New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-06
MRS. KEATS BRADFORD.
".
THE TowNsHEND BABY.

unhappy a. S'N CIV " e
. that way.
Ty,ouph her words sounded somewhat unfeel-
- ,be eyes and tone of the speaker were almost
...aer. She reached forward and moved a chair
~ near her own. Her cousin came and occupied
:. She contemplated him for a while in silence.
=. Cor him, he contemplated his boots and waited
tor her to speak.
The silence lasted long time,
sIt is very ungracious to say now that never
,.I;,ved in it, she said, at last.
Don't mind my feelings, he responded. BE
s,vracions if you wish TO be. Never believed
in what?'
I'm YOUR marriage Perhaps it will be good
,,,,snt 10 tell you that Allestree said, when he
lard Of il, She has flung herself away
.Oh. that remark has lost it's sting. He told
-. that long ago. He was so good as to explain
that he had no reference TO me as a husband, but
,rly to Mrs. Bradford's career as an artist He
,aid that it was utterly absurd for a married
woman TO try TO be anything other than wife.
think he INDUCED in an oath when he said that
remarkably promising painter had been lost when
Mss futile married me- / was so weak as to
,.sure him that Mrs. Bradford should be free
% continue her career. He laughed at my re-
mark and used another oath. You see he was
very frank with me. That was Immediately after
the marriage. Don't restrain any words you would
Ike 10 make use of in reference to me as o hus-
hand and as a man."
Bradford leaned back in his chair and clasped
.s hands behind his head. He was so pale, and
there was such wretched look in his eyes that
MS smile and his words seemed extremely out of
keeping.
II think YOU have been perfect husband,
r..+s said Miss PhilIinns earnestly
THANK you. I suppose, then, it is the imper-
feet husbands who get loved"
DO you mean that she does not love you?"
sShe loves me in q way. l think she is
rood deal attached TO me-"
And yet" began Miss Phillips, and then
paused
Go on"
That she could love- those eyes declare she
ruoted with deprecating smile.
Il do not feel equal to finishing the quotation"
ssid Bradford.
His companion sat with her hands loosely folded
before her, her eyes apparently fixed upon some
tiing in the past. Bradford continued in the same
attitude.
Il know her well enough'to know it is not be-
cause she is cold. She is not cold. She might
be lovish You remember il was / who"
Miss Phillips paused and there was even
faint hint Of color in her face.
Il remember perfectly" he answered.
Now there came another long silence. 1t almost
appeared as if Bradford had not called on his
cousin for the purpose of talking
Il did not know but that you, being a woman,
might be able Toto"
II was he who now paused in the midst of
sentence. But he stopped as if he had finished
bis phrase.
Did you think / could give you some advice ?"
Possibly And then you know Rowena so
well She loved you so. ! am always Inundated
when think of how she loved you. And, you
Sc such love was no drawback 10 her ife-work.
il made her very happy"
Bradford spoke these words with great effort,
but he was evidently determined to speak them
BE had hopeless air about him that appealed
very strongly TO his kinswoman. And the memo
nes his words brought appealed to her also,
Il can't advise you, she said. " If ] did, what
would you do? just as you please. You see
Rowena really is what she seems to be, and will
confess TO you that women are not always that.
They deceive themselves consciously, or other
wise They like to absorb themselves in an idea
Dr. in marriage; some of them keep up the farce
good while with a change of idea. 1t isn't
farce with Rowena. What do you mean by say
ing she could not endure it any longer? She
didn't tell you that?'
@Oh, no. But felt it. And her JOY when
suggested that she go home was like knife
thrust. She saw it and was ever after tender
ness itself j am sure she is very sorry for me.
But somehow man does not enjoy having his
wife pity him. Do make myself very entertain
Ing to-day, Vanessa?'
Bradford could not keep his seat any longer.
He rose and again began walking about the room.
After one of his turns he stopped before her.
You know I've never spoken on this subject
before. And / don't intend to keep on whining
TO you Do you think they have any love philter
in these days? You have dipped into a good
many things, Vanessa You ought TO be able to
tel man how 10 win his wife. Is there any
thing in the faith-cure. for instance, or any of
those fads of yours. Come, help fellow, can't
you?a
Miss Phillips attempted to smile, but her
heart was aching for her cousin.
Have you ever tried being morose, savage,
making her afraid of you ?" she asked
Beating her, for instance?" he responded
No, haven't / haven't even experimental In
jealousy. / haven't admired some one else ior
tAe purpose Of subjugating Rowena' l know that
prescription much used in novels But shall
not Try it, I've been tame, devoted husband
DON'T" exclaimed Miss Phillips.
Don't be tame? Perhaps ! can't help IL.
tel you, Vanessa," with sudden break into
'ehemenee, Il have suffered; do suffer
At these words the lady rose as if impelled by
tem.
II could only do anything" she said.
But you can't. ! knew you couldn't. Still,
you see, being a human being endowed with the
power Of speech. j was seized with desire to
spsak to you, only to you. There's your Robert
Sonle can go over to America and call at Middle
Village
Miss Phillippss eyes sent out sudden sparks
lie is not my Robert SOule, she said, though
like the man well enough.
Our Mr.. Soule, then. Let US share in the
Possession. / envy him that he is going to cross