New-York tribune., 1891-05-24
ROWENY IN BOSTON.
SOMETHING ON HER MIND,

wa'h -. was obliged to smell Of every shrub and
svery tuft Of grass
Sometimes bluebird came swooping down
k,ose TO the two women.
The frogs were "hollefIng" in all the low places
.You see, I've got to git right back" said
Mrs Tuttle, gazing in an almost famished way at
her daughter. My bread was almost ris," she
repeated; but thought you must have got round
Warmers Corner, and couldn't help coming"
She put one hand over her eyes for moment.
Her lips trembled. Now that Rowena had actually
come, she could hardly struggle against the re-
action from that long waiting and longing. Her
other hand clutched tightly that of the girl.
"Oh, mother, it was wrong of me to 60, wasn't
it9 Have ! been so wicked?"
Rowena's breath caught. Her words reused
Mrs. Tuttle as nothing else would have done.
e 1t want wrong, neither-not an atom" she
exclaimed. "You can't expect me to jest love to
have you gone, Roweny; but guess you've got
right TO your life IS much S had TO mine when
married your father n left my home. l amt
goin' to be foolish another minute The children
are all TO school. They've missed you lot. Your
father was blged to go to the Corners, but he
expected to be back by this time; N there he is
now"
An old gray horse attached to an ancient COW
sred wagon of the kind locally called bedrooms"
was now seen coming from the opposite direction.
Mr.. Tuttle bent over and whipped his horse, which
gave lurch and then seemed to retrace its steps.
Rowena forward. Mr. Tuttle hurriedly
stepped on top of the wheel and jumped TO the
ground.
We'll, am glad" he said, after he had kissed
her. :" 1 declare, the days have been awful long,
Roweny. How's your drorn?"
The terrier allowed himself to be greeted
lFwarmly. 1t was plain that he approved Of this
part Of tie world; it was much better than pave
ments and city streets. He followed Rowena as
she went about TO every nook and corner of the
house and barns. She strolled up the lane. Ap-
parently the same woodpecker was pounding on the
immense old chestnut tree that stood by the bars
at the brook. Absolutely nothing had changed
and yet
Roweua did not know what il was. She was so
glad. so very glad to be there. She knew that
if she had returneI within a week or two after
she had left, her happiness would have been
greater. She did not understand it at all Per
haps it would all come to her at last; she was
waiting for absolutely the same feeling There
was no one 10 tell her that absolutely the same
feeling would nNer come to her again.
Presently she heard her mothers voice calling
10 her from the back door of the barn.
She ate lunch, with her father and mother
sitting and looking at her. Their faces shone.
They tried TO be staid and calm.
Rowena was obliged to eat before supper time,
because she was going directly TO see George
Warner.
1T does seem as If George had something on
her mind" Mrs. Tutte had just said. Taint
natural for a girl to take all the bitters she's
taken without havin' some appetite less there
was something on her mind But she keeps sayin'
there amt"
"She ought to know remarked Rowena, try
ing to cot a seed-cake. "I'm sure / should know
il had anything on my mind" she laughed.
Who's going TO know if you don't know yourself ?
What is 1t supposed TO be ~
II guess it aih't supposed" replied Mrs Tut
tie, giving lavish morsels of very sweet ginger
bread to MarmadulSe, who partook approvingly.
"Shes had to git substitoot for her school.
Jim Townshends there every day. 1t can't be
no trouble about him. Praps SHELL tell you some
thing"
"Oh, we'll" said Mr.. Tuttle, in his usual optl-
mistic way, Il guess George IL weather it fast
enough / spose she's got kind of er spring
fever; n mebby her humor's workin' some"
Mrs. Tutte shook her head.
Hiram. YOU know there amt nobody equil
to Mis- Warner for doct'rin' humor It's NOR
q humor."
Very soon Rowena was hurrying along the road
alone She could hear Marmadukes shrill re-
monstrance against being left behind AS She
walked through the pines She recalled that day
she had walked there before she went to Boston.
How long ago was thatP She had known Miss
Phillipps since then-and Mrs. Bradford. She
walked still faster.
Eunice was lurking among the pines nearest her
home She had an apron pinned over her head,
and the long, broad strings of 1t fiuttered like
lpennons as she ran forward
= "She's expectin' vel" she shouted, when still at
some distance. "She's ben cryin'. She cries a
lot She cries if you speak to her, n if you
don't. Tain't very pleasant to our house now."
The latter sentences were spoken after the
child had reached Rowena and was walking by
her holding her hand.
Although George was so impatient, Eunice was
disposed to hnger. She had great deal she
wished TO say; she wished to tell Rowena, among
other things what Marthy S. had been saying
about her
But Rowena would not linger. She was some
what excited when she began TO ascend the stairs
that led to the chamber where George was She
went alone 1t had been Georgie's desire that
she come alone
She stopped ON instant at the broad, top stair
Then she softly opened the door.
George dressed in pink calico wrapper
She was lying on lounge that was drawn to
the window There a small air-tight stove
in the room, and the air was close and warm.
She half raised herself and eagerly held out
her arms, her thin, flushed face looking strange
30 Rowena, who had never seen it save when
1t was plump and commonplace.
The newcomer sat quickly down on the side
Of the couch and encircled her friend in her own
arms, putting her cool face to the hot. weary
one.
George began TO tremblc and to sob.
Don't cry-don't cry" murmured Rowena
holding the trembling form more closely.
Her presence and her voice appeared TO soothe
the sick girl She became more quiet
al shall take you out in our old bedroom,
kaid Rowena, after awhile. you must have the