New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-13
OUT OF STEP.
AT THE SCCDDERS'.

Salome. left alone with her mother after Nelly
had gone with the recipe for Harrison cake
turned from her companion with a gesture which
seemed to say. Don't speak to me-"
Mrs. Gerry obeyed that gesture She sat down.
taking up some sewing and resolutcly threading
her needle. not gancing at her daughter who
was standing in the middle Of the room with
her hand resting on the top of a chair
After few minutes however, Mrs Gerry said !:
II do wish YOU would sit down."
Then the woman was sorry she had spoken
II betrayed weakness to speak thus: and il
was Mrs Gerry's constant desire that she should
not betray feel weakness. Ever since her
daughter had passed childhood it had seemed to
Mrs Gerry that she must be strong, not only
for herself. but for Salomc, also And, clear
thoughted this woman usually was. there
had still been many hours Of confusion when her
mind had dwplt on this subject. The fear thai
che had actually begun to judge Salome by IL
different standard from that by which she judged
others was an increasing fear that amounted some
times to assurance that such was the case There
was only one way to judgewas a thing right
or wrong? But Salomc-she was different A
wrong thing done by her was not the same as
wrong thing-whcn she reached this point In
that cvcr-repeatcd train OF thought Mrs. Gerry
would start back from herself IN fear of what
she might be led 10 think. And always her con-
clusion was. Saomc is so different
At times she would break ont into the question:
But those others who do such wrongs, ar"
they different, too? Has something made it less
sin. also. for them p
Salomc turned to her mother
did Won speak to me ?' she asked.
Mrs. Gerry's face broke from its repression. She
nut down her sewing il suddenly seemed
kind of irrcverence to at this moment
7 bod
said.
"Oh. yes certainly" replied the girl.
She leaned back in the chair for moinenM
Than she looked toward where Mrs. Gerry SAT-
Her evrs had that vague, daz2led expires on wh'ch
is sometimes seen in face whose owner Is watched
Mother she said turning quickly, " am SUI
fering l am SUFFERING"
The words were repeated sharply Dut sun Ill
low voice
There was no answer directly. Mrs Gerry was
irving to summon all her powers TO her daughter
aid. For what else did she live, save that sue
might help her daughter? However hcalcu'"""
was the love. it was impossible that human n''"I'
should not sometimes c weary. 1t WAS almost
a deadly WEAKNESS now that seemed to paralyze
Mrs Gerry's mind She had been anxious un'li
e seemed to her that she could not feel anxious
any more But in her numbness there was S'ili
a dull misery which helped to confuse her
"Yes" she answered. wishing it might he gwen
her to say the right thing. hut knowing dniN hi
ineficiency: Il feared you might be unhappy
But. Salomc, Salomc," her voice rising, you may
parhaps have to give up happiness. we nave 10
do that sometimes -,
There was no answer to this There was sui
that same blind loo, in the girls eyes
"Y,u have seen M Moore?' Mrs terry ue
c;d.d that words could not be quite 50 painful as
aba al oil
would come to her ..
.yos said Salomc. Did he tell you?"
.Ue didn't tell me anything" Mrs. Gerry was
n,ad sbo was benumbed. because if she had not
hoon she should have gone 10 her child ana nave
,.,en her in her arms. and any manifestation OF
affection now would have Frustrated her stu more
And vet she WAS getting used to things she De-
lieved
After short silence Salome said
.you were right. mother / wonder II Won are
ALWAYS right? Since had sent him away mere
was no reason now why | should Wrl'e 10 "''
Rut wrote. lie came 70 tell me he is going 10
marry Miss Nunally. Mother, is that inc way
men are?' .. ,,,o answer
Men and women think was the ""'"'''
sTben this is the end of it -
"Yes.n said Salome promptly 'his Is '"' '"'
of it," ..,,no Law =
r,ctare She took it, remarking that shc w'"h'
-. ,loso exerciscs that she ought 10 nave
a,n. !. !, the morning She stood with inc p'-
80 i; bor hand looking down at them i"cn
sha ra,ked n the door and paused with her PACK
to her mother 49,. ,.o, che
asked. ,.,. ,.os
"pocors. women are also human beings, was
the answer . oors,
II tell YOU people are going to try TO conSo'o
themselves il they think hope is really gone
Salome turned about. She snhieo aS SIG ''''
that pcrhaps she would console herscn'
How agreeable that would Dc Shc '''''''
Oh ,ront ont Of the room, but she came pack
TO say that perhaps Mr.. Moore wo":' 'p''' .ho;r
house .can as they were interrupted IN 'hc'r
..,- .,na - lao does comc-motlcr, are yon
IT.. o. r,e9-if he does come, don't let me
.oo HIM II I Jaw him again l might ask MN
s.mo,h;rc Why. mother, i might ask MIN u
49,, ,,.;,h Miss Nunally and marry INT
sine, wc still love each other. 30 ~"
,g.in, that 7 must not see him. doh Eou'
p'o.ns "" ra Won wouldn't have me ask
him to do that. woum you an 70
,ra,,a l.. u,h,t Mrs Scudder would ca',' d"
.ho lr.u .os a niece with all the res, nav
done So tell him that win not see mn ~
And. mother, will you be very Mi" '" 60. o,d
Salome crossed the room 10 ME IS,o Lor
dropped down on the wooden ioo'S'oo, WV" Saa,.nro
mothers feet had rested She flung the paeka aye
%0."el w, ,r,, her and put her arms about her
mother repeating with piercing tenderness
"Will You be very kind TO MN ham,
Thnn sho n,aced her face her mother oo9''''
drew a long breath, and was perfectly sun .;.,.h
Mrs. Gerry also was quiet holding '"S S'''''"
figure with stern cSDseheSs' -, c.,ouc
some moments passed thus. and t'eh ,1"' ,,a,y
NJ. took the package Of papers again. anu Nv"
~ left the room. .,,o, moan
With those mechanical movements "i'io" ' nar
% much or so little, Mrs. Gerry a'J", -
Z - ..a lo. tlread and held up ller h'N-