New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-20
MRS. KEATS BRADFORD.
XIX.
A BLUEBIRD.
Copyright; 1892. By The Tribune Associdnon

TO the fact that Sarah Kimball was not in the
woods either from being allured there or carried
there. They felt for the moment that mere
elopement defrauded them. But they fell to dis
cussing that fact and sucked it dry of every par
tice of entertainment long before week was gone.
II was understood that Sarah Kimball had made a
marriage so brilliant that that of the other futile
girl was nothing In comparison Mrs. McGee
actually appeared to become possessed of an I'M
aginatien upon this occasion. 1t became noiscd
through the neighborhood that the state of the
Queen of Sheba must have been humble compared
with the present condition of Sarah Kimball.
Mrs. Tutte seemed to rally a good deal. She
coughed less she ate more. She received in smil-
ing silence the remarks Of the Trends VINO called
to talk over the match.
Every day she would look anxieusly at Rowena
and say
You en- paint jess well here, can't you
Roweny?"
And every day the daughter would reply
YES. Just as we'll. l shall stay with you,
mother.
But she did not paint now. She often looked
over her sketches of the snowy hollow and touched
them here and there. The hollow was empty now,
save for O. few feet of snow and water which still
remained in the lowest depression.
Meanwhile Rowena had written full account
of the elopement to Mrs Sears. She had explained
to that lady why she had asked her to investigate
in regard to Mr.. Soules acts.
Il was very awkward know" wrote Rowcna.
g and asked disa greeable favor of you. Having
begun by asking favors, l continue. l shall not
leave mother even for day, at present can
see no prospect of going back TO my rooms. If
you would let your maid pack up and send out to
Inc whatever of my belongings are still there; if
you would pay months rent and give up the
rooms-you see, dear Mrs. Sears, that l make
use of my friends l have too much thrifty New
England blood to wish to continue the expense
Of keeping the apartment when have prospect Of
occupying it. In fact am tied here for an indef-
mite time. l am too thankful that / can be
here with mother But will not pretend am
happy, or even cheerful. Desoation broods over
the fields and the hills. Winter is going but
spring has not come. Do you know what it is
in the country before spring does come? When
the whole world seems to be weeping and drip
ping itself away? When everything is sad.
dened and gloomy? But this is not the way
talk to my mother. ] am looking for bluebirds-
they are late this year.
Having sent such an epstle as this away
Rowena set herself resolutely to conquer the mood
which had inspired il. And she succeeded 30 well
that her mother did not suspect that her daughter
was not cheerful. But the older eyes were often
fixed with mournful questioning upon the young
face Mrs futile, now that she more COM
Portable. had more time TO think over the many
things which puzzled her. But she asked no more
questions.
Letters came very frequently from Bradford.
and Rowena often read paragraphs from them
TO her mother.
Mrs. futile always scrupulously sent her re-
cards and hoped that the writer Of these epistes
was in good health.
Sarah X Tuttle Foster also wrote occasionally.
But she did not like to write. She was
now in Florida. She spoke incidentally of
the climate and the sand but principally OF :" My
husband" until her mother and sister felt as IL
they would almost forsgo hearing from the young
wife that they might also b. relieved from hear
ing Of the husband.
Miss Phillips also wrote. In the most genlai oil
moods she seemed to be- She had been travcli
in Southern California. but she was back ag'I
at the Listers She had idea when She should
rotrrn Eas. Ones life was so broad and full
wbere she was: but not crowded with human
be;ncs She was still tired Of human beings
Sbo did NOT speak of her cousin. She deplored 'he
foc, that Rowena had not gone with her "ouio
not she come some day
Rowena folded the missive and sat win IL III
ber hand by the small-paned window which iooHeu
ON. unon the road. She felt shut away from
o,,crvtbnc. She recalled that day when her SISTER
had refused 10 go a journey with her anu ''N
Pbillipps What if she had gone?
Her ouiet pulses stirred at the thought fer
eroers frightened on the paper they heio'
D.. bore was her place. She glanced az 'ne
~ ,rhereon her mother quietly sieeping
and the disturbed pulses grew stu again
po,ro,. had so fought against looking lnto 'ne
.,trre that now She conquered hersei q"ioHS
Oh. turned toward the wlrdow again ~
r,os No snow now. When you put your iooo W w."
an the turf in the yard the wafer ooze" up ,..a
Won stepped in the highway your 'ee' balm
in the mud. ,yhun tho frost
.... orce really out the gravelly roads were so'n
tord II was getting so ii did not freeze nights
po,ro,s vou know what hopeful eifect .hao law
So. Tbare was strong southeast wind thraehi"s
.ho s,snder branches Of the elms about anu iidN'e
Tho TWO mines across the way bend ana n'o"'
A. powena gazed. with her forehead ieaneo
AGAINST the window pane, something iho''ns o%n
into her line of vision. In moment SIC 80" ' va"
Tho something was woman WIN oo
nod a shawl on her shoulders and a mana at ea0"
side holding up her skirts. f., coor,;s
In another moment she recognizeo "'pis'
Townsbend. who turned into the yard ana houuo'
.nd smiled at her friend. Rowena NODDED anu
lid aIso She rose and noiselessly left the room
she passed through the entry she asked her Ssd
q Young jim could have cut another too'h' on'
,r;.d 10 brace herself for the recital Of every Syp
tom attending that function .
Big Jim was jes' settin' in the house. y
Thought I'd come over little while n le' "''a
tnnd 70 the baby" explained George as she SAT
down in the rocker Rowena drew forward ior NV :
II s'poee your mothers bout 50 Y? oes'ND'"s -
unwind her cloud.
yes / almost begin TO hope she ID D1,''l
"Now don't be too much encouraged np"s
III h. IN awful down il she amt better
~. moan N look on the dark side. Seems
IN mo YOU'RE kinder pale, amt YOU"