New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-27
MRS. KEATS BRADFORD.
A PARTING.
Copyright; 1892 By The Trfbun. 1ssoc,,,,on

MIN. IN AFRAID he'll wake your mother up |
guess he's hungry"
In THIS womans mind dog was always hungry
cold faint fear came to Rowenas heart.
She did not pause TO remove overshoes or shawl
She pushed by Mrs. Niece and softly opened the
door into her mothers room She carefully closed
the door behind her.
MarmadulSe, who was standing on the pilloyv
close TO Mrs. Tuttles face leaped down and ran
to his mistress His mistress did not look at
him or notice Kim. She looked only at the bed
The woman lying there was so still Still with
that stiffness which is like nothing else in this
world.
Rowena made no sound The first swift glance
told her all. She went and put her hand on her
mothers heart. She bent her ear to her mother $
lips.
Strangely enough, she saying to herself:
How calm / am"
The dog stood dropping in the middle of the
room. He was staring intcntly at the bed.
ROwena went back 20 the kitchen
Mrs McGee will you go and ask Mrs Warner
to come here" she said
Mrs. McGee almost dropped the wood she was
going to put in the stove.
"ls your mar worse
Rowena turned her face away. She felt as if
q spasm convulsed her muscles
Il would like to Mrs. Warner as as
possible" she said.
Mrs. Niece resented this answer. But she
was moved to use the utmost haste in summon
ing Mrs. Warner, who was the nearest ncighbor,
and Georges mother.
Rowena went back TO that room. She began
to try mustard and stimulant, and all the simple
means she knew. But she all the time aware
that nothing could be of any use
She sat down by the bed and leaned her arm
on it, looking down at the placid countenance
there
And again she said to herself:
How calm l am. l thought should lose all
self-contro I am almost calm as she looks.
She felt that she was considering herself as
If she were else She even thought
that the neighbors would not think she cared
much. They would tell each other that ROweny
took her loss real easy.
Very soon Mrs Warner came hurrying In, out
Of breath. She gave one glance, then she put
her hand on Rowena's shoulder.
You poor child she said thickly.
In a moment she added Wen send for the
doctor But faint no use"
Mrs McGce was again sent over to the Warner
homestead, this time 10 ask Mr.. Warner to drive
as fast as he could TO Middle Village for the
doctor.
Mrs Warner sat down with Rowena. She was
crying and openly wiping her eyes.
WAS you with herr" she asked AFTER silence.
"No."
Rowena looked intenty at Mrs. Warner She
saw how large the handkerchief was with which
Mrs. Warner sopping her eyes. She thought
tie handkerchief must belong to Mr.. Warner
NO." she repeated.
The woman leaned forward and again placed
her large red hand her companion.
I'D ruther see We cry she said. And then
she cried more violently herself.
When she could speak she inquired:
Had she ben any worse p
mo. She had seemed better. She said she
felt sleepy She said she'd lie down; and she
asked to have tie little dog come in
Here Rowena paused.
In a moment she went on.
II called Marmaduke. Then l walked up the
lane went to the top of the pasture. wore
mothers shawl and hood. / felt as If Id Ike
% wear them---Oh, God! Oh, God!'
The cry came suddenly and sharply
Mis-. Warner sprang 10 her feet and threw
her arm about her companion, who turned phndy
toward her and began to sob violently. But her
eyes were dry
There! There" Mrs Warner said again and
Arain as If Rowena were baby
But Rowena did not hear her. She was only
dimly conscious that some one was hoidlhs her
and wishing 10 befricnd her.
thoughts All the words that came TO her were
the words of that cali OF anguish. lnwardly she
cried repeatedly Oh, God"
Finally she stopped sobbing. She lifted her
flushed face and saw Mrs. McGee coming III
through the open outer door.
Marmaduke was vainly endeavoring to reach
her She absently took him IN her arms one
had a dim feeling that she should love him more
than ever. He was trembling piteously IN sym
oathy She held his little body tightly "l'n-
cut knowing that she did So wv
Sbe heard Mrs MCGEE announce that Mr.. war
n.r had already started. Then the honsekeeper
,yalked into the room and looked at that on the
bed
At wish you'd 60 away" Rowena spoke almost
r;oI.r,I,. She felt that She could not endure TO
have Mrs MCGEE there.
"yon'd better 20 out, counselled Mrs warner
mildly IN the woman Then nodding toward Rowe
ia she added: You mustn't mind her, but guess
vou'd better 20 out. I'll call you If we need ye'
NJ ucC;ee obeved But she secretly resolved that
she wouldn't forget this of that Roweny'
II s'pose You'll have 20 send a message to Sarah
Kimball- remarked Mrs. Warner. III ei' my
husband TO take it. WISH l '"o"7"' ""''
went for the doctor
Powena looked at the speaker She did not IT,
snond She turned back toward the pea again.
c. 1o.ned there with a poignant fondneSs.
Mrs Warner thought it might be just as well TO
keep talking or,
II s'pose you know where Your sister Is Z NOPE
sber, no able 10 git here time for the FUNERAL.
Roweua made Slight movement but She d'd no'
reply. ..o1,r ~ bor
N,rmadule was huddled uncomfortably IN her
lap. ,..,, ronootod ,Trs
At s,pose YOU know where She is p repeated MIS-
Warner ia, Iror
Powena made two efforts before shc sii' ''e
last letter was from Tampa Bn' 'ha' was ",''
's1N LII thnr HADN'T dccllcu