New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-12
THE TWO SALOMES.
sHE WILL COME BACKa"

,cy,,oht. 1893: BY The Tribune Assoeianon.

.h;nr el,e She must get we'll Her daughter
racdcd her 1t would have been impossible for the
mother to die then. And she remembered that she
had always been told that she had the Ware con-
.,itution. 1t was now that the Ware constitu-
ton asserted itself
The period Of absolute physical rest had enabled
her 10 regain her grasp on strength In week she
could sit propped up in the bed. Moore was lavish
in his Kindness. Strengthening delicacics. flowers,
everything the young man could think Of which
.ould help the invalid or amuse her. lie brought
mt to the hut. And in all this week he had had
m word alone with Saome. She told him that
.be did not wish to leave her mother for mo-
uent Her mother might want something.
The girl shrank from her lover with terror
,bat she could not conceal. And when she be-
Neyed that she was not observed she watched his
t.ce with an intentness that was piteous.
And her mother watched her; and as she
vstchsd, Mrs. Gerry prayed with kind Of i'm
,,rious agony that she might have strength. and
v.t more strength. For she would need it all,
she was sure
The two women talked more about the for
sery during that week. But they talked a great
deal in an impersona, extremely cheerful manner.
And Mrs. Gerry gained every day. In the be-
Ginning of the second week she was able to be
about the house." as she would have said but
mostly she sat wrapped up in blanket in the sun
shine at the door. And Salome sat by her. some
times reading to her. but oftener silent. looking
ont among the pine trees.
II was here that Moore found them for several
DAYS He also woild sit down. He took his plac"
on the other side of Mrs. Gerry He would make
several brave attempts at talk then he would
subside into silence In this silence he tried not
10 look at Saome. but it always ended in his fin
inr his eyes beseechingly on her and appearing to
forget that they too were not alone together.
One day in the last of the week. while the three
sat there in the sunshine. they saw tall man
making his way slowly to them.
Salome knew directly that il was Walter Redd
and presently Mrs. Gerry exclaimed:
~why, it's Walter"
Redd came and shook hands with them all in his
somewhat ponderous fashion. He said he wouldn't
nit down: he couldn't stop: hut he had just come
from his trip through Florida. and he wanted to
know how Mrs Gerry was. He was glad enough
IN find she was better he had been sure she would
pull through.
As he talked on about orange groves. and land
and investments Hc often gave a long. questioning
Raze into Moorc's face.
Moore began to resent this gaze. though there
seemed to he nothing hostile in it. But Moore was
by this time in frame of mind when he felt him
self hardly responsible for anything he might 40.
He had been suffering for many days. He had
slept lttla. There were times when he was des
perate with the uncertainty, and with the throns-
ing terrible thoughts upon him.
Salome was as evasve, as unsatisfactory. "a ii
she were sprite. and not flesh and blood at all
In those DAYS Moore felt himself growing old.
He could hardly recognize himself He gave up
his business entirely. lie could think Of nothing
hut that girl, and what she had told him. His
heart longed for her and turned toward her with
an entirely ungovernable impulse. But his JUG
ment-Moore resoutey thrust his judgment into
the back ground, and it only now and then
that il doomed up too prominently, like spectre
that would some day assert itself
His naturally chvaric feeling toward all women
was now concentrated into an unspeakable tender
mess toward one woman whom he wished TO defend
and protect. even against herself What mattered
IL about his judgment
And Salomo held herself austcrcly aloof. Every
morning and every night he asked himself how
long she would be like that. He would have tried
to break impetuOusly through this guard If there
had not been certain besccching phase In IN"
rirls attitude il was as if she asked tEat il"
should be her ally in whatever she wished to do
Now when Rcdd said he must 20 back TO the city
he turned toward Moore and asked if he wonl''
20 then Redd added that he particularly wished
10 see him.
Moore rose in kind of suen acquiesccncr; and
to he anything like sullen showed how kc'nly ne
had been suffering.
lie turned toward Salome, but sh" only bowed
cravely TO him as if to intimate that lie might
better CO.
As the two Young men walked away MIS- Gerry
-. md hot, hcr
palms.
"Salome," she said snxiously. what are yon
doing?"
Salome endeavored 20 draw herself up.
"I?" she asked. 81 am doing nothing.
but Won don't let Mr. Moore have chance. ~
Salome shycrcd. Then she rose and stood WIZ
her back TO her mother.
81 don't know how can bear to soc him alone
she SAD
"But he wants talk with you; an explanation.
~There can he no explanation was IN" response
"You cannot tell that. 1t is unfair not to lei
him see you
"Unfa'r?" Salome wheeled about. Then
will see him. But know it all now
lie loves you, Salome."
The mothers voice, however, was very sad as II
pronounced those words.
The girl stood silent an instant before she was
able to say:
"Yes | think he does love me. And you love
me-. mother, but you do not respect me
Notwithstanding all her sclfcommand. MIS-
Gerry as she heard and saw her chlld az 'ris 'ho
ment, gave an audible eroan
She leaned her head back and smut hcr eyes
Salome drew yet nearer
Mother. she said you never lie; You never
yreyaricate. Answer me this Do yon respect me
Mrs. Gcrry's lips grew stif but at last they
obe,ed her
"Salome I know You are not base. am you
mother and know you are not base
The woman suddenly extended her arms. ah'
with swift access of strength she drew the gr
into them
n Mrs Gerry began TO sob and she could not a.
first check those snbs. Now. at last sh" IcIt as