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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.




CHAPTER II.

SHE DEMANDS AN EXPLANATION.


It all happened so naturally, with such an evident desire for her
happiness and comfort that each time Adelina felt the inability to
frustrate the plans of Harold and Mary. How her friends could feel that
her pleasure was so much involved was more than she could determine.

"Why should I, who am always well, need change, when you two never go
away?" Adelina asked, then added, without leaving time for an answer,
"it is not quiet for me now."

"It is strange how lively one curate can make a place. He is really the
only addition to the place that I can think of," rejoined Mr. Tracy,
half satirically. It will be readily seen that he had the man's
universal love of teasing. Though the remark was made in fun, the girl
betrayed confusion, at which Harold wondered. Could it be possible that
she had in so short a time begun to take an interest in this stranger,
or was there some latent thought of that other, whose love for her had
ended so disastrously for himself? Aloud, Harold said, "There's no
accounting for the love affairs of a young girl," which sententious
remark really expressed his inmost thoughts. Miss Fiske had regained her
equanimity ere long, and showed it by her readiness to indulge in
repartee.

"Harold," she said, "you get worse every year."

"In what way am I deteriorating? Ah, 'tis looks you doubtless mean," he
ruminatingly replied. "Not only every year, but every day I see my
natural head-gear vanishing." This was said as though he was sorely
wounded, with the pretense of ruefully feeling with caution the head
which proclaimed to all that the extreme paucity of hair was no
exaggeration on his part.

"That does not indicate a falling away of your lingual powers, however,"
saucily replied Adelina.

"Fie, every one knows my scarcity of words."

"Oh, yes, doubtless; when seen as I chanced to view you an hour ago. You
were quietly sleeping over a musty psychology. Yes, I admit you were
quiet then. Were you illustrating the chapter on sleep?"

"Mary, Mary, can you stand by and hear me thus maligned?"

"Mary knows better than to take up for you. Already you presume too much
on your past right of guardianship. Even a few moments ago you were
trying to dispose of me by sending me to the farthest corners of the
earth." As "the farthest corners of the earth" meant only a score of
miles, the good-natured controversy ended in laughter. A cloud had come
over the face of Miss Tracy at the last words of Adelina. The latter, on
reviewing her words, could only attribute it to the mention of her
departure. If the truth were known, Miss Tracy had been reminded of
something which had taken place prior to the above conversation. Adelina
knew nothing of this, except in so far as it related to the effect as
displayed on her friend's countenance when she had surprised her by her
sudden entrance to the room. Mary had evidently expected a quiet
retreat, and so was unprepared to greet Adelina in an impassive manner.
Adelina had felt hurt that she was not instantly taken into Mary's
confidence. It was so seldom that Mary showed any disposition towards
concealment with her. Adelina's thoughts were, however, interrupted as
far as this was concerned; for Harold and Mary were again discussing the
contemplated trip, and she did not wish to appear ungrateful to them for
planning what she inwardly objected to most decidedly. The little frown
that followed augured ill for the success of their project,
nevertheless. There was no need, she said, of her going away every May
and June. The mere fact that this took place at stated times each year
was monotonous, to say the least. If a change was necessary, she felt
that a change of time alone would be effectual in procuring good
results. It would break the monotony, if nothing more. This looked like
sheer obstinacy.

"See what humoring her has done," said Mr. Tracy, with a smile, that did
not conceal the underlying gravity. The gravity Adelina thought was only
the result of her alleged objection to the carrying out of his purposes.
Though she felt half reluctant to persevere in her own interests, she
said to herself that she would not be treated like a baby, and disposed
of in this summary manner. Aloud she said, "If you wish to dispose of
me, say so; it certainly looks as though you wished to get rid of me."
Then, ashamed of her petulant utterance, she hastened to add, "It does
seem that I might be permitted to know what concerns myself. What takes
place in my absence is no concern of mine, but to know why that absence
is necessary seems a most natural desire."

