New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-05
OUT OF STEP.
IN THE STUDIO.
XIV.

Mrs Gerry remained silent before the easel
She appeared to be looking at the picture reso-
lutely. But she knew that it would be dfncuit
to withdraw her eyes from 1t. She was AFRAID.
Into her strong nature had penetrated
strange fear of which she could not yet divest
rerself 1t seemed 20 her like miracle that
stranger had been able to dive into her daugh-
ters nature and then to put that nature upon
canvas.
Mrs Bradford must be possessed OF wonder
full gifts. What Mrs. Gerry would nave hidden
from all the world this womans mind had
openly displayed But what drawing, holding
power the picture had, How innocent 1t looked!
And yet there was hint Of possibilities in 1t.
Mrs. Gerry had an impulse to shield Salome from
something which the portrait suggested.
II am very sorry this has been DONE. she
said, with an earnestness that had something
of austerity in it.
You must blame me-" Mrs. Bradford has
tened to say II asked permission. and Mrs
Moore was so kind as to grant it. l wish you
would not feel badly about it. You see the
child looked so happy; ii was so lovely to meet
such a person. Do you think l did wrong?"
and Mrs Bradford could not help adding. land
do you really think have succeeded"
succeeded? Oh. yes. l wish you had not
I wish you had not thought Of this thing. i
] can't get over it,
Mrs. Gerry, with marked decision of manner
walked away from the easel, and sat down
with her back to it. She folded her hands in her
lap. and looked straight ahead of her. She was
already thinking that she had said too much
that she had displayed too much feeling
Her hostess remained for moment by the
picture, but she glanced at the woman sitting
there. Mrs Bradford was asking herself why
she was SO unusually interested. Perhaps 1t
was partly because her own girhood was
strongly recalled by something in Mrs Gerry's
aspect and manner The low-ceiled' rooms. the
fields the hills, the sky, the dear desolation OF
the country in fall ane winter. all came back
TO the artists memory with distnctness which
made her heart beat more swiftly.
She was not given to too much demonstration
but Just now she was tempted to go to Mrs
Gerry, to kneel by her side and put her arms
about her. She was dmly aware that there
must be something stirring and dramatic in the
history Of that girl whose portrait she had just
painted. She wondered If she should ever know
that history. 1t did not appear. however that
Mrs Moore knew much Of The world, or had
passed through many different experiences;
there was a touching freshness in the face,
and the outlook Of that face.
What was it?
Impelled by an increasing interest Mrs Brad
ford, rather wondering at herself, crossed the
floor to Mrs. Gerrys side and placed her hand
on the womans shoulder
Don't be so troubled" she said softly
Mrs. Gerry looked up quickly The sympathy
and the trustworthness in the face bending
down to her seemed to weaken her, as one ap-
pears to weaken when tension is relaxed. But
she tried instantly to brace herself again.
m hat frou
ble." she said. II don't know why I should
feel like talking some to you, when you are a
stranger. haven't been quite we'll for a week
or two. and I've slept poorly and dreamed so
much. That's why decided to come in and see
Salome. l began to worry about her more than
common But this must be very uninteresting
to YOU"
Mrs. Gerry opened little bag she carried,
drew her handkerchief from it and wiped her
lips carefully. keeping the handkerchief in it's
fold.
ION the contrary responded Mrs. Bradford
emphatcally. at is very interesting to me.
And don't you know one is often tempted to
speak freely to a stranger who is in sympathy"
YES" said Mrs. Gerry, looking UP, that
must he so.''
She said nothing more, though her companion
waited expectantly for a moment. Then Mrs
Bradford spoke again.
II cannot imagine Why you should worry
about your daughter. unless it be that too much
happiness always makes one anxious"
Mrs. Gerry put her hands in their black kid
gloves. over the little bag There was some
wistfuness in her eyes as she raised them to
Mrs Bradford.
II don't know what it is" she said going
back to former thought that makes me
want to talk with you. / don't have anybody
to talk to. anyway. I never thought was one
OF the kind that conided much in folks"
A sudden pang came to the heart Of the
younger woman. She could not speak immedi-
atey. But In moment she said
do you care to have me tell you that am
sure 1t is safe. as safe as for you to tell your
self to talk to me, If you feel to do so?"
The speaker was conscious of q certain cleo
trio stir in the mental atmosphere that sur
rounded them. The other did not speak for q
time. and Mrs. Bradford kept silence She
drew chair near and sat down. She had a
wish to be close to her guest Curiously the
years between her own life in the country and
the present time seemed to roll away. leaving
her girl at the farmhouse. with her heart full
OF eager, uniformed ambitions and enthusiasms
Il want to ask YOU" now said Mrs. Gerry, IF
my daughter has talked much of herself to YOU
She is rather strange about that; sometimes she
II so frank that she frightens me- She doesn't
zee things as do I've been afraid that
didn't bring her up right. Has she talked
much to you about herself mean?"
mo"
The mother visibly relieved
"she has-well, she has peculiar IDEAS" she
said after a little silence. Then with some
abruptness. Mrs. Bradford how much do you
believe In heredity?"
The other did not reply immediately" She
hardly knew what to say. She saw that the
subject was of intense interest to her com
panion At last she answered rather unsatis
factoriIy that she believed great deal in it.
but, OF course" said Mrs. Gerry quickly. 81
suppose you don't think anything short Of in
sanity can take away our responsibility? We
are put here to choose. you know. We choose
lust as we please and we have to suffer the
G.,o- h4.ic chaaa niil