New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-11
route though she declined Bob's offer to escort ner
That would have been too great concession.
III

Bobs interview with Sir Hugh had resulted IN
the former getting what he wanted; IN lact, 1
began to perceive that when once BOD had con-
WINGED himself that nc was in the right ne gen,
orally did gain his own way: There was good
deal Of decision In the boylsh, shaggy head; and
where that went in unison with his heart, ne was
not to be daunted by an army Of opposition. -,
For some days he seemed worried and unlike
himself and left Off whistling about the house and
ga rden-such an ominOus sign with Bob tnat
asked him if anything serious troubled him.
"Me personally? No, nothing" he answered.
But when the death-rae runs up at the rate It Is
doing at Trevene. one can't help feeling plenty Of
trouble hanging about in the air The diphthefia
is spreading rapidly and children are dying OIL
by dozens, poor little beggars. / had no idea the
alive with brats It's horrid mistake having
such large families he added, quantity; but.
when once they exist, room must be found Tor
them somewhere. one cant oro"h supernuouo
babies. like puppies
you don't mean to say that you nave Dcen
poking about at Trevene ?" exclaimed, Qrixoticc
young idiot! We shall have You III next: hn NJ
after being so yondrous wise with MISS cyh.hieI
Il can't sit and do nothing: There IS no one
else who can will do IL. 1 am Just on tnerc
now to meet the doctor, and consult with him us 10
what can be done, before things are worse. Bat
one can't cure IL at once. He says that untll
the place is properly drained 1t is as useless 10
try and cure disease to stem torrent,
l used my weightiest arguments to convince b bne
he laughed at me for being an old raven. ana
recommended me to employ my time Letter down
by the river with a rod.
"Uness you are afraid of catching chilli he
called back with his jolly laugh. But leave me
alone. Thanks; | don't want to wrap myself up
in cottonwood, like Dresden china figure.
remember that Bob and were particularly
lively that night at dinner and aftcrward was
melted by his flow Of spirits to relate some OF my
campaigning experiences | suppose | was rather
prosy and lOng-winGed, for at last became aware
that my auditor was snoring like young gnmpus.
Looking ND. | saw that he was sound asleep, his
face flushed, his breath coming heavily. Some
thing in his appearance struck me unpleasantly,
and I tried TO wake him. which was no easy
and when at last / succeeded in rOusinc him.
he confessed that he felt "dead beat and
needed but little persuasion to betake himself 10
bed, without even having finished his after-dinncr
cigar
little episode that had taken place that afternoon
Although not present at II myself can recount 1t
pretty accurately. having heard all about 1t hrst
from Bob and afterward from Cynthia.
It seems that when he had finished his business
at Trevene poking his into every pcstilcntial
corner, and dived to the bottom OF the evils. Bob
started on his homewarG, way, when, lust at the
entrance of the village, he saw the figure or n
young woman crossing the rustic bridge over the
brook
Now Bob was at one end Of the bridge, the
young woman at the other Whether they wished
TO or not they were bound to meet in tho middle,
and being cousins, they could hardly, with
civility, do so without few words Of greeting.
Bob was whistling Wen never come home no
more When he saw Cynthia, he stopped abruptly
and frOwned.
Cynthia was singing "Oh, that we two were
Maying." She stopped and smiled
Once, I think, the positions would have been
On her arm Cynthia carried large basket,
whence protruded the neck of bottle: suggestive
bottle, then at the girls bright face.
Been having a picnic,' ne asked, "all by
YOURSELF"
Il am taking some things from Lady Blum
and four children are ill., answered Cynthia
Il never saw such little mseries They ought
to be dosed with port wine all round.'
But | don't think you ought to take it, IN
mo, indeed said Cynthia tossing her head
Please let me pass"
why are you so obstinate? I only advise
Then why are you here? We are both NOR
tai | suppose.
Il came because no one else cen do what l
had to do" said Bob. - So you see could not
help myself"
Just my case. Lady Bundell's maid would
not cOme-no one would come Besides, Ire.
vene has more calls oW me than It has on them,
she went on. L can never forget that this used
TO be my home. And then often think this mis-
cry is partly nv fault. never used to bother
about it. You remember, | was angry with Won
when you suggested improvements, and for long
afterward / bore you grudge. In fact, believe
! tried to influence Sir Hugh not TO give up his
lease when you wanted him to- There-now you
She was looking at him with defiant blue eyes
her lips were quivering as though she had forced
herself to say all this against her will and hated
the office.
Bobs face was quite impassive. lie only muir
INJURED something about not UNDERSTANDING how she
coa1 have an sne ee Tnsb5 ola dfG aes
influenced his brother, and he managed most of
Sir IIugh's affairs.
Then all can say Is that IL IS PITY you
don't use your influence for better ends" said
Bob, in a voice of angry scorn. At all events,
don't make matters worse by folly. Give me
your basket"
It was the first time Cynthia had seen Bob
reused like this. She scarcely recognized her
former casy-going companion in the irate young
mentor with his wrathful blue eyes.
"Nevcr!" she replied, though her voice had
lost its vigor. She had never been afraid of Bob
the lamb: but Bob the lion positively awed her.
Let me so on, she said feebly. You are
II don't care!" cried Bob You drive me to
it,"
Then. taking the basket perforcc out of her re-
luctant hands, he swung 1t over the low rail OF
"Thcre' he said. Now will stay here till
you 60 home"
Cynthia, completely at bay. Nothing shall in
duce me to stay here with you"
Bob made no reply but watched her until she
crestfallen. He had lost his temper with woman
and felt heartily ashamed of himself. What
rough brute | am he kept saying TO himself
Presently he plckeu up thc SCdO'clcu
Of the basket which were but little the worse fer
their fall, and turned back toward Trevene.
Its no use wasting good port, he thought,
ruefully. ITO these poor wretcncS l dare say IL
is even more precious than my lost temper"
Bob was stricken with diphtheria. There could
be no doubt of it. l knew the symptoms TOO
well to require confirmation of my fears from the
doctor 1t was what they called bad case
and | knew, too, what that meantime old story
of the Young aud strong and brave cut of In the
heyday of youth and vigor. Poor Bob! Poor
Bob! -,
On the second day of his illness | was pacing
eorro,vruIlv nm and down the orchard, feeling half
vexed with the keen spring sunshine. low could
H. come hooking us like this when the young
ro,star 90 Pensil Law stihin. indoors not TO issue