New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-20

Sick folks have so many notions. you know. I've
ben feefin' all the tim. sence I was taken that I
shouldn't git up May hill Now. don't cry. dear
child Dear little girl!o
For Rowena appeared have lost the self-con-
trsl which she had thus far maintained while in
her mothers presence. She had turned suddenly
away and covered her face. She stood motion
less. She was half sufrocated by the sobs She
would repress
But Mrs Tuttles eyes were dry. She reached
forward and took hold Of the skirt Of Rowena S
gown
You know, she repeated. sick folks JEST
as notionals they en- be- There was old Miss
Roper was bound she'd got darnin' needle in
her inside, n couldn't live a month. | can't
say but she did have a darnin' needle into
her; if she did, twas real healthy for her. for she
lived thlrty-fve years after that. N ninety
three. She did stick 10 il bout that needle. m
she gave special directions as to her funerl Now.
Roweny, p'raps I've get jes S much sense Is she
had"
Mrs. futile talked on in that weak. hollow
chested tone that is hard 10 bear when it comes
from one beloved. She was smiling now. but
she meant to say this time what had beer il her
mind to say.
You must make up your mind TO hear me-
right. I'm kinder worried bout the boys
don't feels if | could depend on Sarah KimbaD.
| can't depend on anybody but You. Rowcny."
Rowena still had one hand her eyes. She
was sitting on stool at her mothers feet
and close 70 her. She was entirely quiet
You depend me. mother she said
"Oh, / know that" with long, quivcring
breath
Soon she went on
The schoolmaster fore this one told me- that
Nathan Henry could do most anything with mathe-
maticS. if he had a chance You know how he
likes his sums"
He shall have chance intended that"
81 guess Martin'd ruther farm it n anything
else"
Il think can arrange with the others that he
shall have this farm"
There was silence after this. Mrs. futile
looked ntenty down at the figure at her knees.
Two three times she essaycd to speak. At last
she said
Il spose YOU have plenty of money!"
Plenty. And even if Keats were not so lavish.
can now earn money"
Rowena suddenly sat upright Her eyes were
hot, but her face very pale. She looked up
at her mother She made an unconscious gesture
Of piteous cntrcaty.
Don't ask me about myself. Even 10 you can't
talk. And never, never blame Keats II you
die You can, perhaps, look down from Heaven and
see into his heart You will SEE how noble il is
how-oh,"
The thrilling voice abruptly ceased.
The two women looked into each others eyes
for an instant. Then Ms. futile leaned over and
kissed her daughter.
Mothcrll always love you." she said; If
die l shall love You Jest the same
Very soon after she said she would lie down.
She felt sleepy. She suggested that Rowena go
into the kitchen. She asked her 10 that
Mrs McGee didn't git 10 her whskev bottle
and she wanted the little dog 10 come and lie on
the foot OF her b"d.
Marmadukc nosinp about in the yard The
departed snow had revealed great many bones.
and the Yorkshire intended 10 find them all be-
fore the bull terrier could succeed in the same
pursuit But Marmadukc trottcd checrfuly in.
allowed his feet 10 he wiped, and then entered
Mrs. Tutte's room.
Mrs. Tuttle smiled from her pillow at her
daughter when the latter had arranged her com
fortably. She glanced down at the terrier. who
was sitting on his launches waiting for his
mistress 10 leave so that he might settc down
for his nap.
Hes lot Of company" said Mrs. futile. "Ill
ring nv bell when need anything"
Rowcna left the room. She sat few moments
in the rocker by the kitchen window. She
continually telling herself She is certainly bet
ter But tomorrow ! will send again for that
doctor from Boston. Though II" said she needed
no medicine only nourishing food and watchiul
care
She said just these words over aud over until
they lost all meaning for her She caught her
s,lf saving them aloud and wondering why She
did 50.
After a time she put on her mothers old shawl
and cloud and went ont into the lane which led
from the BARNARD. All the farms nearly had
lanes leading from the barnyards. This one went
down into a meadow over which her father had
laboriously built bridge and there it climbed
into an upland pasture.
Rowcna walked briSlly. She was glad she
had taken her mothers shawl and hood. She
liked TO have them wrapped closely about her
She stroed on until she had gone to the utmost
limit Of the pasture Buf she came back very
ouckly. II seemed 10 her that SIZE had been
gone tao long ,
Has mother rung - she asked MS she opened
the door into tho kitchen. .-,
No. - said Mrs McGcc. ." | guess she's havln
a fit-t-rate nap cnll her better But the little
dorQ whinrd a minute ago.