New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-06

"oh," she exclaimed, "was it you Nick was
S'DO you mean the parrot'' asked Matthew as
soon as he could speak.
"of course. You did not think 1t could be any,
Come Come in, won't youP My sister hns gone down to
the postefioe but she'll soon be back ., ar
II thank you began Matthew, formally.
/ brought, that is, my aunt sent-this."
| lie held out the can
PURPLE pums, aren't they ?" cried the wOmn y,
delightedly. "lve been wanting some plums SO
much. Do come in aud open the can for us.
don't believe we could ever get that cover OIL witl-
She stepped back. She beckoned to Matthew to
follow her. She led the way into the Kitchen
hmpng as she went.
Matthew walked on behind her. his eyes fixed
on the figure before him which, though il limped,
yet had what seemed TO him kind of airy grace
entirely unlike anything be had ever seen before.
And she had not spoken stifiy as everybody spoke
TO new acquaintance about here. lie had not the
Least idea , as TO her age lie had no very distinct
in different sphere all at once.
His conductor stopped at table in the kitchen
| and turned 10 him.
pluns turn out to be nice perhaps you'll stay and
nave supper with us There are some biscuit
rising l was to watch them while Esther is
gone"
She went TO a chair near the stove and lifted
towel from pan. there. She turned the pan round
Matthew saw bow white her hand was She looked
| up at him and smiled. lie felt as If he must say
something.
II guess you'll find the ,plums are good, fast
|
ease and interest in his speech.
| i suppose you think they're good because you
know who put them up" she said, replacing the
Yes, indeed" he replied You wouldn't
Setch Ruth making any mistake in canning"
| Who is Ruth?" The question was put with
the interest born of the ciTcumscribed knowledge
| of an invalid
Ruth? Why, she was one of my wives
Matthew gave this answer in such haste that
he hardly knew how he had worded it.
Then he blshed burning red. lie saw the
smile on his companions face in spite of all her
She, moved quickly and again. and with great
care, looked at the biscuit in the pan. The man
imagined that he saw her shoulders shake lie
wanted to run out OF the room. But he held
himself to the very spot on the floor where nc
stood, After what seemed long silence, he asked,
Amt you got q can wrench?'
The woman turned now She was very grave
She told him that they had no wrench; she was
afraid she was troubling him too much. He must
excuse her; she was so used TO making people do
things for her; size was sure she was very incon-
siderate.
Here she made little pause before she con-
tinued.
But you see I hardly thought of you as a
stranger. I've seen you go by the house great
days I've nothing to do all day bat look from
DS vSe '% Pf SS' wES9 se Stf 0s sos
Matthew Bells face frightened
YES" Yes the colt otis, is beauty If do say it, And
Mr. Bell could not think of anything to say.
He took up the of plums and put his muscular
brown right hand round the cover. He gave it a
twist and the cover came off.
What thing it is to have strength" ex-
claimed his companion.
Matthew now moved toward the door. He said
be must go. He said he hadn't intended to come
in at all
She stood leaning against the table He won
dered confusedly why he was so pleasantly aware
that she was looking al him. lie walked halfway
along the narrow hall through an open door he
saw into what must be the stting-roOm. There
seemed to be pictures in it, and books and it was
not prim. He paused and looked back. a daring
thought came TO him; The thought was so daring
that it almost made him tremble
d" Are you able to drive Out?" he asked Il
should think it would do you good to be out
doors"
= think I'm able she answered.
Wont you let me come with the colt some
nice day and take you out?" he asked in rather
an unsteady voice.
, oh, how kind You are" she cried, her eyes
shining. but it will inconvenience you too
much!"
, delightedy. Il shall take time when
amt too busy Mebby I'd better hitch up into the
R bsS folks ci g. q bpq
lot of riding"
He walked out on the piazza now, and strobe
q hy et the b tiny h, t to the Highway lie held
cribed why.
The woman he had left stood at the open door
moment The fog was drifting away. The sun
, would set clear, after all The crickets were
almost deafening, Two katydds on the maple
in the yard were quite hOarse
She leaned both hands the TOP of her cane
Suddenly the parrot fiuttered in his cage, looked
after the retreating figure of the man and laughed
She shook one hand at the bird. and then she
burst out laughing herself. A moment later her
sister. coming into the yard, found them both
laughing
You seem to be having good time," she
said.
They went in.
Where did those plums come from P' she
asked.
They came from a man who has harem"
was the answer just think, a harem right
here in New England' and she began laughing
Her sister only smiled and calmly took off her
hat and shawl She arranged the hampers of the
stove before she asked:
What do you mean? or don't you mean
when man tells you that one of his wives
put up those piuns, wouldn't you think he had
harem somewhere? Or what would Won think ?"
i might suspect that some Of them were dead.
We'll, as we are in Massachusetts, instead of
q nd perhaps perhaps your suspicion would be right;
they are all dead" The lame woman sat and
watched her sister go about the house She
continued smiling until the other asked
Well, Persis, what is it amuses you so? Was
that man so entertaining And why do you
think all his wives are dead?"
Because he has asked to drive with him
He says he has noticed that folks who don't
keep horse think lot of riding.
, For an instant Persis was conscious that her
sisters eyes were kecnly upOn her.
You need not look at me like that" she said
fretfuy.
The eyes were withdrawn
" Did you tell him we would go with him ?" she
inquired.
Il told him we would be thankful to 60
Just think how lovely it will be to be out Of
, doors and not have to walk, and walk with
cane too. ! hope you don't blame me- Esther
It's just too bad if you do! It's that tall lanky
man we see go by here twice a week. You've
seen him Don't you know we said he 10 o.
Just like widOwer; and he does. Perhaps
he'll want TO marry you, Esther You're grand
housekeePer you know, and saving, and not mean
q bit, either"
What's his name ?"
Il declare ! don't know But it's of no con
sequence Aren't the plumS nice? The name Of
the wife who put these up was Ruth. Now, If