The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-08-03

c-a%&y&e<AAA' q II a e
esn~> stone house, all
overgro n
N with woodbine
that has turned crimson with the first
autumn frosts, and standing all alone
IN the leafy wilderness. And beauti-
full woman. dressed in white, with the
face Of a young girl and the silver hair
of an aged cYone, sitting on the step,
with her lap full of ferns and mosses
and autumn leaves. And think, Ru-
pert, she must be crazy, for she looked
at inein the oldest way, without an
swering, when spoke 10 her"
~ dare say, my dear, its some old
woman out nutting," said Mr.. Towers,
a. he pared one Of the great crimson
checked peaches that were piled in a
basket on the table and flanked by a
glass pitcher Of cream.
II shall go, then, and sketch the
place tomorrow, IL have time, said
Mrs. Towers, enthusiastically. ~ never
regretted anything so much in my life
rs that hadn't my portfolio with me
this afternoon"
The landlord, who had Just brought
In a big log Of moss-fringed wood for
tho open fire, looked at the landladN
who was brushing crumbs off the
lavender-scented tablecloth. The
landlady hooked back al her husband.
WITS Barbara" said he.
'Of course it's Barbara" nodded She
ss- ssAad who, sssay.I venture to ask, is
Barbarap" questioned Mr.. Towers.
s'Superb peaches, these, my dear"
WELL sir everybody hereabouts
Knows Barbara" answered mine host
"She's been crazy these ten years"
II thought 50" said Mrs. Towers.
"'fcor thingl Aud why do they let her
wander about at large?"
"'0h. ma'am, she wouldn't harm
fly" intelposed Mrs Wedderburn; ''and
she can't breathe free inside Of four
walls, can't Barbara. They did put
her into the asylum one while, but she
pinned herself TO death there. She
wouldn't ha' lived six months, the doc
COR said, if they hadn't took her out
again"
Then she has not always been in.
sane?"
'NOh, bless your heart, ma'am, no.
Ten years ago she was the brightest
pattiest girl in all the country. She
used to come here summers, when the
house was full of boaiders, and help
around. Everyone liked Barbara
'But what was it that destroyed the
poor things mental balance?' urged
Mrs Towers
The landlady drew her chair up to
Che table.
IA ssxlA gMake bold TO sit down, 1ma'amA,
and tell you all about it," said she
SIT made a good deal of talk hereabouts
sAS the time, and it always will as long
as Barbara wanders around the old
powder-magazine in that queer dress,
mSth the flowers and autumn leaves
and wild berries in her hair"
ut is a powder-magazine then?"
stOh, yes, ma'am. There was a
great manufacturing company here
once, but II was ruined in the panic of
1887, and there's not been an ounce of
powder in the place for fifty years
IT'S picturesque old ruin, ma am, as
YOU yourself observed, and artists like
to sketch it. There used to be picnic
parties there, maan, before-but |
declare, I'm getting ahead of my
story"
And, leaning her plump, comfortable
elbows on the table Mrs Wedderburn
went on:
"Ten years ago we had The most sue
cessfal summer season that ever we
knew; up in the Catsllills the houses
were crowded-and some of the young
gentlemen tourists actually camped out
In the barn o nights. And Barbara
was here helping me-the rose of the
Catstills, one of my young gentlemen
guests called her, and somehow it grew
into by-word And, if coaxing and
fiattering could turn girls head, Bar
Not that can accuse her of flirting or
carrying on-that wasn't Barbara's
way-she Just went quietly about her
business and never said nothing to no
body But | could see that she liked
Mr.. Warden, and Mr. Warden was Just
the one of the whole tribe and genera.
ton of 'em that could wish she hadn't
liked. You see, ma'am, there's differ
ence in people, and, for all he made such
q fuss over her. could see he was as
cold az stone and as hard as adamant
Things went along smoothly, how
ever, until Miss Arkwright came up
from New Nork-Miss Arxwright, with
her trailing silk dresses and diamond
rings and hair built up in curlS and
paffs and frizzes. Some folks like that
style; don't. But Miss Arl<wright
was very rich and very fashionable, and
the minute saw her and Mr.. Warden
together knew that poor Barbara 5
reign was over
1.-THE idea of making such commo-
tfon over mere servant says Miss
AI3<wright. To be sure she's pretty,
but so is a china dollr
~ beg your pardon, Miss Ark
wright, said |, but Barbara is not a
servant She's neighbours daughter,
said l, and she kindly does me the
favor to help me little at busy times,
bein' I've no daughter of my own
And Miss Arkwright put up her
gold eye glass and stares at me as if |
" IS an escaped wild animal
" Really says She. Row very graf
ifyipg,to know
And off She Saunter-S with hof. head