New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-12
CHAPTER IL.

The funeral was over and Evelyn sat alone In
her room at the boarding house waiting I'll II
should be time for her to take the train back 10
New-York. on Monday afternoon there was -
be a professional matinee" OF deception" TO
give the actors and actresses in the city an OPP
portunity TO see 1t. The experiences Of the day
had been ghastly for her; and she felt worn ont.
Early IN the afternoon Mrs. Cohn and her hus-
band had called. but they We're chilled by the
physical Well the spiritual atmosphere ~
the place-Mrs Cosgrove had been unable 10
manage the furnace-that they had remained
only a few moments. Mrs. Conn felt sorry
Evelyn was obliged 10 g. ba,, that night. she
had hoped 20 have n long talk With her the
next day: they liked their new boarding place
in Mt. Vernon-st. ever 50 much: Of course. u
was expensive FOR them. but Mrs. James had
made their terms as reasonable as possible. and a.
was a relief 70 be with nice people When the
company came to Boston. Evelyn must stay
there-now that her aunt was gone. And Oh.
Mr. webb was In Mt. Ncrnon-st. too. ne had
given up hts rooms at the club She often saw
him. she had met him only the day before y"ster-
day and she had told him OF the death OF
Evclyns aunt.
This the Information that Evelyn was
now bordering. She had though; Of writing to
cause. but this she knew would be equivalent
to asking him to come to soc her; 80 She hest
tated til IT was too late t. write She felt re-
lieved that he had not attended the funeral. II
had been horrible: Mrs Cosgrove. Mr.. McGonlgle
and herself had been the only mOurncrs; even
in death Aunt Jane seemed forlorn-almost
fricndlcss In the generosity ~ his sympathies
Mr. McGongle was the only one VINO shed tears
Of sincere grief; he had conceived a liking for the
poor woman with whom he had boarded for ten
years; he had known OF he: trials and pitcd her
for them; the fact that he ready not only
TO pay his board. but &c, lend her money when
she was at pinch. had made her treat him with
less severity than any one else that crossed her
path.
1t was while Evelyn was INDUCING in retro
spection that the satiern who did Mrs. Cos
groves bidding came UP TO her room with the
announcement that "M!sther Wabb" was below
She was surprised. She laid the book that
had been lying unopened In her lap the
bureau, and went down at once To the dingy
parlor As he approached her In the dim light
he seemed like "A vast shadow. She turned up
the gas and ne asked II she wasn't looking bit
pale. When he began his condolences she cut
him short with the truth about the relations be-
tween her aunt and herself.
THAT makes II all the harder" he said sympa-
thetcally. There's something wholesome in
grief but death without sorrow Is terrible
There's always the hopeless regret for what
might have been"
Eyes. ! have felt that" she cried. surprised
that he should understand her feeling.
II suppose that most OF the unhappincss that
exists in families comes from the suppression of
all signs Of Affection" ne went on. Il have OBJ
served that often. | know some families that
actually pride themselves on living on "A com
nonsense plan. They glory in throwing away
what is best In life.'
"Yes have seen them" Evelyn replied i've
often thought ii the familiarity Of the family life
that sometimes makes II $3.50 difficult. People
forget to be kind to one another-anI consider
ate"
or very intelligent. But even Intelligence can't
always make up foi qualities OF heart"
They drifted from these distractions to more
personal subjects. He asked Evelyn about her
life in New-York. and she described it to him as
well she could; he was particularly Interested
in her account Of Mrs. Barton.
Poor woman" he said What a curious
character and what curious fe She would
make admirable study for a novel. I've often
wondered about the old women on the stage
about the way they live, and whether they have
/ families and how they can lead such unnatural
! lives Home is certainly the place for "A woman
/ when she's old"
IT'S always the place for n woman" Evelyn
| smiled when you come 10 New-York you can
! make your study Of Mrs. Barton. She's very ac-
ccssible."
! 'Tll put her into my next novel" he said with
a smile.
"Oh. then you've finished the other?" she cried
| In surprise
by no means" he replied with a laugh. 1--WE
written a haf-dOzen chapters. though. since
you. Your criticism set me to work again"
She felt the blood mounting II her forehead.
| IF you knew what that criticism cost me-" she
said. Then she told him Of the enthusiasm in
which 1t had been written, and Of her agony of
| indecision after she had posted II. AS she de-
scribed her foolish journey TO the p0stoffce. he
! burst out laughing
Il shan't be able to send you any more OF the
story If you take II seriously that" he cried
"Oh. you must-now that I've started. I'm
! immensely Interested | want TO know how 1t
! comes out"
They discussed the novel from every point Of
view. and he outlined the whole plan and de-
scrbed to her some OF the Incidents that he had
! already worked into II. AS he spoke a suspicion
which had occurred vaguely 10 her as she read
the opening chapters defined itself sharply In her
| mind; consciously or unconscousy he was writ
ing the story from his own experience: his wife