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 incipientcuriosity concerning the mystery pertaining to their household wasbecoming more obvious, for mystery there certainly was. At specificperiods of the year, when she advanced towards certain portions of theold mansion, she had been deterred in her attempts to proceed. It wasnot that she was more curious than the average mortal, but no matter howdevoid of innate curiosity one is, the mere fact that there is somethingworthy of secrecy immediately produces as a natural sequence a suddenlyawakened interest and a consequent desire of exposition.
There were only three occupants of the home: the two Tracys, brother andsister, and Miss Fiske, who had accepted the proffered[6] home on thedeath of her father, her only near surviving relative. It is true therehad been an intimation of loving services that might be rendered inreturn, to the brother and sister, or, perhaps, she would not haveaccepted so readily the proffered home without remuneration, though itwas evident that they needed none, and would have been sorely wounded byany such offer. Miss Fiske could well have afforded something moresubstantial than her presence. While the two families were notconsanguineous, there had been intermarriages, consequently, more thanfeelings of friendship existed between them. Mr. Tracy seemed to thegirl of twenty-two almost like a father, guardian he had been till shearrived at her majority.
Sometimes Adelina fancied her life similar to that portrayed by writersof fiction, the old dwelling and its accompanying secretiveness alltending to foster this belief. It is not my wish to leave