New-York tribune., 1896-05-24
IN THE FIRST PERSON.
BY MARIA LOUISE POOL.
Y V.
ANOTHER CHANCE.


Myra sat opposite me. IL was so dark now, TOT
our supper was late, that a lighted lamp was
standing in the middle OF the table and its lays
fell full upon her face, as upon mine
When made an attempt to look at our guest l
found that she was looking at me- Her round coll
eyes did not fall they met mine. as Why m
deed, should they? She Chartered almost inces-
sanity, and laughed.
She had little teeth that were milk white end
bright red lips; there was dimpe in ner Ie1t
check. II was an extremely pretty dimple and
cheek Why was father so pleased with her? lie
watched her. and laughed at her. and led her"n.
saw that mother only smiled IN her gentle
wav and that che did not seem so joyful at slsht
of this girl.
"I've Jest eat one supper at Aunt Racnels' she
said; "ain't 1t funny TO eat two suppers close To-
rether? But made the biscuit down to Auntie's.
n they want half so good as these These are
fest tip-top, I call um Why don't you eat more
OF um. Uncle Lem? Jeu know Bids brown hoss'
the nigh one, was teenty-tonty bit lame the
other day? He was jest as worried S he could oe'
7 told him he hadn't friend in the world he'd
worry bout 8 he would bout one Of them brown
hosses Is that honey, Aunt S'rissy. in that bowlf
oh. amt Il clear m nice? Our bees never make
honey like this"
Having nut a honeyed morsel Of biscuit into
her mouth she was Of necessity silent moment
Father gave up making an attempt 10 cat he
sat back in his chair with his hands thrust INTO
his pockets looking amusedly at the girl. He ala
MT notice me. and hitherto he had always been
talking to me. or laughing with me.
.vrbey ought to make sweet honey with you
round" he said now.
Myra bowed deeply: then she giggled ana re-
marked that there couldn't none of the young men
nav compliments equal to Uncle Lem. Uncle Lem
beat um all.
I tried to smile pleasantly. I was ashaned OF
myself that 1t such an effort TO smile at all
Wa, so small natured as this7 made great
effort asked cordially If she did not find 1t lone
some staying with Miss Cobb "Great Meadows
is ou,ts village, and it's so very quiet here"
"Lonesomer with a great opening OF eyes ana
.s,nI,ftfr,x OF brows ''Well, guess not!
Here father chuckled and then Myra began to
laugh. showing her teeth, her whole face having
something tina appearance Of a fine baby's face
.sThere,s ben lots to take up gals mind down
to Rachers." said father
Myra took a small spoonful Of honey. gazing at
me meanwhile. When she had swallowed the
honey she asked me II could sing like that singer
in the Roman Catholic Church in Chiffon. She
had heard that woman once and it had been just
like heaven.
could not resist saying that did rot think
that my singing was at all like heaven
Father showed back his chair and remarked that
ne hoped hadn't come back with any objections
10 smoking.
"Of course she hasn't" said mother. There was
an anxious expression in mothers eyes.
Myra now declared that she did like the smell OF
a pipe and She thought Uncle Lem smoked better
tobacco than anybody she knew: she wished Bid
vvouId s-nOke
She remained a half-hour longer prattling in
cessaLtly.
When she had gone fathers face lost It's smiling
look Of interest He sat smoking with his stock
inged feet resting the hearth Of the cook-stove
washed the dishes while mother mixed the
dough for rising over night
II was warm with the fire in the stove and
opered the back door. The sound Of frogs came in
loudly and cheerfully through the mild April air.
'I wish you'd shet that door," cried father, Il
hate that continual peepn."
Mother closed the door in silence Presently
father went to bed. He left the room without say
ing good night to us
Mother and were alone together. I followed
her about until the dough was set in big pan en-
the broad ehelf above the stove. Then we sat
down on the sofa in the sitting-room put my
head on her shoulder and she held me 10 her in
silence.
had not known how tired / was until now.
After a few moments my eyes closed-a moment
more and was asleep.
1t was not until nearly an hour later that
mother wakened me. saying that we should take
cold. and that must go to bed. Then she took me
TO my old roorn She had kept 1t ready for me-;
che explained that she liked to have 1t 80 for that
made her feel as if were coming home.
She left me, saying that tomorrow. when I vas
rested. we would talk.
I clung TO her for an instant then let her go. I
slept that night as If had no secret that had not
the courage TO tell and as If there were no trouble
in the world.
The next day we did not talk. though mother
had said that we should. We went on exac.ly as
II had not been away. save that helped about
the house more than had been accustomed TO d..
knew now that should not be questioned. and
that was 10 be left 10 tell Just what pleased Of
my life during the last few months. related very
freely to mother everything that was not con-
nected with vane. When mentioned him it was
as ''Mr Hildreth," and my tongue refused TO touch
the one subject that never left my thoughts.
was wondering when Vane would write.
longed for a letter from him. and yet dreaded its
coming He could send me a word before he sal,d
after that 1t would be a long time before should
hear again.
The next day father did not 60 10 the village IL
had been his custom formerly to drive there rearly
every day. But would not speak Of this fact; l
would wait would not even ask a question. The
day following ne did not 60 either. This vas hard
for me- Father sat good deal in the three-cor-
nered, flag -bottomed chair by the stove. This was
20 strange that tried not to remark upon IL I
: did ask mother isn't father well?" and she an
syered. He don't complain any"
-. Myra Foster came over four time. in the first
three days fitting In and up TO father as 4 she.
. and not l. were the daughter Of the house.
~ On the afternoon OF the third day there was a
trampns Of hoofs in the yard shrill little ,sugh
and looking from the window, saw Myra Jump