The reference to the taking place of something in her absence was not
premeditated; in fact, Adelina had not considered the significance of
her words. That the others had was obvious, as was revealed by the
questioning looks exchanged between brother and sister, interpreted as
wishing to know whether or not the other deemed a disclosure to be
plausible. Adelina looked from one to the other in amazement. Had she
prepared her words she would not have pronounced any more calculated to
produce consternation. So there was some reason for her being sent away
at a particular time; opposition would not have produced such an effect
as this. She was undecided as to her procedure. She well knew that there
is victory in the manner of accepting defeat. If she gracefully retired
she would lose all chance of whatever explanation that might be rendered
to her, though she was dubious that any would be vouchsafed. In the
event of remaining in a quiescent attitude, a revelation might be
effected. If she did the latter and found no hope of gratification
forthcoming, doubtless she would wish she had decided on the other
course. "Well," she argued, "I'll apply my knowledge; somewhere I have
read or heard that when you are undecided what to do, don't do
anything--a most convenient theory, at any rate." Having justified
herself in this conclusion, she assumed a carefully-studied air of
complete indifference, which maneuver would, she hoped, bring about best
results. When she was unoccupied and quiet, too, people generally
inquired if she was sick, which is frequently the case where an
excessive talker is concerned. The desired issue was forthcoming.

"Adelina," said Mr. Tracy, "we had no idea that you were concerned about
this affair. Had we known that you perceived any alteration in us, we
would long ago have decided that it was best to tell you all." Mr.
Tracy looked as though he scarcely knew how to proceed. When once he had
decided on the right course, however, he pursued it without deviation,
without any consideration of personal disinclinations or inconveniences
which might possibly accrue. Those who can thus felicitously form
certain decisions appertaining to their moral obligations, and having
arrived at such decisions, can unswervingly follow the proscribed mode
of conduct, should indeed be content.

"It is only natural, my child," resumed Mr. Tracy, "that you desire to
have revealed to you what so nearly concerns you." To a stranger Mr.
Tracy's manner might possibly have produced an impression of latent
irritation. The noblest natures, when endeavoring to overcome emotion
have often, unfortunately, inadequate means of expressing or manifesting
the beneficence actually belonging to them. There was no danger of a
misunderstanding here; daily intercourse with a man like this would bear
evidence of his nobility. After a slight interval devoted to
consideration as to his manner of procedure, he said, "Our wish to have
you away during May and June was for your own good."

"That I never doubted," replied Adelina, with a grateful look.

"If you remember, it was three years ago that we first proposed your
leaving us. Did you in no way associate it with something happening the
same year?"

"Dear Harold, when did anything so momentous take place?" Harold,
reflecting on his inability to prepare Adelina, added:

"It was the year poor Ralph Bamford was taken ill. Have you never
wondered where he has been since then?" As if to cover her confusion, he
quickly added:

"But of course you have; your natural kindness would lead you to
conjecture that far. His malady has never rendered him dangerous to
those about him, hence he has remained a portion of each year with us;
the rest of the time with a private family. It was through his ravings
that we learned the circumstances you know so well--better than any.
Since that time we have always had him with us the months when his
sickness is at the worst. Once he caught a glimpse of you--the effect
can readily be imagined. We have deemed it expedient to send you away to
prevent similar attacks." Mr. Tracy had spoken rapidly, as if to
eliminate the supposition that his hearer must be equally garrulous.
Even though the young girl's feelings had not been involved in
sentimentalities, such reminiscences would be painful to any endowed
with the capacity of sympathizing. She was really more indifferent
regarding her own situation than she was at the knowledge of pain
inevitably inflicted on another by herself. The majority of girls would
doubtless have preferred to evince no interest in the young man she had
formerly subjugated. Far from her was the intention of affecting the
anticipated lack of interest in his welfare. Even Harold and Mary would
have thought the desire to avert comment justifiable; however, Adelina
took the opposing course by continuing to interrogate them.

"Is he at all improved of late? Poor boy. I shall always feel that I am
to blame."

"Nonsense, my dear," returned Harold. "Then