New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-29


that wasn't true. I'm almost sure did not But
dld not really care anything about the truth for
its own self, mother. Somehow H. .eems as II
people ought TO care involuntarily for the truths
sake just as they would care for friend. because
| they can't help IT. ! never cared that way. Walter
! Kedd cares that way. ] was III and afraid was
J going TO Ole. and full Of notions. and did not
, dare rot TO be truthful. And made a great talk
about my conscience. ! was Just awfully good
wasn't !. motfer2 But was afraid was afraid
Of death. ard Of God. Now I'm not afraid o..
death at all; II seems so very far Of that can I
be afraid Of it. And God-well. he doesn't seem
| terrible 10 me any more-and when things look as
II they would be easier and more comfortable all
round II didn't tell the exact truth, why | IN not
afraid any more, you see"
| Salome lifted her head and looked into her com.
panion's face Then she uttered an exclamation
of pain.
"Oh. mother! Do you feel so badly as that {?
Is il SO very dreadful? Do you give me up? !
wanted 10 tell you"
| Mrs. Gcrrys arms clasped the girl with painful
closeness.
| Give you up" she said sharply. "Oh. no.
no! Nothing could make me do that, child.
| love you. and I am your mother
But Mrs Gerry could not keep the agony out OF
her face She bent her forehead to her aughter's
SEOuluer LOT a moment.
| She felt Salomcs hand :enderly smoothing her
| hair
| Truth was the foundation Of everything That
was the dominant thought in the woman's mind.
There could be nothing without truth What
| all the gracos, all the amahility in the world
without that one attribute? What would Salome
| do? When should she believe Saome?
| Do you wonder that the woman should suffer
| thus? This woman TO whom simple uprightness,
| absolute integrity were as the breath Of her nos
| trils. and TO whom they natural that
| breath? The person Of merely acquired virtues
receives such shock from any dereliction.
| Mrs. Gerry was born with uprightness in her
soul. and she had nourished that gift all her life.
| She had a feeling that her daughter was wonder
| ing that she should be so much moved. Salome
| had expected her mother to be grieved and dis
pleased. but she had hardly anticipated anything
| like this
The girl put hand each side of her mothers
face and lifted it so that she could look into it,
| Mrs Gerry thus sazed into the clear, loving
| sweetness Of the girls eyes. The lynife-ke que%
| ton, allow much is she really responsible ?'
| flashed through the womans mind. But she had
always held that people were responsible. directly
| So Responsible or not, a person must meet the
consequences of his thoughts and his deeds.
| Mrs Gerry tried to regain her self-control. She
tried to speak in her usual calm manner, when she
| said:
"Salome, when you tell me anything must ask
myself whether it is true not? To know that
YOU have said il ought TO be just the same as
knowing it is the truth"
EYES," said Salome, still looking into her moth-
er's eyes.
"Why do YOU say yes?" questioned Mrs Gerry.
IL say it because know one ought TO tell the
| truth, since that is what you have taught me-
| but don't You know it for yourself if no one
| had taught you?'
Salome SHOOT, her head. al can't tell about
| that" she answered. d" / suppose l know 1t; but
| I'm not quite certain, somehow / think my moral
vision must be kind Of blurred, don't you. mother
But please please don't feel so badly. and let us
talk of something else. The night, for instance.
| And let us imagine how cold and snowy 1t Is az
| home where father is
Mrs Gerry knew perfectly we'll that it would
do no good for her to pursue the subject further
| now. Perhaps it might never do any good She
| had an intolerable sense Of helplessncss.
| "It was time several days ago to hear from
your father. she said. 81 have been trying not
| to be anxious We have'not heard since you sent
! that money to him.
| The two talked few moments about paying
| Uncle john and about affairs at home Then Salo-
| me said goodnight and laid herself down on the
bed. She was soon asleep But the mother, though
she took her place beside the girl, did not sleep She
Law watching the moonlight through the interstices
| between the logs, and thinking, thinking.
| The fragrant air from the ocean ana from I"e
| pines blew into the room.
| Mrs Gerry was very quiet. But she did not
| close her eyes When the hooking birds gave ont
| their first futings to the day she heard them
| It was quite early on that day, even DeIore
| Saome was ready to 90 into the town to her DAILY
| appointment. that figure appeared in the PAIN
| that led to Augustine
| Salome was washing the breakfast dishes In
rather desultory fashion, stopping every now anu
| then to stroll for q moment ont OF doors. III was
| upon one of these stIos with tin dish IN her
hand that she saw this figure. She recognized H.
| and hurried out to meet Miss Nunally.
| "What has happened? ana why are you ho' vi
horse back p asked Salome.
| Nothing has happened. And am not on Morse
back because prefer TO be on my feet" was the
| orswer "And thought we might walk back to-
| gether."
$50 we will. But you must nave risen a' an
unconscionabe hour-for you"
| 81 did | have been rehearsing all night one
of Lady Macbeths speeches, and consequently
| did not sleep" ,a.
| SaIome thought Miss Nunaly looked haggard
aWhv did YOU choose one OF Lady Macbeths
speeches, she inquired, when 'here are ~ l'as
other people who have said more ag'eea'e
| things?' ~ m
| because it was so appropriate, was INC an-
| swer u, .h;o ,rorn.
ing?" asked Salome, with some concern, ~ n""
az rou mind telling me what speech it was?"
.vos 7 am odd and l don't mind telling you.
u ;s ont damned spot' Isn't that deliciousy
| .ronicp you SEQ there isn't any blood on my
hand. But Major Root kissed it last night wnicn
il worse than blood
Salome razcd at the newcomer while she con-
t;nued to pass the towel round and round the ''n
| dish. , 49,. al e., +ho
W,s Gerry now came from the hut, and IN the