Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-01-16


lot Of men and dress like an aoorigine.
So told him if he could persuade Miss
Brown to be my chaperon she and I
would cut swath. OF course she
couldn't leave her sister and the chill
dren, but whirled her off before she had
time to resign herself to stay at home.
when we left we were absolutely
lifeless-she with overwork, l with en-
nui. We went south to the gulf. We
were quite too listless to think. If some
one would plan out day, even an hour,
for us, we were happy. One OF us would
say to the otbsr:
"'What arc you going to do?
"'I haven't decided. What will you
do?
"'I haven't made up my mind.
".I believe I'll walk on the pier and
wait for an idea
"'Oh, then, SO will L.
"There were men about too. One
perhaps forty years old-took fancy TO
me. They teased me about him, and
hadn't even ambition to retaliate-jusJ
let them tease. At first / had mild in
tention of transferring him to Miss
Brown (they would have made nice
match), but it proved too much trouble.
He would do anything for me and moth
ing for her, and we needed some man to
devise amusement and do the talking
for us. He tried to make us promise to
return some time, although we hadn't
spoken of going. He persisted in trying
to make us promise, and we were too
inert to oppose him. So one day when
he was out in a boat we stepped on board
a steamboat and went up to North Car
olina.
Beautiful country! Oh, the flowers
on the North Carolina hills! began to
appreciate the scenery, and Miss Brown
became so sprightly she alarmed me.
told her if she couldn't help growing
younger so fast l should have to send
home for an older chaperon. Then we
drifted about to other places-Sparkling
Springs last and longest. We staid at
a private hotel-fine old southern house
in perfect ervation-magnolias and
cape jasmine and pickaninnies. While
l think of it let me warn you if you ever
go south be careful. You will think
every man you meet is in love with you
they are all so devoted.
''There was one man at our hotel.
When l say man l mean one who takes
your breath away. There were plenty
of apologies for men and several women
worth looking at. There was a young
widow with pensive air and a reper-
tory of touching illusions to her dear
husband, which We're very fetching.
She had more men about her than any
woman in the house; in fact, she could
command all of them except the one l
spoke of.
when | arrived he was dancing a
good natured attendance on a young ma
tron unhappily married and exceedingly
pretty, infantile type, theatrical tend
ency to pose. She had wrapped her.
self about him like vine and gave him
daily bulletins of her troubles. Just
think of it! How can a woman? And
what did that man do bat come and re-
peat all her condolences to ne!
DO not tell me- l would beg. Il do
not care to hear her private affairs
Neither do |, , he would laugh. i
think you might share the burden Of
woe which she thrusts upon me-
"After l came perhaps lie neglected
her or broke some of the tendrils she had
fastened upon him. 1t was only natural
that he should show me about little
all the other men being occupied with
the widow. He was merely trying to
keep me from stagnation, I'm sure. 1t
was absurd for her to grow jealous. but
she did, and she married woman! Visi-
bly, jealous! Perfectly preposterous, es-
pecially when there was nothing between
u.s. Were only amusing each other;
only passing away the time-the days
were so long and delightful"
| As she spoke she kept nervously twist
| ing ring which had never before no
ticed on her hand.
when did you get that?' l asked.
"Oh, he gave it to me" smiling.
$50 you are engaged. Please tell me
what he is like?'
"You shall see for yourself. He said he
would come on this winter"
"Then there will be another wedding
at Rose Hill?'
"What do you mean?' with arching
brows and surprised eyes. 81 do not ex-
pect him-he said so; that was all"
You mean that you do not care for
him to Gomez"
To this she would make no reply, only
looked at me in mocking way, and
rose to go. We climbed the hill arm in
arm, and jumped into the cart and was
about to touch the pony with the whip
when she leaned over, placed her hand
on the back of the seat and whispered:
"All that talk about Father Time is a
mistake. They ought TO say Mother
Time. l always knew Time was wom-
an because-time-wil will-tell."
She picked up her skirts with one
hand, threw me kiss with the other
and ran into the house. My eyes and
L. i II I L. tr,rr rnt bp