New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-12


walked in at the back of the restaurant that
Joanna, coming back laden with empty dishes,
exclaimed
"You look tired 20 death, Kitty guess your
ride amt done you much good. You'll have to
pitch right in now There's an awful crowd here"
Katharine was glad TO pitch in" She thought
that she didn't care how many people came TO her
| tables.
When Mrs. LANDAU reached her room at the
hotel she flung of her bonnet and removed her
gloves with the air Of one who has something i'll
mind TO do Immediately She placed writing mate
rails on the table and sat down before them.
Then she did nothing but put her head back on
the chair and close her eyes. She remained thus
a long time. but She did not look if she were
asleep.
When at last sh" did rouse leself her movements
were decided She wrote short note
When she traced the words, Dear Sister Roxy,
she smiled satiricaly
II was this letter which Mrs. North received the
next day when her husband came home from at
tending TO town business.
| Neither she nor her husband knew the writing.
Mr. North tossed the mssive on the table where
his wife was kncading dough for yeast bread.
"You'vc got a new correspondent" he said.
| He sat down to wait until Roxy should see tit
to open the envelope. He knew she would finish
kneading the dough first and she did, with thor
| oughness and dciberation.
But she was curious to know what was in that
envelope with it's long letters making the words
Mrs. Colhurn North"
| At last she had the sheet unfolded. Mr.. North
sat looking intcntly at her.
ITS dreadful queer writing, said Mrs. North.
| Then as she made out g Dear Sister Roxy she
| exclaimed
t., Kafh yvha i
| sh like to know
Coburn rose and began to walk. lie had had
some experience as TO the time required for his
wife to read anything in writing. When she
undertook read letter it was as il she had set
TO work to decipher cuneiform inscriptions. Shc
pored, she spelled, she held the paper at different
| distances from her eyes. She tried this WORD
| and that.
| All this process seemed to be intensified now
Once she looked up and remarked that 1t was
very strange that ner sister Katharine hadn't ever
| learned to write better than that.
| Mr. North paused in front Of her
Just let me have go at II, he said, extend
| ing his hand.
| No" she replied, IL guess I'll study on it
| little while longer"
"All right said Mr. North, turning away in
| desperation. al spose, though, it's only to thank
YOU for your hospitality the other day
He left the room and went TO the barn When
he came in half an hour later he saw instantly
| dull change in his wifc's face
The letter lay open the table In front OF
where she sat.
"Weu, Colburn," she said, what do you think
nv sisters been N done now?'
| Il can't think of anything more unlikely than
that she should want 10 board with you was
| the answer.
Pooh! Don't be fool Colburn," in her
.ow voice shes been n found our Kate.
That's what she's done, near's can make our.
| The ways of Providence are past finding our, L
say
| Mr.. North took the sheet Of paper. His quicker
mind crashed the meaning Of the words written
there. His face flushed. But he controlled HIM
self
WELL he remarked coldly. She seems TO
want to take Kitty with her. She seems pleased
with the child"
MY sister Is just the same as she ever was,
said Mrs North. repeating her old assertion
Every likely" responded her husband But
that doesn't appear TO me to be the question
She wants to take Kitty for an indefinite ume'
| Practically that means for always.
The man restrained himself BY great effort.
| He merely asked:
J "Do YOU think the child will be happier?' as
| il he had been referring 10 crop Of potatoes
THAT amt the question:" replied Mrs. North
| ITS her everlasting good we must consider,
| Colburn."
Don't you think, Roxy, that we might consider
her present good little?' he asked
Besides" ignoring her husbands words. 1T
| amt for us to decide I guess you've forgotten
| Mr.. Grove"
| Mr.. North slapped the letter on the table
Io1t
He sat down violently in chair and gazed at
| his wife.
81 tell YOU. Roxy, that was the worst job
you ever did L really nope you'll i've " ''e
what you did"
"Colburn. done it for her good. If had it
70 do over again with them same lights. should
| do the same"
Colburn groaned.
aft isn't to do over again. It's done
There was silence for some moments linen
| Mr. North rose. lie picked up his hat which he
had thrown on the floor.
I'm going he said
"Wlerc?"
aWbere do YOU think? Tn going to harness
and drive over to Groves. wish the man might
be persuaded to apply for divorce
"Colburn! You wouldn't have child OF ours
divorced, would you ?"
| "Ob I don't know what I'd have
lie flung ont of the house as he spoke In
ton minutes more his wife saw MIN drive ouC
Of the barnyard and down the road
| Sbe hooked after him. Then she carefully folded
the letter and put it in its envelope
| "Mv sister Katharine is just the same as she
| ever was, she said aloud
| She remained silent for some time longer linen
she said, again aloud:
IL shouldn't wonder a grain If the child was
| kind of taken with her.
An EXPRESSION of something like suffering came
into the broad, stold face that was turned steadily
toward the window.
She rose and placed the letter in the top OF
tho old writing desk As she did so she was