New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-10
KATHARINE NORTH.
XIV.
MRS. NORTH'S NOTE.

Grove into the water, but she did not believe
the statement. 1t only symptom of APP
preaching insanity Hadn't she seen Colburn jump
in after the deacon? Now, if She had been so
exceedingly simple to forget that she
church member and do such deed, she shouldn't
have changed her mind and undonc it.
How does the affair strike YOU RoXy?'
Mr. North put this inquiry in the most reckless
manner.
He had no fear that his wife would reveal
what he had confessed Still, in his present mood,
he cared very little if she should do So
When Mrs North felt sure that she had the
control of her tongue and lips, she said:
Il wish you'd stop the horse, Colburn I'd
jest as lives walk the rest of the way
You can just as well ride. I'm going right
by the house
I'D as lives walk said Roxy
But her husband didn't stop the horse. lie
continued to drive on.
The woman sank back upon the seat. Her
imagination had become active that she now
asked herself if it were likely that Colburn had
secrted his razor about him and would suddenly
draw it for the purpose of cutting her THREAT
This unwonted exercise of the Imagination had
the most confusing effect. Mrs North was even
conscious that her heart beat.
Having pushed him in" now SAID MT Nor'h'
land given him a rheumatic fever-dld you say
twas rheumatic do you think I'm going to In
ouire about him? No, don't feel like 1t. I've
obeyed you tolerably well, Roxy, but guess Ill
draw the line here"
Roxy turned her helpless face deliberately toward
her husband.
aBut-but vou pulled him out" she managed
to say.
And she watched North's hands to see if they
made anv movement toward hidden razor. She
Wondered if she could jump over the wheel. She
knew she could not. She must stay there ana
have her threat cut from ear to ear. for hat
was what men did frequently with razors.
ANY way, she was glad she had always cooked
Colburn's victuals to suit him.
"Yes I pulled him out. You see, wasn't one
of these real, genuine, double-dyed villains VINO
can stick to a good thing. He was so deVihsh
provoking-and l kept thinking OF KITTY. ana
how she would be free And he was close to the
edge after we'd landed, and the people crowdlng
round, All at once, it seemed the Dest chahoc
in the world to straighten things out. Juso
crowded I'D with the rest, and l found II easy
enough to do remembered he couldn't SWIM.
And was glad of it. OF course, somebody would
have pulled him out if l hadn't. But when
saw him in the water, 1 couldn't stand It, 1t
was too horrible"
Here the man shuddered
$50 lust went after him. But if the wretch
Is going TO be sick and die because ne happeneu
TO fall into the salt water that day, you see II
leaves me with rather of. load on my MIND
Mr.. North looked grmly ahead along the ROAD
HIS wife looked at him. There was silence DC
tween the two
At last Mrs North began again to smooth her
sbawl over her knees. Her mind gropcd a1ter
..r,othino sbe knew not what She recalled that
II WAS preparatory lecture at their church that
evening and she was dimy grateful, although
she could not see what bearing preparatory Lee
ture would have on the fact that her husband
had attempted TO drown some one and had then
rescued that person.
After while Mrs North suggested once more
that she could walk the rest of the way. but
she was really hardly aware that she spoke
Mr.. North's expression softened somewhat as ne
looked at her and saw the unmls'ahaoie siSh' VI
bewilderment and suffering.
ut would be Just like him to die" he said.
Then he laughed and added, only he'll want to
live for the chance of marrying again.
~Colburn,n said his wife, l wish you wouldn Z
laugh. If he dies you'll be Responsible
hone there won't nobody find this OUT
There isn't much likelihood Of that. If he
dies.-here a solemn intensity came TO the
speaker's voice" ought TO be glad OF IT, hltty IL
he a free woman, with some hope IN the
world"
"Colburn,n said his wife. " I wish you wouldn't.
You frighten me.
But Colburn made no response to tnls rendIh'
It would require some time for him to ADJUST MS
mind TO the idea that his wife could be trighe
ened.
Whom they reached the gate of Deacon Grove S
nlace Mr. North let his wife climb out of the
WAGON unassisted. He watched her as she walked
IN the path between the smoke trees. Ana DIS
he watched he repeated to himself AS long as
they both shall live"
Then he drove on without suspicion that his
wife was afraid he had concealed a razor ABOUT
his person. .,,
Mrs. North found the Feeding Hills doctor Sc
,ecting something from his medicine chest in the
etting-room. This room already had that pecu-
liar odor of paregorc which is SO associated WIN
"old school" country physicians
The doctor paused in the act OF touching Ills
tongue to the stopper of phial
"Good morning Mrs North" he said with eN-
,,eme cbeerfulness Il hope you've brought your
daughter with you, eh? The place for VIE Is
h.. her husbands side Ell? And Grove Is gong
20 have a serious time, serious time, fear
He lifted another phial and smelled OF It's con-
tents Rheumatic fever-long winded. tedious
complications very likely. Better send Tor youi
daughter OF course she'll come now. Girls nave
whirns but this isn't time for whlms
He compounded something in a glass "hicn NV
filled half full of water. lie rose from Ills ciaii
briskly stirring the. liquid with a spoon aho
emitting at it, lie was so very cheerful as to seen
almost out of place in house where rheumatic ie>e
With combinations was present. But if doctor
;sn,t Going TO be cheerful in the midst OF illness
when will he indulge that disposition
Mrs North was glad for an opportunity 70 1
dow, away from her husband. When she has
started from home she had in mind several ex
ceent recipes OF things to do in case OF different
fevers. Now she could think of nothing.