New-York tribune., 1891-05-17


listening to every word he said.
Mr. Bradford was particularly gifted in many
respects. but in none more than In the ability
to put a great deal of meaning into words that
in themselves meant very little.
For instance. he could say Thanks" with eye
and tongue in such q way that the most sensible
and reasonable girl might be pardoned for blush
ing and for remembering the moment with q
tremor But Keats Bradford not fully aware
of this power of his. 1t was only of the results
| of the process of letting himself CO." When he
| spoke and looked in this kind of a way it was
| only because he felt strongly. He was not that
sort of creature who tries experiments If
| he was deeply moved the result often was that
| some one else became deeply moved also, and
| generally in way similar.
Even Reuben Little had dim sense Of some
| thing rather out of the ordinary IN this person
| in the leather leggings. He could not. he told
| his wife afterward when he discussed the matter
with her. he could not make out as that feller"
| said word 10 Rowena all the way out but what
| he might have said himself but he vowed ii was
| the tallest and by far the most superior kind
of courtin he ever done in his life |" If he'd
| been a gal he should have jest been pleased
| nough."
And praise from Reuben Little when he was
| not in liquor was praise indeed.
Rowena. There was the third district school
house.; there the old pine tree which had
been struck by lightning and riven down the
middle of the trunk Even the horse-briars by
the wayside had different look TO them. At
the top of a hill she could sec the spire Of the
Baptist Church at the Corners. In two miles more
she would be at home. She grew silent with the
sudden rising of the emotions which had been
kept in the background.
Mr.. Bradford presently aGked Mr.. Little to
| direct him TO the hotel of the nearest village
He told Rowena he might be in the vicinity a
couple of days; in that he should call on
her, if she gave him permission. Then he rode
down cross road. Rowena was glad he was
gone. Now that she was so near her home his
presence confused her. She drew a long breath
and looked eagerly at every object; every birch
tree spoke to her in the old language but was it
as sweet a language she had thought? Was
there really hint of dreariness and desoation in
the rocky farms and the low-browed, solemn-loolS-
ing houses near which she sometimes saw man
slouching and gazing intenty at them?
Everybody they nodded at them.
Rowena knew they would all tell that they seen
Roweny Tuttle goin' long with Little" She
knew also that they would wonder among each
other as to whether she had come home lor good
or not" Delegates from different directions
her arrival was for good. There was a very we'll
defined feeling of hostility toward her plan of
studyin' In Borston." They did not understand
it. If she wanted to study, why not have her
paints and things at home? You could get real
good paints at Middle Village; and of the
stores there had for sale those thin brass disks
which some women painted daisies and panses.
Philip Barrett had long had it in his mind that
he would present Rowena with one of these brass
objects so that she might paint what she chose on
it. But he had never yet quite resolved TO do il.
To him there some mystery in the way she
thought about painting, art" as she called it.
Rowena could hardly wait for the movements
of Uncle Reuben's horse TO take her over the road
They had now climbed to the top of that long
hill, near the foot of which was the turn, and op-
posite the Warner house.
Rowena felt as if she could not stop, even for
the time necessary to inquire about George She
must get home TO her father and mother. But
| she knew she would be expected to stop. She
had asked Uncle Reuben about George. He had
said she was probably going into decline, or
falling" as he expressed it. But Rowena knew
| too well what view her uncle took of all sub
jects when be was contemplating signing the
pledge. Therefore she did not greatly heed his
opinion.
The long cart ratified tumultuously down the
| hill and round the corner.
Eunice was in the yard with an apron hastily
pinned over her head. Rowena hurriedly ahght-
ed with Marmaduke under her arm.
Eunice precipitated herself so furiously upon her
that the terrier deemed it incumbent upon him to
growl and bristle up his mustache.
While Rowena endeavoring TO return the
embrace and before she could say word about
George, young came walking slowly round
| from the back of the house. lie had his hands
in his pockets and his hat pushed far back his
head thin, reddish beard covered the lower
part of his face, leaving fully revealed mouth
! which was shaped In a way that both hand
some and weak His eyes also were handsome
and Of that light, limpid blue which frequently
accompanies sandy hair and skin His shoulders
were bent and very broad. He gazed with great
| interest at Rowena, whom he had never seen be-
fore
Eunice turned quickly to him and seized his
arm.
"Oh. jim" she cried, "she's come knew
she'd GOMEZ Now l guess George IL begin TO
pick up, don't you 2"
Il do hope so," was the earnest response. Il
d,knoxv what we shall do if she don't pick up soon
now
With great deal of pride in her ability TO per-
form an introduction, the child now introduced
Mr. Townshend to Miss Tuttle. The two shook
! hands She had a oeclueu lhpiession unaU she
shoud like linn Townshend. The troubled drawn
Iool, on his face was due, Of course TO his anxiety
po,vsna FASTENED to say that she would 90 home
nov She must see her mother She would come
rigbt over that very afternoon and sit with
| George.
AS she was about 10 climb back into the wagon
Mrs Warner hurried out rolling down her sleeves
! az she came She gave Rowena loud kiss She
said she hoped Rowenyd ID make up her mind to stay
% home She'd had real good chance to learn
to dror n paint now
Roweua could not reply to this. Marmaduke
| ,,oorod At +nam ali from the folds of her shawl.
| Tbev exclaimed at him. Mrs, Warner said she
| +hTyobt he was real cunning, but she s'Dosed he