New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-27
THE TWO SALOMES.
v.
MISS NUNALLY.
Copyright. 1899. Bv The Tribune Assoetaue

ner Of enunciating at other times
Il wanted 10 know, she said, :" if il is the GUS
tom to furnish meals in these cars. | mean with
out extra charge. You see," still more quickly
Il never travelled anywhere before and the porter
said"
Here Salome paused She was standing by
the seat OF that girl who had smiled at her.
for this the way that person was designated
In her mind, and she was looking down at her with
the most undsgu admiration.
The stranger had at last risen. She had i'll some
way made her morning toilet with such success
that from appearances she might have performed
this function in her own dressing-rOOm.
The blond hair lay in lovely half curled locks
on her forehead her skin In color and texture
like family tinged roscleaf; her thick, light
eyelashes gave quite enchanting appearance TO
her eyes; faint indstinguishabe perfume ex-
hailed from her If il Were part of her person.
atty; her short upper lip was raised little now
as she threw back her head slightly to look at her
interocutOr.
YES" said this girl, and what did the porter
sayP"
He said, answered Salome, that we furnishes
meals on seepers and Bullets to them that wishes"
Here she paused to laugh slightly Then she added:
81 suppose this is buffet and sleeping car, too,
isn't it?'
The blond girl had little slab fitted in front
Of her preparatory TO having breakfast placed
upon it, She seemed TO be travelling entirely
alone, and also seemed emncntly capable OF
travelling thus.
"Yes," she said again. Then she moved nearer
the window made slight motion with her hand
which glittered with rings, and said " Please sit
down here" Salome obeyed, taking her place
with complete self-possesson, but with KIND
Of shyness withal
The stranger was carefully pulling out her long
gloves, which she would not put on until after
her meal.
did the porter tell YOU that?' she asked.
Certainly"
swell the porter lied.
"Oh!"
"Yes Railroad corporations don't furnish any
thing gratis"
Rnt how stranre-I don't understand" began
Salome.
The other girl laughed. and in her laugh was
such curious and full knowledge of the world
that Salome felt like shrinking and inwardly 20
proved herself for that feeling. She had con-
seriousness that that laugh revealed something
oh. what was it'
"Of course YOU don't understand-how should
you ?" was the response. Then with sudden
ness which still was not abrupt, she asked. Twill
you tell me your name?'
"Salome Gerry
And mine s Portia Nunally. | suppose you
are going South for your health ~
Yes. But what made that porter say such
q thing to us?"
do You really want to know?'
Indeed | do"
Miss NunaN laughed again, and again
Saome had the desire 70 shrink away
but this time she also conscious of some
kind of attraction which more than countcractcd
that other emotion.
Il will tell YOU The porter told you that
because he was ordered 10 do so'
"Ordered? Well, but by whom?'
"Oh. you must guess that
Now Miss Nunally turned and gazed full att
the face So near hers. Salome met the gaze
with clear uncomprehending eyes.
We'll you are innocent
81 hone So" was the Indignant response.
"But there is great charm in ignorance and
innocence" replied Miss Nunally, as if She We're
in some way apoogizng for her companion!
If YOU want me TO explain fully | Will tell
YOU that this black man has probably been
hired by that beautiful masculine human bein-
with the golden beard, who looks rs II he hai
stepped out of some old mythology
Oh"
salome did not blush Her eyes gave one
fash she pressed her lips together and averted
her head. her gaze resting blndly upon the
country that stretched barrenly about them.
Miss Nunally looked with calm contempla-
ton at her.
The servant now arrived with the tray
bearing her breakfast
Salome rose.
Thank you," she said to the girl; but
can hardly believe it, There is no reason why
a stranger should do such thing That young
man has been very kind TO Us, but there is no
reason-not the least"
Miss Nunaly poured the milk into her coffee
But don't you know that some young men
70 about doing good just like that?' she
added "The capacity for indiscrimlnate phlan-
tbropy Inherent in some Of these handsome gods
is perfectly marvellous.
Bv the time this sentence was finished Saome
again felt that she hated that girl
She went back to her seat As she sat down
SHE inwardly asserted that what She had Juse
heard could not be possible.
But in the next moment She told Ecreh 'hao
il was true: and more than that: IT was true
that that young man had paid for the section
in the slceping-car which she and her mother
were occupying
She took hold Of her mothers arm with
shoro prjp. At the same time she bent forward
and Lifted the lunch basket
"Whv. what's the matter, Salome?'
"Nothing; only I'm going back into that
other car.
The girl rose Her figure and face were so
determined that Mrs. Gerry picked mp the bag
and rose helpcssly. But she could not refrain
from saying as she did 50:
But why-what?"
"Oh. don't talk now" Whispered the girl,
"but come"
As she followed her daughter Mrs. Gerry could
not help wondering fearfully if this sudden
whm were some phase Of Salomcs disease; and
the wild hope that there was doctor on ths
train went through her mind
At first they could not find seats IN that