New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-21
MRS. KEATS BRADFORD.
BEING SECRETIvE.

She seemed to do so. Sne seemed real CRAZE
full replied Marthy S. She was so absorbed in
the thought of the Event that she was entirely
impervious to any shafts the girl might send.
Amt you afraid you'll have your hands full
taking care of his Children asked Sarah Kim
ball.
II think the Lord will assist" was the pious
response.
What makes you think SOP"
Because the Scriptures arc SO rich in promises
to orphans and-and-" Marthy S. foundered
somewhat here. She went on triumphantly, how
ever. by repeating the remark about Providence
leading in that direction.
There's lot of children, amt there ?" in
quired the young girl, whose eyes sparked. and
who seemed to be determined to help the dress
maker to continue the subject as long as she
wished
six. Three grown-ups They are his first
wifes. They are all married Then there's the
second wife's They are kinder small Their
ages are ten and six and three / feel that
may need some guidance in training them"
They're girls, too, amt they? Land
guess you'll need more n guidance
Sarah Kimbal gave another suppressed laugh
you'll have TO dress-make for them with
vengeance"
Rowona was gazing at their guest She was
esking herself why it was that this woman who
had laid up few hundred dollars, who was
thrifty, who was independent, should marry that
man. The thought went with burning emphasis
through her mind. and almost Involuntary she
put the question aloud:
Miss Hancock do you love Mr.. Roper?'
The low voice penetrated to the heart Of the
old maid as things had done since she
was young. II recalled one summer Of her life
bo1 hat ha
and that some one loved her. AS it had turned
out. the some one had not loved her But sho
had had the experience all the same. II was the
one place in her ycat; about which clustered
memories which were like the perfume OF long
dead roses. II had all happened when she had
been visiting her cousin Lois up country. NO
one knew anything about il ain these parts
Now. as Rowena asked this, Marthy 5. felt as
IL the old rose petals were fluttcring and as II
she inhaled their scent. She stared almost wildly
AZ her questoner. She pressed her hands TO-
gethcr as she did so. With the suddenncss OF
lightning her contemplated marriage took on
different aspect TO her. No one had ever thought
of asking if she loved that man whom she In
tended 10 marry. No one evidently had Thought
that she. the poor old maid dressmaker, could
love.
A strange and disturbing warmth came TO her
own gaze dwelt with something almost like ten
derncss on the small, wrinklcd face turned toward
her At this moment there was no antagonism
between these two.
Rowena rose from her seat With an I'M
pulsive gesture she put one hand on the woman's
shoulder and bent over her.
Miss Hancock, she whispered, Il hope you
won't marry Deacon Roper unless you love him.
There was a silence of some moments. linen
Marthy S. rose and TREMENDOUSLY lighted sDiall
handlamp. She walked to the door and said
goodnight But she came back and said very
gently 10 Rowena:
81 do think your mar seems as If she'd DC oet-
ter to-morrer.
Then the two heard her going up the stairs
70 her bed.
Sarah Kimbal sat leaning her head on one
hand ard looking at her sister who was gong
noiselessly about the room, putting it to rights
Rowena stopped before her and said:
You may have the front room. you know
shall stay here all night
Tho eirl suddenly seized fold Of her sister,
gown.
"Oh amt you queer WHAT'S inc name Vi
the something in you, wonder?'
Rowena smiled She had not the least idea
what the girl meant. $50 10 bed" she advised.
wants anything j shall be here
The girl made faint remonstrance, buo she
obeyed.
koYena found herself alone in the kitchen.
She went TO the open bedroom door ana sa"
that her mother was still sleeping. She noise
lessly put more wood in the stove linen Sic
sat down in the rocker and leaned her head back'
At first she thought of Marthy S. and Of how
strangely the dressmalser had looked at her a
few moments ago. At last she found she was
thinking with intcntness of Robert Soule. She
had thus far resolutely kept the remembrance
away from her But now it would come; ana IL
made her lips shut tightly and set look come
to her eyes.
She was going over with unshrinking scrutiny
all those visits she and her sister had made
~ the hospital when Soue had been there
She had been very sorry for him, in way
she had liked him. What had her manner been
TO him She dashed herself with cruel qnes'
lions as the super-sensitiye, conscientious SOU
will do Yes il must have been her fault
But she had not meant it she had not meant IT,
And Keats-she suddenly started up from her
chair and stood upright, sense OF something
upbearabe upon her. She wrung her hahds To-
vether in controlled manner She could never
forget that S0ule had dared TO speak thus ana
look thus She could never forget IL. 10 not
,mie at her because she was still so young as TO
think an emotion would last forever.
When she had stood thus moment she began
to smile in sef-dcrision. She cased TO owls' hei
hands. 81
81 am behaving like melodramatic actress
she thought She sat down again. Inc ROOM
,vas only half lighted. Sometimes the sheet
iron "fireboard,. which had been placed In iron'
Of the great fireplace when the cookstove was
put up, gave low groan and rattle. as the WIND
swept down into the chimney. There were
great many sounds in the old house score OF
witches might have been about
At last Rowena fell asleep, with her heao
.ud faded patchwork quill