New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-02


the wind.
Eivira still soothing her finger. heard those
weI-knOwn steps return. and knew that the mo-
rnent had come-the fateful moment which In heT
heart was already decided.
one wild spasm Of pity for that unconscious
mother chilled her. ana passed. she nad no ioo''i
then for alien sorrows
Melville Wright pushed back his broad felt hat.
seated himself on grass grown gopher mounu'
clasped his knees. and spoke
THE all -seein' eye hes removed itself an |
guess YOU an will build this fence. Elvira But
I've got few things 10 say first. You needn De
afraid | Amt goin' 10 tech ye-no moren would
ef yer ma was hyer-an' Lord knows | wouldn't
then, not with ten-foot pole-tell I'd guve her
fair warnin'. I've got few things to say l ner'
too but we're working this on the American plan'
an I'll speak to her with your consent. my dear;
She thinks | amt good enough fer We. an Lord
knows amt. but no more | wouldn't be ef
owned store an wore gloves an talked french.
Thets her style We needn't shake that bunnet
o your'n fer | know tits. BY jiminey Eivira:
don't We spose know tibet leetle woman
know 'er like book. | tell We what I Is leetc
gal IF We was on the wrong side Of a boiln river
I'd 1--WE been across long ago. but we amt: Yer
on the yon side Of tibet one. leetle woman But
I'm a-cOmin'. Elvira-with your consent am
good enough for you. but I'm good enough Ter all
the dead grand-dads we ever had, an I'm a-goin
T. tell her So" The last words brought him to his
feet. "Elvira. shall we build this fence together!
Elvira handed him the hammer
Melville Wright spent Sunday in strengthening
his courage 10 the requirements or an interview
with Mrs. Fnlson. Several times that day ne had
tried t. start but the stiffness and the warmth OF
his heavy wool suit. which was his sunday best
the year round. and which his ideas OF the fitness
of things compelled him 10 wear. had not tended
to put him with himself.
"Therc's goin' TO be a rumpus. an me a-turnln
tail in my store clothes Plague take II. am
a Fulson an Matney II have got on billed
shirt III wait till to-morrer. It's heathen
work on SUNDAY anyhow and with the decision
peace came to him.
Mrs. Fusons house. barn and garden spot were
in the middle Of her ccrniied. Makes II seem
more retired-as if We had trees. she said TO III
vira II also gave her the sense Of reserve. OF
hauteur with which hedge thick ana high IN
vests "A gentemans estate. From the time the
reached the level Of their eyes till II was cut
in the fall their gmpses OF the outside world We're
intermittent and few. Now and then ncighbor
called. Nearly every day hawk or buzzard
sailed the dome Of their Enclosure. the slow
and stately motion bespeaking the repose and as
surance Of those who have travelled in the world
and viewed 1t from exalted places. The winds.
with their message rustled through the corn; but
were faint and almost silent BEFORE they reached
her door. Still Mrs Fulson had never been lonely
Had she not Elvira and her ambitions?
She working in her garden Monday morning
when Melville emerged from the corn, by way OF
the cas- road into the little Enclosure.
Melville Wright again. hope Elvira won't
see him"
But Elvira had, and. all OF CULVER. straight
way shut herself in her bedroom.
Melville fastened his horse and went to the gar
den
He greeted Mrs Fulson's good morning" with
the smile II cOmrade.
"Its about Elvira." he said. and waited
The hoe handle which she leaned trcnnDlch.
The stoOp OF her fran figure was pathetic The
lines OF her face were questioning. protesting.
Her eyes were at bay. You'd a thought twas
butcherin' time an twas her turn" Melville told
Elvra afterward.
"Tvc asked her { marry me. an she's said she
would We hope you're willin'." He paused
It was his intention to treat the subject in
natural onhand manner. II was thus ne hoped II
keep his courage up He had no idea how i'm
pertinent hc appeared to her. Her trembling hg
ure had si!ifencd At firSt th"r" were little gasp
ing pauscs between her sentences.
