New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-14

Nlarmaduke had established himself silently on her
skirt as it lay on the floor. lie now rolled of and
stretched. She picked him up and went into the
| kitchen.
The boys had gone t. bed Narthy s. sat at one
| side OF the stove with her feet in the oven, and
Sarah kimball sat the other side with her feet in
the oven. This was tic old-fashoned cook-St)ve
which is not a range and which has two oven doors
This arrangement rs regards oven doors seems pc
| culiarly convenient in the winter in the country
where the placid act Of sitting with your feet in
the oven becomes a positive luxury. II is almost
the only time when YOU are not in bed, when you
are really warm enough. This position acts upon
womanknd something as smoking acts upon man
kind
Sarah kimball and the dressmaher were now
converslng in the most amicablc manner about
round waists and basqucs and what Miss Hancock
called passymentcrry,' and skirts with folds at
the bottom and skirt, without folds.
Mafthy :. had just confessed that she had not
yet got the knacl Of cuttin' = bell shapel skirt
She knew bell-shapcs much worn
In the amiabty Induced by having her stock
inecd feet in the oven and her skirt folded back
over her knees Marhy s. smiled at Rowena as she
entered, and told her to draw chair right mp
Then she informed her that if she had known Jest
how Mis-. Bradford had ben situated in Borston she
might have visited her doorng the first of tho win.
Ter Bnt now, she went on, Il don't s'pOse |
shall. ! hadn't heard whether YOU had a spare
room or not
Kowcna tried 10 say something hOsptabe, but
dld not succeed in any marked degree Sic had
never been very successful in what might be called
conventional lying.
But the drcssmakeT was occupied with her own
thoughts and did not notice any lack Of cordiatv
don't s'posc, she said, you've heard nothin'
special?7
She looked at her companions in a simpering con-
sclous sort OF way
No. answered Rowena. "you know we've
hecn away
And your mother amt written nothin'o-
don't recall anything replied Rowcna, try
ing IL seem interested
Sarah Kimball now began to have a tantaliz
ing expression on her face. She had recalled
something if her sister had not
Mis- Hancock bridlcd visibly now She hoped
She was blushing. She put her hand over her
face. She pccrcd between her fingers al the
Others
What is it ." asked Rowrna, encouracingly.
I'm thinkin' Of changin my condition. said
Marthy =. in a weak voice
1t was only by an effort that Rowcna was keep
ing her mind specifically upon the subject II
1ollo"cd lhcn that She seemed and was very
dull
Your condition." she repeated vaguely
what goose you are" exclaimed Sarah
Kimba laughing noiselcssly
After much thought and prayer on the sub
icct, Two fnally made mp my mind" Miss
Hancock spoke very slowly. She was like one
who rolls sweet mOrScl the tongue. She
was eager 10 tell her news. but she wanted 10 be
as long as she could in the telling.
oh" said Rowcna.
Z" | have finally yielded 10 Deacon Ropcrs per-
suasions.' announced the dres-makcr She put
both hands over her face. She continued In a
smothcre1 ;onc that she hoped II WIS ordered
for the b'stT
Il Congratulate you,' gravrlv responded
Rowens. She glanced as She spoke warningly
at her sister.
Providence seemed TO lead in that direction.
remarked Marthy s.
Providence generally docs lead in the dr'c
ton Of widowcrs,7 said Sarah Kimball, flip
PANTY.
But the drcssmakcr WINS too much elated 10
care for any Hppsncy.
Il told your mar, she said. that hers would
be about the last work | should probly do before
tbe-thc Event