New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-26
would have cheered her husband and her mother

|
had briefly told her that he and the artist were
dissatisfied with the work
Eyes. certainly. 1 wanted it." he answered
promptly. Il meant to talk with you about
that, but haven't done so. And l wondered
that you were not curious"
Il was curious. but l guessed"
well. what did you guess" Moore turned
toward her and asked his question quickly.
! 1t had seemed to him before his marriage that
1t would be endlessly interesting to study Sa-
! lone. And he was still Of the same mind If
there lacking In this study an element of
rest quite necessary to every day life, who was
to blame? Not Salome. surely.
| Il guessed that the portrait was too much
like me-" she replied.
She was watching his face and she added:
And now l know l right"
Neither tried to continue the subject. 1t was
| something that 1t seemed quite impossible to
talk about; and now to Moore. looked at in the
light Of the past. and without the portrait
before him, the whole affair had fancifu
and ludicrous aspect. He would have unmerci-
fully derded the incident had others been con-
cerned in 1t. Or so he half thought now.
He still was obliged to go to New-York occa-
| sionay concerning the property he had inherited
and to arrange as to a business project Because
in his eyes. he should be an idle one He
essentially active. and he had a strong taste for
mercantile pursuits. He had intended, how
ever to allow these plans TO remain in the back
ground through the winter, which he had ex-
pected to spend in the South. Now this was
changed.
Meanwhile the two women were busy with
household furnishings. To the elder woman
these furnishings seemed wckedly lavish; but
the younger one took easily and naturally to
all luxuries. though she was perfectly content
without them.
Coming out to the cottage night in the
week before Christmas, Salome and her mother
found that there depot wagon in wait
ing at the station. 1t had been discontinued for
the season for the first time that day. The
agent said 'it didn't pay for cart-whee grease
to run carriage in the winter for this train.
SO old Little had stopped.
The only two passengers who had alighted
here stood a moment on the platform by the
agent, who was swinging his lantern back and
forth. 1t had showed in the forenoon: but
afterward the weather had grown warmer 1t
was mild and starlight now, and the clear
crescent Of a new moon was in the west
Its only a mile and half mother" said
Salome. I'VE must walk
Il wish twas better going" was the response
But it's no use trying to get a horse, for
can't do it,
So they set out. 1t was only o'clock, but the
feeling and the aspect of the surroundings in
dicated midnight at least.
They walked through what in this part Of the
country was currently and graphically called
posi-" and trousers and rubber boots are the
suitable array for any one who must travel in
such stuff
Although these two had overshoes on their
feet, woman's overshoes amount to very little
in the way Of protection, except against a
slight danpness.
After few rods their feet were soaked in
snow water. Then they ceased trying to pick |
their way with raised skirts and hesiating |
steps after the manner of women.
I'VE might we'll splash right along" said |
Salome. who was in high spirits.
So they did splash along through the half
melted snow. And when they reached home !
they changed their clothes. brewed some ginger |
tea and drank 1t. sitting side by side in front |
OF the cOok-stove with their feet in the oven.
IF you only haven't taken cold" said Mrs |
Gerry, as they slipped their drinl, and were
comfortable and cosey
IF you only haven't taken cold yourself.'
was the retort, with gay laugh and hug
from the arm whose hand did not hold the
cup Of ginger tea.
Mrs. Gerry rose toward morning and went
into her daughters room.
rs that you. mother?" inquired the fresh
young voice in a wideawake manner.
Il was foolish as to get to worrying" was
the apologize reply
Salome raised herself on her arm Her ewes
shone in the lamplight
you must act on the ground that there Is
tch ]
then you can't take cold because there's no
cold to take"
Salome laughed little. gave a slight cough
and put her head back on the pillow.
She looked so very wideawake that her
mother asked IL she had been asleep
Il don't think have" was the answer; "but
my thoughts have been so unusually clear that
have quite enjoyed them"
There was something, she hardly knew what |
hat now thoroughly alarm ID Mrs Gerry; there
ore she was apparently more than usually s
aim and matter Of fact.
That day Salome did not seem really III |
hough she did not refuse to sit or lie all day 6
ong in the kitchen where her mother was per-
istently busy And she was very gay. One c
night almost have said that something-what
ould 1t be?-had happened to please her. S
sometimes she coughed shortly and dryly !
Twice when she did there was a SPOT of
right scarlet her handkerchief But her @
mother did not know that.
without knowing that, however Mrs Gerry | b
ad gone over to Mr. Scudder's for butter and o
ad asked Mr.. Scudder to drive to the station n
ma telegraph to that DIR. Bowdoin who had. q
ew years before, sent Saome to Florida h
But no hint Of this errand could be seen in her
manner when she returned with the butter. s
The two talked cheerfully. When evening
anne salome coughed a little more, and her
heeks were red. Her mother brought her some p
lilk to drink. She made pretence of want
lg it very much but she could not quite con-
eal the effort required to enable her to drink It.
When 1t drew toward midnight Mrs Gerry U
I'D Salome that she expected Dr. Bowdoin .,
ON Boston In that train: Mr.. Scudder would