My daughi"r Is to- Young she * going - the
academy this fall ! don't want her mind ham
percd with no such Ideas. You had NJ night 20
81. ok t. her. What does she know about menl
she's never seen iny-n0. not one She was
reused now She would show this impairment fell
low his place. What business have YOU to
marry her. She amt your kind, You've sncakrd
up behind my back. and tried - steal my daugh-
ter-yuu've set her against me. her own mother
Oh haven't been blind all this 'im" I've seen
you cdglng her on. making her Disconnected. ana
teaching her t. talk back o. her mother, She'd
never have done II % her own accord No. You
can't have her She aia't II age yet: and when
she Is she'll have NOR" sense. she'll have seen
the world And now leave my place, ana don't
you ever set foot on IL again
He quailcd but held his ground
perhaps ye don't know that 81 tell Elvira
not To- ~ to school. horses kain't carry her thar.
But | shan't tell her nothin u the sort send
her! I'll rent my farm. an 50 T. school too !
kept ahead II Elvlrh Fuison AT the rocked
schoolhousc an guess / can at the academy.
You've arcs Dragged on her brains. Lord ~"
took prizes from her agin an agin. and then
glve 'em e. her aftcrward She talks prctti"f
/ Go but no bctter'n kin. Say shes too g''i
fer me an say that yer right. but Kin match
her on erandads. an heat her on spclln, ana
ihet's the way 1t ortcr be-. Women orient tkno"
too much. | don't want tmnrry no strong.
minded female. | want Elvira. an I'm gDin
rhave herr
Mr. Tulson's eyes were blazing. Her white
lips said nothing. but she pointed 10 his horse.
and then down the road by which he had come
Tho gesture was meodramaiic. the situation gro
esqiic. but 70 his uniutored eyes II was the ell
max of fine tragedy.
That he might play no second part. his decision
was quick and final She had never gagged him
accurately had never recognized under his gay
derncanor certain sterling native qualites-Guick-
ness tcnacity. and more than all. That iacuity
called success.
lie started toward MS horse. then turned
again
you've ordered me of yer place. Mis- Fuison.
an you've a RICH; 10. Consequently. I'm ago
in hui I give We fair warnn-kcep yer eye on
tibet daughter O yourn. Cause why? I'm goin
trun off with her | could tom-fool around the
academy but / amt a-gon 10. You WOULDN'T
never appreciate 1t no way. an Elvira'n come es
soon AS | cit ready an whistle fer her. Jest put
tibet down. An I'm goin' to whistle mighty
soon
peated. enlarged. He obeyed It, and mounting
hts horse. rode away
That day not pleasant one for Eivira or
her mother Mrs. Fulson had been outraged.
and she longcd FOR IN, assurance Of sympathy
and obedience which Evira would not give; whii"
Elvira felt as she had felt so often OF late. IN
iurcd and misunderstood. She was not kept In
IN. dark as 10 the disgrace OF following her In
clinations-of having such incnations TO follow.
In their self jealousy and self-pity. this mother
and daughter had grown to be strangers.
"IIe Is not tit To black your shoes. Elvira Hes
an insolent grinnns
"Pcrhaps he's III To- get me pair. I've never
worn them summers yet. ! Amt finding any
fault | know YOU couldn't get them. but ]
don't see what we've got to be so dreadful stuck
up about"
"Wher@s your pride Do you think shoes ana
fine clothes can make a lady? Haven't You
famy-and what has he? And you've got
brains-if you Just had the education | know
you've never had no chance. but you're going 10
| have It. II you'll just go to the academy this
| fall and pay attention to that creature.
| He boosted that you'd come when he whistled.
| and you've given him grounds Elvra Fulson.
| I'd be ashamed
"You ried him first. You know You did. And
| he didn't boast. told him I'd marry him-so