New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-17

The tone in which these words were spoken had
something the effect Of a singing blow on the face
1t had this effect even upon the rather tough
! specimen who heard the remarks
Katharine North did not enjoy being impoitc
and she almost frightened now at herself At
the same time she said mentally that she was
glad Of it,"
Deacon Grove tremendously raised his hat and
| said Good night
Then he walked with extreme erectness down
the road But rs he went he began TO smile
slightly under his mustache. He turned and
looked back at the North homestead. lie began
TO hum family one OF the hymns he had noticed
Katharine sing
Till thy glory
Till thy glory
Without cloud in heaven We see"
The clock in the stecple of the orthodox
church struck 0.
The door was suddenly opened from within by
woman who had glanced at Katharine, and then
looked along the highway where the deacon could
be seen walking.
Il thought | heard voices said Mrs. North.
"Who came home with you, Kate?"
The two entered the sitting-room before the girl
answered. and then the question had to be re-
peated.
Deacon Grove" was the reply. A gratifed
smile came to the woman's face.
Did he ." she exclaimed. Well, his last wife's
been dead going year. How odd you look,
Kate"
There was no response.
Katharine turned her dilated, shining eyes upon
her mother. AS the two women gazed at each
other the elder said again: How odd You look r"
Katharine took off her hat and little gray
jacket and held them in her hand.
Her mothers glance and tone hurt her in some
nexplicable way.
Has anything happened ?" Mrs North asked.
"Oh, no"
Did Mr.. Grove say anything spccial?'
He asked me 10 go with him to Lvngstone's
Corner for arbutus"
We'll. his last wifes been dead most year"
"Mother!"
What say?'
Katharines hands beneath her jacket pressed
tightly together. She gazcd into her mothers
face with a vague. piteous entrenty. Her heart
was beating painfully. But when she had looked
for an instant into tie large, good-naturd counte
nance turned toward her she did not speak the
words which came 10 her lips She moved away
TO the closet where she hung her things
Are YOU going ." inquired Mrs North. 4" But
sposc there's no need TO ask that. OF course
you'll GO
The woman sat down comfortably in the rocker
She had dim sense that she wished her daughter
would not look at her like that But Katharine
always had rather queer ways with her She
had never been quite able 10 gee used 70 them.
Ii was often a trial to her 10 think that her
daughter was singular She hoped that other
people didn't notice it. She did not really think
they did
The girl dropped her sineins-book on the top
Of the melodion. She seemed 10 be trying not 10
speak She was Obliged to compress her lips 70
keep them from trembling
Il wish you wouldn't put your book on the
mclodion, said Mrs. North. Il always have 10
take it of when ] clear up the room
Il forgot
Katharine took her hymnal and disappeared
into the back
Her mother rocked placidly.
As the girl did not return Immediately, she was
called.
katharine came and SAT down by the lamp
stand She s,udiously refrained from looking AZ
her companion, whose chair crcakcd regularly rs
il swung back and forth.
is that all Deacon Grove sad?' presently in
quired Mrs. North.
It's the principal thing, rs near as | can
remember
"Of course you'll GO repeated the elder
woman.
Katharine nervou-ly claspcd her hands again
She had known since She knew anything that her
mother never spoke impaticnty. never was cross,
and never Welded. She like large. immov-
able mass Of something in the way.
No. said the girl, e" shan't CO. l told him
wouldn't"
Mrs. North did not even look at her daughter
as she said in her cultural stoid voice
"Sho now, Kate, don't you so and be silly.
There was reply 10 this.
II s'poSc." remarked Mrs North that there
amt anything in this earthly world foolish
as a young girl. And girls think they know
everything.
Again no response
Katharine had taken up copy Of The Con-
prcpationast" and was looking steadily at II.
Though her lips were still compressed. there
was frcmulous movement in the delicate. slightly
rcccdng chin
Il s'posc Mr. Grove is lookin' for another wife, .
remarked Mrs. North.
Yes. . exclaimed Katharine hotly. I'm sure
he is Oh. he's a disaarecoble old man
She thought OF his eyes and the expression In
lie amt Old" was the rcspoinse, Ana most
hope his wives hi int think 80. said katl-
airline. Poor things wonder If they all liked
him - 8, &. .,..., .,
She spoke the word all as If ii referred TO
scores Of women. .
Mrs North rocked After few moments she
said that probably the deacon was too sensible
In think Kate meant IL when she mad sad she
wouldn't 90 after arbutus with HIM
I'm sure hc knew ] meant IT. ,.
well, p'raps We can find some way To leu MIN
know yon'yc changed your mind
Mrs. North slowly moved her mead lntli ncr
spcctaclrs shonc directly upon her daughter =
face. .,,
But haven't changed my mind
"Sho. now in gently eAclana,ory way Wy,
go on like this. it's likely as not you'll he an
old maid i,
a. likely rs not" repeated the girl.
Her eyes sparklcd as they were 'nrie" 'o""'"
I've Observed said Mrs. North, that the
Young men don't seem to take mucl no''ce Vi
vou somehow Have you notlccd 81,
wi hadn't: but now you mention it, think