New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-24

Roxy North was one or the many people who
believe in an overruling Providence that acts on
d" their side" but never against them
knowing that her husband would. on Hates
arrival discover that she had been written 10 that
night at supper Mrs. North casually remarked
| that she should some expect Kate the next
day"
| Mr. North laid down his knife and fork with
movement that did not promise tranquility for
the next few moments and that forcibly
minded Roxy of concealed razors
What do you mean by that2" he asked
| loudly.
Il said should some expect Kate tomorrow.
Il heard what you said. Now I want TO know
what you mean"
Mrs North continued to chew her bread. but
she did not she would have expressed it.
sense the taste Of it much
1t was as chat in her mouth.
Il thought" she said. that there was a
Providence in it,"
A Providence in what? fcrCcly
In your pushing tie deacon into the water,
| n his having fever. ! fclt's if twas q means
| of DRAWN husband n wife together"
| $50 YOU wrote to Kitty. And you played on
my being a guilty wretch: and you think this
| will make her come home? BY George. ~
Mr.. North violently from the table. lie
wondered what his wife would do next. and he
felt as helpless a puppct in her hands. Should
he not dance if sne pulled the strings? And he
going to live with her year after yca-. lie
| thought erimly that they were both tough.
and would last a good while If il were not
for his daughter he did not care how subsequently
he crawlcd. lie hal crawlcd all his life. And
to what would a little temporary rebellion
amount?
1t was rather singular that the fact that he
ipto hc
while Mr.. North regretted the act. should still
| give him a sense of power and rejoicing. lie was
sorry he had done il, but he was glad Of It.
| And he was keenlv aware that his wife was
| struggling with something like fright concerning
| him He was glad of that too.
| There was. however, always the possibility
present with him that Grove would die in this
| fever. In that case would he not pay great
price for Ktty's freedom?
| And his wife was tornenting Kitty again.
Why hadn't Katharine Llandafr taken the child
| to the uttcrnoSt ends Of the world
He would tell her she must take her. lie
would go to Nantasket the next day that he
might tell her He was sure that the Katharine
| Hillard whom he had known would do that
| much
| Oh. il was a weary life to live.
| While Mr. North strobe. about the room under
| the influence Of bitterness unspcakable, Roxy
| continued calmly biting into her thick slice of
| bread She ALWAYS wanted her bread cut in
| thick slabs
At last the man stopped on the other side of
| the table lie smiled with some triumph az he
| said:
II guess you've got your match, Roxy. You
! see your daughter has come upon the rock in her
| character. Oh, | guess you've got your match.
| And Kitty has some brains, too"
Mrs North spread her butter more evenly on
her bread She said she hoped she should he able
| 10 make Kate see that she'd better do what she
| could to help Deacon Grove get well. Just for her
fathers sake She reckoned the doctor would
advise that everything should he tried. The
| doctor had already advised that
| But at this stage Of RoXy's talk she was inter
| rupted by forcbc remark from the man look
ing down al her from the other side OF the table
"Nowiust sec here minute, Roxy; I'd rather
| 90 through Feeding Hills and tell every man and
woman in the place that pushed the deacon into
| the water than to have Kate 90 there and help
take care Of him. Can you take that in, eh %
Here Mr. North thrust his hand into his right
hand trousers pocket exactly as if he were going
| 10 pull ont razor.
Roxy rose in n hurry Having the idea Of
| concealed razor firmly in her mind il was natural
that the woman could not get the idea ont.
| As she stood up behind her chair she wondered
| for the first time if Colbum ought not u be put
| in an ASYLUM She wondered if she should have
| to see The @clcctmcn about him But he was one
Of the sclectmen himself She might be obliged 10
see the others
This idea was dreadful to her. but it had
| powerful fascination also.
| If il should really become necessary 10 put Col
burn in an asylum he wouldn't be held responsible.
And she could perhaps make Kate see her duty.
! But nO-if Colburn were not responsible. Kate
wouldn't feel OBJ iged-hcre the woman's slow brain
| began 10 grow cloudy and bcwildcrcd. She didn't
| understand why she, exemplary She had always
been in every way: should be tried thus
| "Colburn, began Roxy, but her mind was as
stiff as her lips and tongue. She could not frame
a sentence worse she did not know what kind of
sentence she wished 10 frame. Mr. North turned
and walked out to his retreat. the barn. Mr.
North began 10 gather mp the dishes from the table
She always remembered that morning because she
went 10 the salt box and filled the sugar bowl
| from that receptacle.
| Tho next day, before Mrs North had dared to
expect her daughter the depot carriage drove INTO
the yard At that moment her hands were IN
nan Of Dutch cheese into which she was manlpn-
latng some cream and salt.
! She seized a towel and wipng on the curd aS
she went, She opened the screen door and walked
| into the yard
| Katharine was Just sprnging from the step Of
| the wagon Even in that moment and with her
not too keen perceptions, Mrs. North was aware
| Of some change in the girl. What was II?
| BIT she had come. That was the main point
! The mothc~ advanced and scrupulouSly kissed
| her daughters left cheek as she had done when
| the Girl had left to tend tables" at the shore
IL guess you got my letter." said Mrs North
Eyes. did Where's iather?'
Il d know | guess he's gone TO the corn
| field We didn't know 5 you could git here TINS
| time of day. What! Did your aunt come ::
| For now Mrs. LANDAU began lclsnrely 10