to foster this belief. It is not my wish to leave the impression
that such a trivial circumstance could effect a radical transformation
in so sensible a young person as the one in question, nor did she linger
over these things to the detriment of better thoughts and occupations.
There were times, as already mentioned, when it was plain that her
presence in the western wing of the house would be an intrusion. The
cause of this, try as she would, could not be divined. Everywhere else
she was welcomed with joy, for both Harold and Mary Tracy had learned to
look upon her as the best gift vouchsafed to their isolated lives; not
that they had ever been really unhappy, except at rare intervals, but
for years they had held aloof from the social gatherings of Deanmouth,
deeming each other's society all-sufficient until the appearance of a
third person, who immediately upset that theory, in fact, rejuvenating
all that came into contact with her striking personality. Prior to her
arrival at Deanmouth, there had indeed been one who had succumbed to her
influence. Poor young fellow! He had so long brooded over her refusal to
be in turn influenced in like manner by him that his mind had gradually
become unbalanced. There had been an attack of fever; hence, the
combination of these simultaneous misfortunes--sickness and
disappointment--had resulted in the unhinging of a heretofore well
balanced mind.
Had he not been so weakened mentally and physically by this protracted
illness, this might never have occurred. With no vitality; indeed, no
wish to regain it, what else could have ensued? Miss Fiske was greatly
troubled, reproaching herself constantly, yet conscious of her inability
to act otherwise--at that time, anyway. Had there since been no regret
at the refusal of so great a love? Who will say? none knew of it
assuredly; her uniform cheerfulness precluding all thought of regret or
longing. Were there more resembling her, and thus endeavoring to
ameliorate the woes of others, how far would we be towards the
advancement of the evolution which is the outcome of our existence; but
far be it from me to intimate that there are not many who daily, hourly,
submerge all thought of self in the one desire of abetting others. Was
not that one of the ends for which we were created, else why permitted
to be companions to those with the same sensibilities as ourselves? Miss
Fiske had no notion of embittering her own life or that of others in
bewailing the past, in idle conjectures of what might have been; nor did
she deem it at all necessary to spend her time in futile surmises as to
the future ills that might chance to fall to her lot.
One day Adelina had returned from her accustomed walk, without finding
Mary in her usual place, waiting to welcome her with her peculiarly
sweet smile, and ready interest in all that appertained to the life of a
young person. Adelina was not to wait long, however, before Mary entered
the room, with cheeks flushed with excitement, but if the former
expected any disclosures or explanations incident to the cause of this
agitation, she was destined to disappointment. Her delicate attempts to
elicit information proved futile, and apparently passed unnoticed, for
to effect revelations of a personal nature from beings inherently
reticent is no facile undertaking. Adelina's question with regard to her
friend's welfare met with no response except a rather positive denial as
to any indisposition. Such a fact as the discomposure of Mary was
unusual enough to call forth comment.
"No, dear; I am always well, except, perhaps, during the two months you
are away from me. I am afraid I am very selfish," Mary added, with a
loving smile.
"Dear Mary, the idea of your ever being made selfish by anything is
preposterous. I have often wondered why you and Harold always persist in
my going away at the same time, when I can see how much you miss me."
"Old people have their whims. You have lived with them long enough to
find that out, dear." Adelina's assurance that her friend would never
become old was uttered with a quiet air, but there was, nevertheless, an
internal disquietude in the young girl's mind, for which she could not
account.
"I wonder what's up?" she said to herself. "Why is it I am asked, even
urged, to be away the early part of each summer?" In some unaccountable
way she connected this with the reason of her exclusion from one part of
the house, though repeatedly assuring herself that such a conclusion was
irrelevant. Despite her manifold efforts to the contrary, this thought
was continually recurring to her. Mary's repeated asseverations that she
was only suffering from lassitude did not deceive Adelina, for if she
experienced such a sensation her friends had never known her to admit it
before. Adelina was grieved to witness the agitation which marred the
usual serenity of Mary's countenance.
"Ada, dear, play something restful." Adelina immediately conceded to her
request, and selected from her large repertoire the compositions most
liable to drive away unwelcome thoughts.
"How well you play," said her auditor. "How do you manage to make those
fingers perform their office so well?"
"Look at your own, and behold the answer," laughingly replied Adelina.
Miss Tracy blushed with pleasure, she, too, had performed on the piano
wonderfully well.
The life of this young girl forcibly recalled to her her own youth;
perhaps that is why the years bring to the older members of the great
drama of Life a desire of renewing through others the part as already
enacted by them. Harold, at this juncture, appeared on the scene, the
sound of music, as his sister often told him, seeming to reach him no
matter where he chanced to be. In this instance other thoughts claimed
his attention.
"Adelina," he began, "would you not like to go to some livelier place?"
"Why, Harold, I've just been away."
"Your _just_ means a year, nevertheless," he mischievously retorted,
"however flattered we may be by your implying that the time was short."
This was the time annually appointed for her departure.