New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-29


stirring Of something in her soul. Was it the
! mysterious power Of kinship?
But really and truly Mrs. North knew she did
not want her sister to stay. 1t would be great
trial to her if Katharine should make her visit.
Ard must she ask her to do SO?
She was revolving this question in her mind as
| her guest arranged the horse
| Mrs LANDAU turned-and her face showed that
she was not entirely calm. Her early years were
coming back to her too powerfully. And what
| the strength Of kinship to her?
Take in your rhubarb, Roxy she said, I'll
stroll about the yard for minute You know
| haven't seen this country for wears"
Isn't it rather odd that you thought You
| wanted to come out here ?' asked Roxy, pausing
before she turned toward the house
YES; | suppose So" was the answer
She did not think it worth while to tell her
| sister that girl she had seen at the shore had
made her think of Feeding Hills Roxy would
| not understand that.
Il guess I'll go in and be cutting this up,
said Mrs. North. looking down at the contents of
her apron. And you come soon's you get ready"
Yes; in few minutes"
Mrs LANDAU walked TO the back Of the yard
and leaned the fence which separated the
yard from the moving. She looked about her.
She did not remember this house at all; but that
building at the right Of the moving, that was
the old Damon place. surely.
Trees had grown where she remembered only
saplings; trees had been cut down still feature
| after feature became familiar to her.
She saw two appear in the Damon yard.
They talked to- ether. Then one walked along
path in the grass and presently appeared close to
her side
lie had the snath Of scythe over his shoulder.
1t was Colburn North. lie quickly put down
the snath. His first thought was always of his
daughter
Now he stepped still nearer.
These two had not met since that time when
he a teacher and she grown-up pupil over
in the Brantford Academy. He had not known
Roxy then.
For one instant the man and woman looked at
each other two souls might look, entirely una
ware Of the presence Of any feshly encumbrance.
Then Mrs LANDAU extended her hand. She
did not smile, however
It's Colburn," she said
Katharine he responded. The two shook
hands.
lie took Of his hat and held it as he remarked
This is a great surprise. But should have
known you anywhere"
And / should have known you. Though
was not expecting to see you here"
Mr. North smiled rather consraincdly.
=" Not expect TO see me IN my own nome ne
said.
But didn't know this is your home l came
to see Roxy
The man made visible effort.
81 married Roxy"
He looked off down the meadow.
Did you? l didn't know"
A silence Then she went on.
Il did not care TO hear anything from home.
| was afraid should hear. And then, after some
years. found that what interest had was almost
gone"
Il can understand that
Time rules us ALL you know the sentimental
poet says And it's very fortunate thing that
it does You look prosperous here. I'm sure
Roxy makes the best kind Of housckccper. She
never nags at you; and she sees that you are
| comfortable?"
YES. indeed, -" said Mr.. North. She is an ex-
cellent wife"
Yes. And you are to have rhubarb sauce or
Die. for dinner. You like rhubarb?"
Mr. North smiled
VERY much-and you will have dinner with
US? I'll put up yocr horse. OF course you've
seen Roxy"
Certainly And here she is now
The two were walking toward the house. Roxy
appeared at the back door. She had decided to
ask her sister cordially to stop TO dinner she
didn't see how she could so any further than that
1t was Of no use trying TO make believe to
herself that she could get along very well with
Katharine.
or course they wouldn't quarrel; she herself
never ouarrelled with any one. But she rcmem-
bered Katharine's Outbursts when they were
vonng The two sisters couldn't get along to-
gether. that was all. or course 1t was really
Katharine's fault.
Mrs. LANDAU felt as il she were IN uIe'h
for the next few hours.
She sat at the table and talked. She supposed
she ate. though she could not tell aficrward
She asked questions about everybody she could
,hinl, OF whom she had once known, aud koNy
answered, glad 10 give all the details she coud.
Mr. North said very little. lie was aware
once that his wife's slow eyes had dwet for
long moment on his face The knowledge OIL 'hls
made him strongly indignant
lie scarcely looked at his guest But he
sbo,yed that he listened TO her. OF course Mrs
u.ndog talked well She would have said that
- wao her business to talk, ana that she ought 10
| do it well.
PINT both her hearers remembered the old times
| when some moment of enthusiasm wonld uhioosc
| the GIRLS tongue and she would theh oeco'nc
unconsciously eloquent, eyes and chceNs burning
A. such times Roxy had wished she wouldn't
| IL wasn't like the other folks in Feeding HIS
| TO be like that -,.:
When her sister had experienced reision' OF
| thouoht that she had Roxy recalled wi'h wha'
strange fcrvor and power Katharine had spoken
| in mec,'n.n The mother had always been AFRAID
her daughter might do the same thing and she
had been grateful that she had not done 50.
Roxy made a great effort to talk Oh. one was
afraid Of every silence, lest Mrs. Liandan ms"'
| mention a subject she DREADED. But IL Was sure
| to come A.,
| ~You have no children, Roxy? Or are 'heS
| r,.d and zone? Such things make us feel
| en- old $50