New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-29
SUNDAY
one, she should have liked above all things to


study that amanilenss.
Let the child alone Mrs. Dsrrah had said
peremptorily You would bewitch her.
Portia opened her eyes at this.
You credit me with" she began; but Mrs.
DarTah ruthlessly interrupted her,
You know you bewitch people, Portia- she
said You are one Of those things they used 20
call sirens and you really ought 10 be chained to
a rock somewhere
Here Portia lifted her upper lip in that way
which showed the tips OF ner tee'h-a way which
was not a smile.
II will be quite sufficient il am chained 70
husband. think she answered and Mrs Oar.
rah had replied with laugh that she fancicd 1t
would also he quite sufficient for the husband
Now as she stood with Saonc this little con-
vcrsation returned TO her.
Saomes face was still pale but it had not now
the pallor OF i'll health; II was of that peculiar
hue which denotes extreme sensitiveness. and the
dilatng and contracting pupils Of the eyes con-
veycd the same impression. She looked. however,
more able 70 bear this continual play OF feeling
across her Consciousness She had not now the
aspect OF an invalid
81 wanted 70 tell you something said Miss
Nunally al last. but you are so very frank about
that big man with the red face and the loose
looking mouth that you make it almost impossi
BILE
Saomc let her umbrella suddenly swing over
back and drop on TO the sand. She seized her
companion BY the wrist.
"You are not going to marry that mani" she
cried
"Yes. am"
But--but--"
Salome found a difficulty in going on. She
turned away picked up her umbrella, and stood a
little apart with it over her head. Her shining,
distressed eyes were fixed upon Portia. She was
thinking of Moore and of how she loved him. Could
it be possible that any woman least of all the
woman before her, could love Major Root? SalOmc
was ignorant of many things. She could never quite
bring horself to believe that woman could decide
TO marry man whom she did not love. She was
very simple minded girl notwithstanding the
complexty Of her character.
But what" cooly asked Miss 'Nunally.
There was, however, flush on the speakers
face and that same aspect OF the brows which had
been apparent the evening before.
Il was going TO ask. said Salomc with some
stiffness, "if you love Major Root But it is not
necessary to ask that. If you think OF marrying
him of course you love him
Miss Nunaly made no attempt at response for
some moments.
She stepped within the shade Of Saf5me's nm
brella and put her arm about Salome's waist; Her
face was so grave, so troubled, that II hardy
seemed TO be her face. The diaherc which was
often so pronounced and So charming was all gone
She almost looked old And il is not years merely
which age women. Portia Nnnally had lived five
years in all her life. She had never econ9-
mizcd in sensation, emotion. She was spend
thrift in every way. That old motto, DUN yivimus.
vivamus, had always been hers; But her rose
leaf skin was not injured, nor the lustrr OF hrr
eyes dimmcd. She possessed that rare gift OF thc
gods which enables one TO sleep like an infant the
moment ONES head is placed on the pillow;
II cares veXed and wearied her, she could throw
herself on her bed and fall into that calm ana
beautiful repose which is represented ~ coming
only TO the people with burdcaless conScleI''~'
She had come to reckon with dangerous aS,ur;
ance upon this power of rccupefatiOn she lau
hardly vet learned that the body, even though
long suffering, never forge's it- rcvcnges Ana
the preceding night she had not slept as well ~
usual - ,.,
II told Mr. Moore last evening. she now began
abruptly, that dreaded telling yon OF my en-
Cageincnt: that you were not IN" klnd OF eiti 10
to It is surprising that II should b. SO dllncut
TO finish some sentences, Miss Gerry. And then;
il is not in the least necessary that ! tell you
am going to marry Major Root ana yet ! ha o,
had for some hours morbid ccsirc to tell you
with nv own lips, and rcccive-your congratula-
tions,"
Salome withdrew herself from Miss Nunaily
arm with an involuntary movement, OF which she
seemed unconscious. But she immediately placed
herself again lose beside her a. she SAID:
II can't conceive that a woman can do sncn p;
thing. BIT then perhaps can do things which
would be impossible to you
Something in the girls manner made forua lot
get her own affairs for an instant. ,
What things. for instance she inquired
quickly.
Il do not always tell the exact truth answered
With your face, too she exclaimed " But
then don't always tell the exact truth, either.
II mean" said the other, that don't have
that regard for truth that | ought to have and and
what is far worse, don't sui'er because oil IT,
Portals eyes sparkled with delight. She said
ahc wished She had a blue notebook such "a Aunt
Florence used; Then; seeing Salomes ahnoye" IN
Saome did not know why. she had such strong
impulse 70 tell Miss Nunally about That torg"n
check To her mind it. was not h"ar When ' she
had begun to speak Just now she had fally IN.
tended to tell Of that. She did not know VIVA, h
kept her from speaking, those words II must nc
she thought, because she feared that her mother
would not ike 10 have her do so. Her mother did
not know; but her idens were very strict.
knew yoa would not approve OF my ehgagc
mcnt,S now remarked Miss Nunaly. II don't
know why should care 80 greatly wh" ,i you
approve or not, don't intend to care the least
in the world what any one thinks Most persons
will saw I'm very lucky girl. I'm getting =
trine passe you know. People have begun TO ASK
What, isn't that Nunally girl married yet ~
questioned Salome surely woman need not
think flint she must marry ,..
1T is astonishing how many things you ooh
Vcs that is true was the modest reply.
Miss Nunally took her companions hand ana
held it closely. i. Lava sbo ~
IL suppose you think you are III ioNe' BIC ~
marked.
IL know / am n.,,
"You have not shadow OF doubt? =
a. Not a shadow -,
portia flung rather than dropped the hand.
Mr.. Moore hasn't doubt. either, she said
- Rut for all that. Salome Gerry, sou two may DC
deadly tired of each other before two years arc
SaIome gripped hard the handle OF her umbreI,a:
"You make me feel "a those crows dld when tir-y
few over US the other day. and she shrah~ s'is"'-
~ as she spoke.
How was that ?"
"Oh-hOrribly." ., ...s.,, o.
Having said this, Saome gathered hcreif 10
"Of course, a marriage for what seems TO DC
love NAV turn out badly. But any other Kihd OF
marriage mist surely turn OUT s9 3el Major