New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-07
IN THE FIRST PERSON.
BY MARIA LOUISE POOL
XVII.
THE WHOLE STORY.


Mr. Dreer turned toward liz as we came FOR
ward Miss Runciman made movement to
eignify that she would not be put into the car
rage directly She leaned both hands on the
shaft and looked above the horse into the dis
lance.
Presently she eeid, not addressing any one:
81 don't know why God made srch beautiful
world just for us 10 die in
But we live In it first" I responded with
some eagerness.
She smiled
you say that because you are living; but
am dying Roberto Mr. Dreer, who STOOD
close beside her--"help me IN I'm tired
I watched the man he obeyed. The ten
derness In his worn face was indescribaDie'
recalled the time when he had gazed al MISS
Runcimans portrait in the low-ceiled room al
Wallingford She had been his wife then: felt
sure Of that
Let me say here that I am going to call
her Miss Runcman TO the end or these enron
icles for 1t was by that name that always
thought Of her by that name l remember her
now.
There was hardly a word spoken during the
drive homo. The two newcomers sat In the PACK
of the carriage. the woman leaning her head on
her companions shoulder her eyes closed nearly
all the time, MT. Dreer HoiulHs iei NoI'A"''' -"
II he would shield her from everything
As mother came cut into the yard TO meet us
the moon was shining the tops Of the pop
lars that grew at the end Of the house; 1t shone
directly upon Miss Runcimans face. and when
mother looked at her l knew that there was
nothing but pity in her heart
After few days the invalid seemed so much
better that instead Of sitting or lying almost all
day on the piazza she would walk about the
ward always on her husbands arm ard she
began 10 say things that reminded me OF her
old self This Improvement continued until j,
for one. began 10 think she might get well, or
at lens, much better, and she dd not cough
nearly so much.
The terms which she had set for board seemed
TO me munifcent, but che insisted that II was
worth even more 10 have sick woman ike her
about the house. ami she might die on our
hands at any time. At this she smiled and Mr..
Dreer as he stood behind her couch, tried TO
repress shudder.
Later often watched Mr. Dreer, thinking 70
myself that he must have loved much to be
able 70 forgive so much for ! felt sure there
had beon need Of forgiveness on his part. Per
hans there was some spanicl-ke quality IN his
nature He did not notice me- save In mere
civil way But once he took occasion TO thank
me earnestly for what he said l had done Ior
him at the Holloway House.
II was at this interview that proposed tc
| Miss Runciman to allow her board 70 cancel the
! debt must owe her. had resolved TO say this
though 1t was difficult for me TO do go
She raised herself on her elbow that she might
the better look at me.
What debit she asked
For singing lessons. and-and'-- Here
stopped
Come here" she said.
I approached the lounge.
"Sit down on this footstool."
/ obeyed
She was silent for time. She put her hand
on my head
Il told you that when you are going to az
soon you want 10 be forgiven. You owe m'
nothing but forgiveness. 1t was cruel thint
to take you and leave you as did. l suppose
have done many cruel things in my life Blu
they never troubled me; and I'm not mucf
troubled by them now. That's a curious fact
isn't 1t? Now. there's Robert suppose h
loves me-he really loves me- Billy II you'll
close that door leading into the house I'll talk L
you a little. I feel like talking about myself
But II Miss Cobb should come over, and shoult
happen TO hear me, l should be sorry. Miss Cobb
isn't Woman In whom would con1de. l really
It? Robert thinks I may get well. but h. Is
wrong-wrong. Come back here 10 the footstool
You see. after ALL couldn't bear TO have you sins
better than could sing. | couldn't bear. wher
the time really came 10 have people say tina
girl some day will far outshine Miss Runcman.
They ala say that. Then l hated you. AnC
Maverick taken with you. don't wonder
Of course. There's singular simplicity in youl
character and manner which is like drinl
from cold mountain spring on hot day
Speaking Of drinking, was always afraid 20,
would begin 10 take wine 1t seemed agalns
your whole self-odd notion. wasn't it,"
Here the speaker paused She was silent fo
so long a time that glanced up at her He
eyes were closed. and from beneath the lids wv
tears had started. Impulsively leaned forwar'
and kissed those dropped lids. Even di
so knew that the reasonable feeling for me 4
have was the feeling Of repulson for Thu
woman. But. thank God. we are not Away
reasonable.
That's lovely of you" she murmrred.
Che opened her eyes and added with anma
ton. And you don't run any risk in regard I
me now. for l shall not get we'll and do an
more unprinciped things. And Robert 10 SAT
too Poor fellow! I'm glad he's safe. He ha
suffered horribly through me- But having love
me he couldn't stop loving me. That wa
strange, too. Billy. will you be bored II ] tai
about myself? l am In the mood TO do that.
Is as II were standing off and contempa tin
my own individuality. And you such
sympathetic. intense kind Of a listener. Shall
bore your
"Oh. no-no," answered.
VERY we'll, I'll go on. then. l married Rober
when l nineteen. l thought love was q FIN
thing. suppose 1t is: people seem to believe in Il
But became weary Of it-Robert didn't weary
however; he Continued to be devoted. He ism
like q man In that respect-nor like a woman
either; perhaps like some dogs. and very fe,
human beings. knew that could sing before
married. but 1t was not until later that learne
that might do something with my voice. "