New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-03

now Readers are so astutc and acute in these
days that they forcsee everything. But there has
been no mystery about this history. so no one can
hug himself because he knew from the very first
i now IL was coming out or course he knew.
| And he knows now that Bradford had not paloped
far beyond Pink Rock before he saw something
approaching over the wide plain. This something
came from the direction of the postoficc and rail
road town, and it was buggy drawn By q pair OF
| horses.
| But the rider, going on toward this eouipagc
thought very little of it, save that somebody had
| come TO visit Listers, or the next ranch.
AS il drew nearer it became pcrceptlbe that the
figure beside that of the driver was the figure of
woman Bradford drew aside. The woman,s
| face was thiciy vcilcd from the binding glare
She seemed TO bend eagerly forward. then to shrink
back, far back upon the scat.
The horse was wheeled abruptly round and its
rider appeared bending pale, brown face almost
into the carriage The driver pulled up with n
frightened notion lie almost expected pistol
| to be held to his head. lie did not know what
man who looked like that might do.
Were you going TO let me ride right on,
Rowena ?"
Bradford put the question in dry, hard voice.
lie found a difficulty in speaking at all.
There was no reply Rowena drew aside her
veil Her hand trembed as she did so. Her face
| looked thin, and white, and quiet
Bradfords eyes fixed upon that face.
Where were you going?" he asked
TO Mr.. Listers"
Z" Did You come to see Miss Phillips?n
mo-
Did you come TO see me ?" he went on relcnt-
lcssly.
Yes
There was something in Bradfords air that was
| new TO his wife. She did not know what it was.
Perhaps it was that something which had brought
the deep line between his brows, and given his face
kind of iron look
lie turned to the driver, who sat Ticking his
long whip. and waiting until this conversation
should be ended
:" Ride my horse on 10 the Lister ranch" said
Bradford, and will take your place
All right Have an eye the of hoss he's
got a devil in him."
The two men changed places. The driver gal
lopcd on ahead. During all this time there had
been frantic scratching and whining in basket
on the floor of the carriage. This demonstration
was unnoticcd until now Rowena stopped and re-
! leased the prisoner, saying
:" lie hears your voice. 1t is unkind not to Let
him greet you"
But Bradford did not respond TO Marmadukc's
salutations, though he allowed them
The horses were not told to go on. Bradford
hung the lines over the dashboard.
Rowena sat stdly in her corner Of the seat.
She was looking straight on into the sunghtcd
space She thinking of her mother and wish
ing she was dead beside her. Once in those
moments of silence that came, terrible blush
seemed TO envelop her whole body in agony.
Bradford turned toward her lie repeated his
words
You came to see me? '
Yes
There was something like terror added 10 Row
ena's other emotions. She knew the man beside
her She had known his gentlcness. his tender
consideration.
- suppose at last you were 50 sorry for me that
you made this journey You do not like 10 think
any animal human or brute, is suffering You
were sorry for me?
mo. think was mott
This is getting puzzing. If you had been
few hours later / should have been my way to
Japan"
No response 10 this.
Rowena looked about her with thought Of try
ing to escape. OF course she must in some way
have deserved this moment or il would not have
been dealt ont TO her. That was her theory. II
she could only get away again ny herself. Posi-
bly, she might fight down. in time, the memory of
this experience She would probably be very old,
however, before she could do that
"Rowena," said Bradford, You were always
truthful Tell me why you came
She Felt the justice Of his demand. She tried
to respond 10 IT, She lifted her eyes TO his face,
almost as a child might have done. She spoke
slowly and heavily.
Il wanted to see you. felt that must see
you
Why"
Her eyes fell. Again that torturins blush came
over her
Keats, you are very cruel she said
"YeS, | am" he answered but ! will not be
mistaken 1t has taken good many months for
me TO TO my resolution but having come TO
il shall live by it. | had determined never TO
see you again, unless you sent for me or came to
me- II is you who are unutterably cruel II you
have come 70 me save for one reason
Again Rowena did not speak She was under
the surgeons knife. 1t was just 1t was right
that all should be clear.
But She could not speak.
1T was because loved you that left you
said Bradford. is il because you loved me that
YOU have 10 me ?"
Rowcna claeped her hands with an unconiroll-
able gesture. Words suddenly came.
YES Yes! she cried out, IL have known for
long time that loved you, but when Mr.. Soulc
told me did not love you, then il all came TO me
how truly, truly mo, no, don't touch me yet!
have so many things to say. 1t must have been
my fault some way, that he could talk 50. ]
cannot get over that. II
"SAux?, interrupted Bradford dercely IL
knew il was In him. But it was not your fault.
Damn him The scamp! But no matter Don't
tell me thing now, Rowena, only let me look
at YOU Let me look at you
| IL was some moments later that Rowena informed
her companion, with shy little trcmor Of voice,
that size felt that he deserved that she should run
across the continent after him.
| And" she added in that light tone which Is
,l1A, r1liol Manfel 10 LII