New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-16

Ia dknow whether it's gallantry or not" ne ne
said but you can't make me take auNa.'aee u
no woman | never did n never Will -
~ uIse Runciman's face showed such keen
amusement that felt the blood rush hotter ina"
ever to my cheeks. j..
She glanced at me and then seemed to try TO
subdue her mrth.
"pll take him at five hundred, she SAID
"All right"
Fathers countenance looked almost detected;
but knew he full OF triumph. Still one
would have said that he had just made very
poor bargain. ,,,
'.Tll send you check Tomorrow and Will
writ you where to bring him"
Then she shook the bride and the gray galloped
round into his own yard.
followed tagging | walked so slowly that
when | reached the house the buggy with the colt
again hitched to 1t. and father and the stranger
on the seat. just turning into the road.
Miss Runciman made movement and father
drew in the horse. went up to the side or the
carriage where the woman sat- and she leaheu
out and extended her hand to me.
"Goodby Billy she said. Il must call you
Billy because that's the name by which your
father introduced you"
"Goodby." | answered.
She was holding my hand closely and looking
down me. 1t seemed to me that she had not
looked at before.
How Old are you?' she asked, suddenly.
twenty three"
Have you ever earned any money!"
NO"
should you like to earn money!"
yes but don't want to teach school,"
She smiled. | thought she was going to say
something more, but she only repeated her good
by. Then the gray colt sprang forward. and
left standing in the road staring after her.
That's curious" ! said to myself. II don [
know why she asked If wanted to earn money"
When went into the house found mother and
Aunt Lowry talking about the woman. Mother
was saying.
Il don't know what to make of her. I'm sure. I
can't tell whether Ike her or not"
II can tell said Aunt LowiZy. II don't want
nothing to do with her What's she going round
buying horses for? And who is she. should like
T. know? | hope Lemucl won't let her take the
colt away fore he sees her money"
Lcmue saw her money the next day. as she
had said. The check came. and father took it
TO the bank In the town and got the cash.
How does she know but I'm goin' to keep
boss n money both?" he chuckled.
There something in the note which ac-
companied the check which made my blood start
with wonder. 1t was this:
please bring the horse to the ottawa Hotel in
Chiffon on the nth. and please also let Billy
come with you. When see a child with a face
Ike hers have wish to see her again. Don't
fail TO bring her
Father read this note slowly to us when he
came home with it. He looked at me.
What does she mean by "A face like hers'?" he
asked. What's the matter with Bllly's face.
anyway?
Mother turned and gazed at me- and her own
face grew troubled
Il don't know, I'm sure" she answered Il
never thought Nina pretty"
I'm not pretty: know all about that I said
Ge,isivey. Il haven't an idea what Miss Runc!-
man means. but she doesn't mean that and I
want TO go with pa. It's thirty miles to Chiffon
isn't IT? Yes. must go with you. pa" And Of
course went
The i7th came two days later We started
early in the morning in the light buggy the
gray colt In the shafts and another horse
hitchcd to the back Of the wagon that he might
take Us home again.
The long drive stands out In my memory as
distinctly as If IT had been taken yesterday. II
early summer and "" drove through a
country Of great farms, and wide pastures.
where cows and sheep were feeding The sky
was blue and the sun hot but the wind was
fresh from the west and filed with the doors OF
grass and lush brakes and wild roses DO you
know what such air Is?
over the plains Of heaven does any swceter
air blow?
Father was in great spirits. He talked. and
whlstlcd and sank snatches Of song In rough
bass voice and Joined HIM In the song when
I could
We drove at a good pace and were entering
the city Of Chiffon In less than four hours from
the time W. had started Father always said
that eight miles enough TO drive in an hour
when YOU were on Il long journey.
The ottawa Hotel was a big building with
nutcd white pillars in 'front.' standing on the
main street.
Nv heart was beating very fast when sat
in the ladies' parlor. waiting for Miss Runci-
man to come down. Father sent me In while
he had the horses put up. He said he would be
round and call for me in an hour or two.
had told the servant to inform Miss Runci-
The man disappeared. having gone out or
slght In the elevator which was sliding up and
down directly opposite the open door of the
parlor
There was no one in the room when | first
entered IT, and ] gaZed about at the big, soft
chairs the marble tables. the stiff palms in
green pots In the bay window.
Very soon a man and two women came IN
The two women sat down. but the man strollcd
about holding his hat and enc. and dinusing
an odor Of cigar smoke. He looked AT every
thing. including me: looked with large authori-
taiivc eyes that did not linger, bu, that APP
parcntiy compromised.
Another servant appeared and took their
ca rds from thes. people. and then he also was
swallowed up In the elevator.
one Of the women, slowly welding a ran.
spoke She said
IFS so difficult 10 catch Miss Runciman.
Ronald. are you sure she was TO be at the OF
tawa?' . o..
I'm sure the paper made such a statement.
But YOU can't tell anything by the papers.
81 know they lie like troopers. he responded
But you can but try To see MISS ituhciindn'
You'll never see her If you don't try.
II do wonder how she looks when you meet
her I'm a room like this said the other woman
A. she spoke she rose and moved uneasiy 10
Il window.
tsastD