New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-05
THE TWO SALOMES.
cuorrp YOU THINK OF YOURSELF Pm

,,,t, 1898: By The Tribune A"oe'duon
AZ. Gerry looked at her daughter with an agony
aaxiety in her face But 1T was an anxiety 10
",'.h ,be must not yet yield which she ieit IL
w." syen 10 express in the slightest oe.'eo'
WIZ .ummoned all her strength to her ana. ohe
I .ith a courage which she could not feel
OF had news this morning that your ia'"er Is
~. said. land thought IL best to go homo. !"
"0 S',omo stood as quietly as her mother But she
30, painfully to the hand she had Graspcd'
cinns - ,ate the next train north? ?" sho asked,
N.o;ously speaking in a whisper. as II her
un.o. we're present and she might disturb him
her mother could do more than bend her
D0'.' N ascent Salome added eagerly.
nesT n.ednt got ready. l can go just as l am.
~ can help take care Of father y
"r sxo said Mrs Gerry. Then she looked over
A. Darrab. who was watching the two with
" -. in her face But Mrs Gerry had no time
ha.,,ate She walked straight 10 that lady.
uas lounging among her cushions.
81 have n great favor 10 ask Of you she said
.vos, ~ was the interrogativc response. Wont
,u sit down ?"
'.Ob no Ny husband is i'll. must 90 to him
,..n,t LOFT Salomc 20. II is winter up there. She
.ould lose all she has gained. Oh. Mrs Darrah'
..y shall leave her? l know no one but those
.a,o miserable creatures out there where we have
-, living She can't stay there. l haven't time
=. 80, her a place to live in. and we have so little
,,oner But she must stay in Florida, and must
,..va IN half an hour. Would you help her about
a boardnc-place? Would you have little over
.;cb, in regard to her. Mrs Darrah?"
Mrs Gerry paused. She had been going to say,
or. ;s dreadful for me TO leave her," but she was
.traid that would sound weak. And she must
not only be strong now. she must also seem strong.
Saome stood gazing at her mother.
.Don't be uneasy" said Mrs Darrah with the
.sse which plenty of money sometimes gives. she
can STAY here with me- There's not the least rea-
ann why she should not And if feel like die
Eating in the afternoon. why, here she will be-
But the expense" began Mrs. Gerry
elf is no matter about that 1t will be all right.
aIcan't thank you enough; shall have time TO
.,,ange later" began Mrs. Gerry. She glanced at
,bs clock. She turned TO her daughter. the tense
expression deepening upon her face.
Without speaking Salome ran across the room,
matched I'D her hat, and again by her mother s
side
The two went out, holding each others hands.
After moment Mrs. Darrah passed her handkcr-
chief across her eyes.
The TWO sped along the narrow streets toward
the railway station. As they went on Salomc
nanted forth the question, What is the matter
with him.
Typhoid fever your Uncle Lemuel wrote"
Then nothing more was said until they came in
sight of the station. They HAD still ten minutes.
But not until the ticket bought did they spc
agaip.
Then Saome threw her arms over her mother
and demanded rather than asked,
Mother, let me GO with you'll"
"No, no. Remember it is winter"
you will not let me go?'
"No II is for your good to stay
my good Oh. what Of that"
"Salome! Do you know how dear you are to
me- And, Salome--"
Mrs Gerry led the girl out upon the platform
For an instant she held her as we poor human be
ings hold that which is unutterably precious, and
from which we must part.
"Salomc. will you tell the truth always-always
Salome, you must"
Yes, mother "-clnging to her" yes"
The train bell rang like the signal of an mex
orabe fate.
Mrs. Gerry stepped into car. She was borne
of with her white face turned toward the white
face of the girl standing on the platform.
Salome stood there for several moments. She
near her and sauntering about: people who had
come down to see friends off. She even heard the
stamping of horses the other side of the station
and the jangle of the harness they wore. Sh'
wondered afterward how she could have noticed
such things.
Presently some one left a group OF ladies anC
gentlemen and came quickly to Salomes side. i
was Portia. She passed her hand through th'
girls arm with a touch that was 30 sympathetic
that Salome turned toward her with chOked ex
clamation. But she drew herself up instantly
IL am very foolish she said brokenly.
"But what is it? l have just come here Il
meet the jacksonville train returned Portia
Salome stood up straight She brought her face
Immediately under control
do present me, Miss Nunally: you know yoI
promised to present me TO Miss Gerry" said voic
behind Portia, who turned with an abruptness tina
had something almost savage in it,
go away, Major Root" she said imperiously
@and drive back alone. for shall walk with Mis-
Gerry"
The Major stood in annoyed indecision for it'll
time But no had conided to some brother onl
GERS that one reason why the Nunaly was SO dashe
attractive was that she never toaded to IA fellow
She was as dashed Independent as il she had I
million dollars to her name and be dashed II N
didn't like that kind Of thing it was so dashed
different from the rest OF the girls He said gals
when in conversation with those brother oihccrs
Now he walked away with that small strut WHO
Is often apparent in man who is not very tall
yet who is conscious of being an army officer.
But by the time he had mounted his dogcar
and was driving away. he thought he was very
angry He had been going TO do that Miss Gerr,
an honor by being presented to her. And thcr
was something interesting about her perhap
the Nunally didn't want him TO know too many
"other gals He chucxled slightly at this thought
and this chuckle helped 10 restore him TO bette
humor rortia wouldn't tell him TO go awal
when she was his wife. He chuckle1 again
this idea He glanced back There the two wer
coming along the road arm in arm. They wer
talking earnestly: or, rather, Portia was talking