New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-20
OUT OF STEP.
AT THE SCUDDERS'.
v. tContinued).

anxious now as it appeared in the open doorway
with the light behind it, She thought it was
trying Of Nelly not to answer her. She peered
forward. at first not being able TO see anything
Then her voice rang sharply
"Nely!"
She was frightened.
at isn't Ncly," said Salome. But she could
not vet step forward Now that she had reached
the house there was q sudden weight upon her
She remained leaning against tho wall. She had
let her shawl slip from her and it lay in a heap
At her feet. She had worn no hat.
Mrs Scudder could not recognize the voice
Bewildered. she stepped back and took the light
from the stand returning to the kitchen with it.
1T amt Slome!" she exclaimed.
Her slow. placid mind had great difficulty in
even the attempt to adjust itself. Things were
happening at such a rate that it was quite useless
to try to understand them. And in all her life
things had never happened before
The Girl at the door had made no response.
Salomes entire powers at work to bring TO
her the strength to walk into that room where
Mrs Scudder had been sitting. She knew d-
rectly that Moore must be in that room.
In another moloent she advanced step. Ii
did not seem necessary or worth while to make
any reply TO Mrs. Scudder. Indeed. she WAS
hardly aware that the woman had spoken.
The girl extended her hand to push Mrs. Scud-
der from the doorway, which she almost filled.
"Oh. land!' cried the other, you mustn't go
In there S'lome. He's stranger; I'll tell YOU
about it. It's awful curious. n faint much we
know But where do you spose Nelly is? I'm
real worried. You amt seen her. have youP'
Saome thrust Mrs Scudder gently aside
"Pve seen Nelly" she answered. She was look
ing at the still form on the bed.
"Oh, you have? There amt nothin' happened
to her, them
"No"
Salome advanced and sat down in the chair Mrs.
Scudder had been sitting in. She leaned forward
with her arms resting on the bedside, her eyes upon
Moores unresponsive face
Mrs Scudder had kept The lamp in her hand.
She n Wv stood with il raised somewhat. so that
its light was shed upon the girl sitting there. She
was looking at Salomr.
In moment she stepped forward softly and
set the lamp upon the stand Then she walked
noiselcsslv from the room and sank into chair
in the darkened kitchen.
Tears were rolling down the wOman's face.
There was a strange pang in her heart
She had never seen upon any face the look that
was upon Salomes For brief time the sight Of
Il took from her all bewilderment and curiosity.
At first she could not ask herself how Salome had
him.
Az Mrs. Scudder was trying 10 get her handker-
chief from some obscure fold in her gown and as
in the endeavor the tears ceased to flow she heard
footsteps outside She was conscious Of ficeting
sense Of impatience with her husband that he
could continue TO snore when she was the sub
iect of much emotion.
She gave up trying 70 find her pocket and her
handkerchief and went to the door, admitting
Nelly and Mrs. Gerry.
II do declare." cried Mrs. Scuddcr, helplessly.
soine back to her seat without thinking whether
This new visitor would he seated. It does seem s
II nv mind was coin',' she continued
Mrs. Gerry's face and figure seemed strangely
composed as she also walked across the kitchen 10
the room her daughter had just entered she care
fully avoided glancing at Salome
Mrs Gerry had reached that age when shc knew
positively that che could not. with outward
calmncss bear some things. And she knew now
that she could not bear TO see Salomes lace
She walked TO the bedside. and for moment
bent over the bed linen she WITH ''0A '
Joined Mrs. Scudder. -.
.Do Won know what has happened TO MN
al. asked Her tone was calm it was pitched 100
high however .o,.o
Raforc Mrs. Scudder had done more than snake
be, head. Mrs. Gerry went on Nelly told me AT
sbe rre,x az we were coming: but thought you
might have learned something more
Mira Scudder shook her head again NO" size
remarked that she s'posed this young ui"h 'n"''
he q friend. -,
"ycs.r said Mrs Gerry promptly and with an
aprcarance Of explaining everything. we knew
him in Florida He very kind 10 us.
tbouoht q great deal Of him. lie had come ouo
here 70 call on us. It's dreadful"
ITS Jest as dretfus it can be, responded MfS'
soradar IN, I'm all upset with it. The doctor
he's gone to telegraph round lies goih 10 '',
oranh n the Girl he's engaged TO. s'posr she IL
he comm, ont here. do hope we sh'll have
.,r.no,h 20 on tbrou gh with it. d'know whether
heiI live or die. Dr. Sands said 'twant no use 70
o;va mn medicine He said nights wc'i give
madeleine 70 a dead woodchuck. You know ms
wav don't like that kind Of way In doctor
myself. but some folks think there am hooo'S
Hike Doctor Sands
Mrs Scudder had recurrence VI "o
reach her handkerchief She was no' III "",y
state now, but she felt frustrated, ana s'e oou''
not tell how soon the tears nlieht co"- "e"i'
She stood up and brought her skirt rouh" wiz,
a violent movement, absolutely found the pocket
this time, and distracted from il piece o' "hi''
cloth with wide pink border
I'm sure / wish could be as ca ms you are
Mis- Gerry" she said with some reproach III her
tono II did think was likely to pes ca I'll
most anybody, but my nerves are all ki"' VI
shook up. somehow"
Mrs. Gerry did not reply. She was s'anuins
% that she could see her daughters hsu'e WV, WIZ
tSvhead dropped forward toward the oeo' WIZ"
revulson Of feeling, she now felt she must NC
where she could see Salcme.
Mrs Scudder's curiosity began to rise aoo,e
her real sympathy and kindness she 'no"sn,
that there were good many things that she I'll"
not understand and it seemed that she had u
right to understand, since her family pad hcei
distinguished by finding that man lying insensi-
bic by the roadside She didn't see how she
aonlA ha, har haIse TUNED fnfn q hospital ana