New-York tribune., 1896-03-29


She leaned back In her chair. noticeo no"
that she looked exhausted
.I wouldn't sit here II there were one thing
could do" she went on. But Just now there
isn't. and Aun. Noral stay with him. The doc
tor can't be here under an hour and half at
the shortest I've got to rest while can. we
shall have pull with Vane. now tell you. we
shall need all the strength we can get. On,
am sorrv!'
Here the girls voice trembled. was afraid
she was going to cry and was somehow out or
svmpathy with her, though l was deeply sorry
for her.
She did not cry however. She sat quite SILL
for some moments. and all the time was tryihs
to think what to say to her. felt as II seemed
quite hard-hearted
Suddenly she exclaimed. II wish you'd give
mo some more wine feel as weak as mouse
after all this"
Irose and carried the bottle and glass to her
..rurn II out for me- please" hesitated
knew as we'll as any one how inconsistent my
hesitation
Whats the NATTER" In surprise
~ don't know I hate to turn wine." an
swered growing red
"Well. you are curious one" She seized the
flask and glass.
After she had drank she said:
"There's one thing wish you'd do"
What is 1t? want to help you"
"see that Miss Cobb and tell her what's been
done with her house..
But / don't know where she is
Watch out for her. You ought to know her
habits. / haven't the patience. l should give
her something tough. know should
Bashy rose and left me: sat there by my
self a few moments. / trying TO recall
Rachel Cobb's routine Of visits.
AS nearly as I could remember she ought TO
have gone over to the Great Medders" about
this time. The Great Medders settlement was
three miles away. She would get lift over
there with the butcher, and lift home with the
baker. But she wouldn't be home until after
noon: she would come early enough to feed her
hens before they went to roost.
wished to catch her at some distance from
her home: wanted to have time TO explain
matters and to let the truth sink into her mind
But there were several hours to pass through
before I could expect her. Miss Runciman and
Bashy would be with vane Hildreth. should
be by myself.
Presently left the carriage. purposely wan
dered off toward the road that led to the VII
lage. Here this road very solitary. I kept
in the high pastures. but within sight OF the
highway 1 began to try my voice; ran UP
| and down the scale over and over again. noting
critically the volume OF sound and It's quality.
was not afraid that any one would hear me. 30
let lungs and throat have full play. AS soon
as possible knew that Miss Runciman would
| give me a few hints to these exercises.
was standing up to my full height. head
back and holding on" TO high c. when a rustic
in the sumachs close to me made me drop my
note suddenly
But 1t was only brindled dog that came out
Of the bushes toward me. He came slowly and
inquiringly. but when he had reached my side
he licked my hands eagerly and with pathetic
sort of questioning. He sat down his
launches and looked at me. ! put my hand on
his head. OF course. recognized the animal as
Mr. Hildreth's dog. whom he called Lotus"
His owner had explained that he had given the
dog this name on account Of its striking nap-
propriateness.
"Why are you not with your master7" ! in
quired.
Lotus wagged his tail furiously and whined
! He explaining. but could not understand.
Having risen to go through with this explana-
| tion he sat down again with the air OF one who
begs not to be driven away. At this stage Of
our interview heard shout of "IIulo" down
In the road. / looked and saw man on horse
back gallopng. He was swinging his hat toward
me. Immediately he dismounted. tied his horse
| to birCn tree ana came up tNe NIL. 1 nad
directly recognized Bidwe Blake.
"I s'pose you've heard?" he said as he came
near.
I nodded.
pretty kettle OF fish, he exclaimed "Ive
seen the doctor. He's on behind with splints
n bottles. n bandages; n he'll need um all.
I can't stop but minute. He said he might
want me 10 help-he couldn't tell: N 1t wouldn't
do to the feller's womenkind Didn't
he swear though, Yes. he did. But I
couldn't blame him. Whose dorg's that?"
"Mr Hildreth's. He just came to me-"
Bidwell glanced at frowningly. why
don't the dorg stay where he blongs?" he
asked 81 thought dorgs was the only faithful
things in the universe. Why amt he with his
MASTER"
said didn't know. Bidwell continued to
frown as ne gazed at me. Then he remarked
that II he was IN the habit or KICKING dogs ne
should kick this one.
',The cheek Of the crtter to come to you In
that way" he exclaimed; tests II he had a
right to! Why don't you drive him OFF,
mo-" answered. II shall not drive him of.
Bidwell whistled but tho expression Of his
face was still scowling expression;
"Wall. / must be goin'. The doctor'n be
along, n must be on hand.
!, The young man turned and walked few
PAGES. Then he came back He gazed at me a
moment before he spoke.
Il s'pose you're goin with them folks, Billy!
he said.
Yes | going with them
Bdwe gazed at me intently. Something ir
his gaze made me uncomfortable and indig
nant. thought he intended to speak again
. but he did not.
He suddenly swung about and hurried down
the slope. ] watched him. he mounted his
: horse and rode away without looking in my
direction again.
Lotus was sitting at my feet He glanced VI
al me deprecatingy. dropping his clipped ears
1t was strange day. / remained out In the
Y pastures all the time. wandering here and
to NJ h9
delicious air. II mother had been there should
have gone home for while About noon
=, went down to the carriage. / found no one
/ discovered some bread and cold meat ant
Lotus and had a lunch. The horses belong
ing to the wagon were kept In the nearest sta
BILE. which was half a mile away. I had