New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-19
ROWENY IN BOSTON.
XI
GEORGE.
copwsoa,, 1891, BIZ The Tribune ASSOCIATION


Copyright, 1891. BIZ The Tribune ASSOCIATION
When Rowena went back the next day to her
attic on Hudson-st. she began to work ardently.
The old inspiration and love of her art burned
within her. She set at her easel, and her brush
made mo false move
And vet IL did not seem to her that she was
thinking so much Of what she was doing as of the
Browning Club, and of her friend with whom she
kad lreakfasted. That was ideal life. She
smiled as she held her brush over her palette,
choosing her colors. She chose the right colors
this morning.
She rose and walked away to view her work.
If / might always drink coffee from cup
like that, she said aloud, laughing like child,
land always have Miss Phillips opposite me os
drank il, perhaps then my work would be worth
while Can it be that am Sybarite after all !?
Can Hiram Tuttle's daughter, who was suit on
goin' to Borston.' be a Sybarite?"
She laughed again.
She approached her canvas and put a few
more touches on the face she was sketching.
She had believed that the longer she stayed
away from home the more strong would be her
desire to return to it. She was surprised 10 know
that the precise opposite might be true
This thought passed rapidly through her mind
and Immediately superseded by memories OF
recalled that Miss Phillips had quoted to her
some words of George Eliot that No list of cir
cumstances ever made happiness"
That must be true. Just now, Rowena felt that
she could be happy anywhere, that
Goods in His heaven,
ALPS right with the world"
Outside the day was balmy and delightful
The fire in the cylinder stove made her room too
warm She knew that in the orchard at home
the bluebirds and "Harry-wicketS' were singing;
that robins were hopping about in the yard; the
frogs peeping in the meadow back of the house
Also, sure sign that spring was well advanced,
men were coming up from Taunton with new
herring for sale; it was so late that the
herring would be cheap enough to buy.
AS she thought of all these things her heart
did not ache as it had done at such memories;
she was conscious only of gentle and not
pleasant sadness.
She worked all the forenoon and into the
Afternoon, only pausing to eat the chop She
broiled over the Goals.
She had actually forgotten that this was the
day of the week when Uncle Reuben usually
came in.
There was sound on the stairs voice which
she did not recognize, but which was familiar
said:
II guess en- find my way somehow"
Rowena opened her door. Somebody in the
gloom shouted:
There she is now!"
Somebody sprang at her, and Rugged her, and
Kissed her.
Its George Warner!" cried Rowena, pulling
the newcomer into the room and shutting the
door
"Of course it's George Warner" exclaimed
the owner of that name. 1--WE been ca1clatiu' on
lie for hint I fad 70
ye m guess I've done it. / told mother S soon
IS the roads got settled sh'd git chance to
come in with your uncle Reuben. M here l am
How be We, anyway"
Although George taught school and could talk
grammar" when it was necessary, she did not
consider it necessary now. She fell back upon
the dialect that slipped easily from her tongue.
She looked sharply at Rowena as that girl
replied that she was perfectly well, and awful
glad" to see George.
After a few moments of incessant talking
Rowena bethought herself that now would be an
excellent time to one of the meal tickets that
Philip had left with her. Mrs. Jarviss dinner
extended from twelve until two. They had just
time George tried not to be impressed with tbe
luxury and profuseness before her. 1t was
strange thing TO have o servant come and mention
several kinds of meat and fish to her and wait
for her to choose. AT home, if they had baked
sparerib they had no other meat. This variety
was prncely. But George not overcome
but that she ate heartily. Rowena sat by her
and was hospitabe.
There were not many now at the table, but be-
fore the two girls left while Georgia was eating
cranberry pie and wishing she knew how the
lemon pie tasted, young man came staggering
round the room and sat down opposite. He
seemed so very glad to see ROwena that George
was greatly impressed OF course it was Ferdinand
Foster. He was bedecked with his chain his
necktie to-day was not pink, but it was ornate.
He had dahodil in his buttonhole.
He eagerly told Rowena that he had secured
frst-rate seats for tomorrow night; first row in
the balcony. His aunt had put off all the spirits
so as to make sure thing of it, They'd have the
iOllest kind of time If Miss futile did not
think it wicked he would order some champagne
for supper. Would she let him order it?
"Oh, no. that would be foolish" said Rowena
"DOn't order it,"
She rather liked Mr.. Foster; he was so good
natured and such rattle; she need never take
him seriously
Just as you say, of course" he answered
But there's nothing bit wicked about cham
payne"
Georges amazement grew with every moment.
Her last morsel of pie nearly choked her.
When the two were safe upstairs again she looked
solemnly at Rowena.
Il spose," she said, that is your beau. He
dresses beautiful N he seems real pleasant; but
--' She did not know how to go on. She
went to the small looIing-glass and patted her
hair. Rowena watched her with eyes full of
laughter. George had on her best blue cashmere
gown, with imitation Valencennes about the
throat and wrists. Marthy s. had cut this gown,
and it bound about the chest and fettered the
arms, like all of that lady's fitting. But George
was conscious of being very much dressed in it.
She had even wondered what Mr.. Foster thought
Of it,
Now, standing at the glass, she wondered again