New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-21
ROWENY IN BOSTON.
Xxx.
MARMApCKE AND MARTHY S. MAKE THEM

The two stood in the middle of the dusty road
inst where Foster had left them
Were you alone here with that man?"
Mr. Bradford put the question with so much
asperity that Rowenas eyes flashed.
Il have been alone here with you." she said.
Then she seemed to think it not worth while TO
be angry and added quickly, Do you consider
it being alone ii you have buggy and a terrier.
and a girl, and horse with youP But the
horse is so lame that perhaps he doesn't count.
Do you think we can get him anywhere, Mr..
Bradford? Please look at him. Perhaps you can
lead him. This is Mr.. Bradford, Miss Foster, y
as the two came to the place where Foster S
sister was standing desolatey by the buggy, hardly
taking it In that her brother had really gone
Mr.. Keats Bradford needed all his self-posses-
sion to enable him 10 be as nOnchalantly calm as
he was now. He greeted this new young lady
Is if he were meeting her in drawingroom. lie
asked if he could help her in any way. In hVe
minutes he found himself first in a procession
which consisted of himself leading that other
young mans lame horse, while two young women
and dog followed on behind
Bradford was not wearing his eyeglass so mucn
In these days; but he was stll as helPieSS 0on-
corning his pronunciation
He was swearing occasionally now with q
great deal of earnestness. He had ridden over
this evening with the intention of having
short time alone with Miss Tuttle. lie did not
know when he should have another opportunity.
1t would not be so easy TO meet her in Boston lie
felt that it was an absolute necessity for him 10
see her.
He glanced back at her now She was walking
somewhat by herself Her hat was pushed back.
He saw the outline of her face and that her lips
were close shut, as if she were thinking steadily
Was she thinking of that man who had just
ridden awayp 1t was all very odd How did the
fellow come here? And were the police after
him? 1t seemed to Bradford if there was a
favor of the police in the way the escape had been
made; for 10 must be escape. He would have
IL out with Rowena at the first possible moment,
He looked back again. This time Rowena looked
ot him: she smiled. He could not comprehend
why this country girl should have smile that
might mean nothing-or everything He had
spent great many hours of late thinking of that
smile Just at this moment he asked himself If 1t
were likely she had ever bestowed 1t upon that
person to whom he had just now lent his horse.
II was great trial to Keats Bradford that a
stranger should ride his horse. He WINGED now
as he thought Of it. He had not an acquaintance
whom he would willingly have mount that init
mate equine friend of his. What if that fellow
should strike himp What if he should make him
20 too far and too fast? And when and where
was the owner TO have him againp
Having asked these questions irritatedly Of him.
self, Bradford fell to planning precisely what he
should do if he ever succeeded in leading this
atrociously lame beast far as Mr. Tuttle's He
made his plans very distinctly, and he adhered to
them.
At last the company had entered the yard of the
Tuttle house. Rowena ran forward and soon re-
turned with her father. What explanation she
had given him was not known. Mrs. futile APP
peared on the porch with an apron over her head
She invited Miss Foster TO come in and rest her
Rowena was following her. There could be no
question about the further travel of the lame
horse.
Bradford's face was set to q resolution.
Rowena heard voice close behind her say:
Miss Tuttle."
She paused and half turned her head. The
sthers went on.
=" / am devoured by curiosity" said Bradford.
"Oh" said the girl.
81 am also devoured by anxiety lest something
happen to my horse. love my horse"
She turned fully round toward him.
~If YOU are devoured by two such feelings
dhere will soon be nothing left of you,' she re-
sponded. Then she added quickly and ear
uestly: Il know what it was for you to senc
your horse thus. 1t was so good of YOU"
Are you WEAKLY very gratefulP"
Indeed ] am"
"Prove it,"
She blushed and hesitated. He tried to speak
calmly.
Must / prove it?" she asked
"Yes; you must 1 hope it won't cost you much
TO walk down the road with me-
But if | meet some one who asks, Are you
alone with that man -"
II will answer such person. oo Come wh;s
pered to her not 10 go. She was afraid.
But Miss Foster"
She can wait"
She turned and whistled for Marmaduke who
had followed Miss Foster into the house and who
was now deeply engaged in smelling of her skirts
He felt that there something of which he dld
not fully approve about this newcomer and ne
was trying 10 decide precisely what il was.
lie galloped out at the door, however, when he
heard his mistress whistle ,
Are YOU going to take him " asked Bradford
"YOu would not separate me from Marina
dulIe?"
She glanced up at him as she lifted the terrier
and put him under her
Bradford groaned aloud. He would perhaps
learn as Philip Barrett had learned, that small
dog is not always source of unmiNed pleasure Ie
all parties concerned. There especially
strong desire on Rowena's part to have MaTmaduke
with her. He was third person, shield, pro
lection. He was usually discriminating 10 the
times when he ought TO assert himself; but II
must be owned that he sometimes asserted him
self when he ought not, thus resembling many
human beings. He never erred on the side OF
self-su ppreSsiOn; again resembling many human
beings
Bradford and his companions walked slowly
out of the yard and down the road in different
direction from that in which they had just come
The Young man was still thinking of the fact thai
another man had kissed Eowena's hand short
time ago, and he might have been'ln the habit OF
doing
He broke out in q startling manner.
d" Was that person your lover?
Po,yenn reddened furiously. She did not like
70 think of that kiss. 1t made her shudder to re
member IL.
No" she answered
Did you want him TO kiss your hand?"
"No."
Bradford Strengthened himself and opened hi
lips to speak lie was conscious fan ecstatif
5rafitude But he hesitated TO say what hat
flushed from his heart TO he said.
Instead, he remarked that he supposed his com