New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-13
A WHOEVER
CONCLUSION.


,,shed he had had il vanished in the spring III
had shabby appearance. He took out the cusn-
,ons and shook them As he did so, ne renehl7
herea that il was from this carriage that KUN
WAS flung when she was killed and 1t was In TINS
carriage that he had followed her to the grave
He wished he had not thought Of such things
He was glad that his aunt announced her lnten-
lion of going after barberries as soon as the grass
was dry He felt that il would be an impossipillty
TO tell her what he intended TO do. And what
was he forty years old for if he could not 90 as
be pleased
AS he asked hinself this question he was aware
that when he had ofIeres him5,f to that WIDOW ne
had consulted his aunt on the subject lie snoulo
not consult her now
IL might be said that he MIXED his COWS In
kind of abnormal state lie was not much inter
ested in the animals, and when he found that one
of the calves had somehow escaped from the yard
&c merely thought that it would probably come oacB
all right
He almost grew hysterical as he waited and
watched in his barnyard for the time to come
when Mrs Bell should go borberrying
The grass was very wet these fall mornings.
Finally in kind of recklessness, he put on his
enormous rubber boots and skirted down through
the meadow and the birches, out Of sight OF his
aunt's windows and reached the road on the other
side of the Riddle house.
He came rather suddenly upon Miss Esther Orton,
who was hanging some clothes on line stretched
from the corner of the house to an apple tree.
She knew him directly. He wondered at the
quick sharpness and intentness of tie look she
gave him. AS for him he did not think Of her as
an individual but only as being the sister of the
woman who was lame
81 was Just going to CALL" he said, smiling
rather vacantlv Il know tain't no time to call
but thought it was going to be real pleasant and
warm"
Here he paused His companion saw him glance
over the house She did not say anything beyond
the remark that she also thought it would continue
pleasant. She hung out couple OF towels before
he was able to say that he believed he had men,
toned to her sister the day before that perhaps 1t
would do her good to go for a little ride.
Miss Orion nodded. In the silence that followed
strdent voice in front of the house called Per
sis! Persis!"
Matthew felt himself start and blush.
Il wasn't going to be very busy and thought
I'd come over and ask if you and she couldn't go
ont this morning. You know it'll come on cooler
any time, now."
Esther Orton waited what seemed long time
before she said coldly:
you're very kind MINI"
BELL" he prompted
"Mr Bell But Pm afraid it's going to be a
.ood deal of trouble 20 you"
"Oh, no." he cried eagerly. "'Tain't either.
] do wish you'd go. I'll go right back and har-
ness She said she liked the looks of the colt too
Miss Orton's eyes as she looked at her companion
almost seemed to have plying expression in them.
We'll go with you this morning, Mr.. Bell she
said.
He hurried out of the yard. AS he reached the
rad n voice from fhp piaZZa called ont.
Good morning"
He stopped and turned. There was Persis orion
hsh lying in large canvas chair. She smiled
and waved her hand at him. He bowed stif1y,
his face glowing. AS he hurried away the elder
sister appeared at the corner Of the house. She
was pulling down her sleeves.
Has the widower begun his counting so soon ?"
inquired Persis, gsyly.
Il must get ready to go to drive" was the
response. He says you like the COLT" somewhat
grimly.
And so do hope you don't think it's
wrong to like that lovely creature, and to say So
Now, let's have good time, Esther"
Persis put out her hand and stroked her sisters
cheek. But her sisters face did not relax In the
least while she helped PersiS to dress. And when
the colt and the carryall, with Matthew Bell
in his best clothes, stopped in the yard Esther said
that she was used to helping Persis and if they
would just give her time she would get her into
the carriage
She spoke in such way that Mr. Bell did not
dare to do anything but stand at the colts head
while Esther brought a cricket and at last had
Persis sitting on the back seat Then she sat
down beside her.
At first the invalid could say nothing. She
leaned back and breathed deep breaths Her eyes
wandered over the fields and bills Esthers own
face in looking at her, softened.
As for Mr. Bell, he sat sidewise on the seat the
most of the time so that he could see the pale
bright face. The colt took care OF itself
After a few moments Persis began to question
Matthew She bent forward and put her hand on
the back of the seat near him as she asked him
about his farm, his work, all with an eager air OF
interest
Esther saw the mans eyes turn again and again
TO that hand on the seat She saw his common.
place countenance light up, and his pale blue eyes
sparkle. Once she gave an almost savage glance
at Persis. Persis caught that glance and smiled
innocenty in response
They were out an hour. At the end of that
time Esther insisted upon returning.
Persls will get too tired, she said.
Mr.. Bell will take me out" Mr.. Bell dropped
the lines on the ground and sprang to the side of
the carriage. lie took the slender figure in his
arms. lie walked up the path and put his burden
In the extension chair.
Esther followed.
You are so strong" said Persis in half
whisper.
"hen Matthew stood upright there was quite
Deauhed expression his face
90 hope you amt too tired u" he said.
lhahK you. It's beautiful to be out; it paws
to be tired this way"
matthew found the colt had tramped with his
lind feet on the dangling reins.
Inc man got into the carriage, which almost
upped over, the wheels were cramped so abruptly
b. the turning.
~ was TWO weeks after the drive. and yet the
neighoofS could not, or professed that they could
not, believe their senses.
Ais''he" Bell was said TO be going with" one
OF Ine women at the Riddle house. OF course il
Eqthp Dr,,.