New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-03
MRS. KEATS BRADFORD.
VIII.
SOME HOSPITAL VISITS.

But, though she was thinking of Robert SOulc as.
perhaps, dying there, she was thinking of some
ramifcations of that subject still more strongly.
She had not seen Soules face as he lay on the
stretchcr, and what one has not seen does not cut
50 deeply But Rowcna had it, 1t the
first time in her life that she had been in the pres
ence of Death, of any of Deaths kindred. To
her. Soulc had been almost the same dead, only
that he still spOIe To her and looked at her Her
sensitive spirit deeply touched. Even her
breath was affected. She exclaimed aloud:
oh. hasn't he sister, or anybody 10 ne with
him now Must he die alone"
Miss Phillips passed her arm through her CON-
panions. The two hurried along.
lie may not die" she said and he is used TO
being alone.
She hesitated and then asked, will you come
here with me tomorrow? 1t will be only humane
for us to make inquiries.
Yes coming answered Rowena.
Miss Phillips glanced at her.
You should be more hard You always would
let yourself he played too much. Rowcna
Since am not hystercal, please let me be as
choose"
Rowena made this response more coldly than she
had ever spoken to Miss Phillips. She was quite
trenoress but she had strange aspect 10 the eyes
looking at her.
When Miss Phillips was puzzled She was quite
liable to be angry. She was conscious now OF an
impulse 70 shake the arm she held. She felt this
impulse just as if she had been some kitchen-mald.
instead of Vanessa Phillips, of Boston. Only not
being a kitchen-mad she controlled her plcbelan
desire.
The two stopped and waited for a coming horse
car Miss Phillips signaed it if she calling
ND q chariot. But there needed great deal of I'M
agination 10 make the car seem like a chariot The
woman crowded up against Miss Phillips had on
her lap q salt Goldfish which odoratcd quite I'M
mistakably: and if the odor were not enough.
the brown paper about it had become unfastened
as to the tail and also 10 the portion where the
head had once been attached No one IN the We
hcle could possibly be ignorant of the presence of
that Goldfish. The owner and the carrier of 1T was.
perhaps, the only person who seemed unconscious
of it,
Miss Phillips occupied the time in trying to
hold her breath and then in yielding to the imper-
alive demand for longer inspiration than usual.
When they left the car she said she was going 10
Rowenas rooms, for she wanted to smell paint for
a little while.
In the studio they found Mrs Sears sitting while
Sarah Kimball was showing the lady various
sketches commenting and explaining as she did So
I've been having what call real good time,
said the elder lady 10 Rowena, and If you hadn I
come Just now should soon have got through with
II was almost as fine as magic lantern show.
And I've had a good time, too, Sarah kimbal
fastened TO announce. The girl was perfectly at
Ter ease She had not been awed b. the visitor.
and she had had unusual control of her subjects
and predcates. She was in high spirits
But what on earth has happened TO you, Row
ena? You re Jest as pale ashes.
We have been 10 the hospital. answered Row
What have you been there for ?" rather severely
INQUIRED Mrs Sears. You took her, Nanessa, of
course Hospitals are in your lines now, believe
and slums, possibly
"Yes I took her" calmly answered Miss Phil
Inns she is not a baby who must not see disa-
greeable things.
There is no use on earth OF seeing dsagreeable
things if YOU can't modify them, said Mrs. Sears.
She can modify them. You should have seen
low those women looked up at her when she bent
their cots.
Rowena did not hear what said. She had
func of her wraps and standing near Mrs.
Scars's chair, where she could look at the canvas
on her easel The sight Of it did her good. She
wanted 70 take her paints and brush. She thought
She would put little more yellow into that sky.
Then she suddenly remembered how she had been
sitting on that fallen by the stream in the pic
,nrc one early fall day. And Philip barrett had
brought her his cap full of the first chestnuts Of
the season. Even then she had wished she could
vaint the ruin of the mill and that tumultuous
brook And that thousand years ago
she heard her two guests talking. Miss
Phillips was telling about Mr.. Soule, whom Mis-.
Sears did not know.
Sarah Kimball cried out soon as she found an
opportunity that must be their Mr.. Soule, and
that though he was not handsome he had "awf'll
pretty ways" She did hope he was not hurt much
Ii happened that Miss Phillips cent round WORD
that she could not go to the hospital the next day
and Rowena and her sister went, Walking ouo one'e
in the crisp winter ar
'Vbev wore told that unless some complications
arose. Mr. Soule would get it. But that
lie would have mis- patience tired Gooo deai oe''io
lie got out again.
sarah kimbaI. on their walk back, expressed
yoluble satisfaction. She could not bear to thinK
Of those pretty ways being eXtlnguisned. she ASKED
if il would be proper TO carry Mr.. Soue some Jeil
out Middle Village way jell was usually taken III
by the neighbors for any KIND OF misfortune 'n"'
was not purely spiritual
Tho neyt dsv and the next, il found that
The Girl still clung 70 her idea. She even went out
alone. unknown 70 her sister, and made inquiries
concerning Mr. Soules condition, and as to The uihe
when nc could probably absorb ell
She came back quite elated She had not only
learned what she wished know, but she had seen
Mr.. Soue.
Rowena looked at her i'll amazemcnt.
Don't do that again, she said. Sarah kimbai
poutcd. She swung her cap around Oh the UP oil
her finger. She said she guessed she knew what
WAS proper as well anybody. And If Rowena
had seen how glad Mr.. Soule had been TO see her
she wouldn't look 50 cross. And she had promised
10 90 again the next day. She was going to carry
him something, grapes or flowers for ne had said
he didn't care for jell She had asked him. JIG
was awful pale lie told her he had Just missed
crossing the great divide. Did he mean dying