New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-23

doors were open, the kitchen felt not anu ciose
and there was a strong smell or poilins Tea
W. W. sIwavs boied our tea for father said there
wa,n,t any taste to 1t unless 1t had had eoou
bile on; N If bn brought OUT the pizoi to mly
ia resL II He'd drunk billed tea Tor more IL
fnrtv vnsrs so he guessed twas mighty slow
pisOn. anyway ,, x,odo Union we
had company to a meal, and the almost pidch
decoction was poured into the cups =.
"Billv says they don't have such lookln stun
up to Hadley." he would say put dr trs" tb We
Mother | wish you'd turn me another cup VIII
YEP -, heard fa,bar
must for the moment think they liked TINS Dever .
age better than anything else. rem ember once
overhearing two women who had been spending
the afternoon with us They were putting on on
their things. which I had just brought from the
STARE bedroom I had gone back into the bed
room to find missing VEIL
What dretful pleasant man Mr.. Armstrong
Isl said of them
YES indeed" was the response, ana my nus
band saws he'd ruther be cheated by Lem Arm
strong than git the best of bargain with any
body else " don't wonder. 1 don't think his
wife 'prccates how good he is in his family.
tell you | don't much care what a man Is out
round If he's only good In his family.
What further conversations there might nave
been on the subject OF their hosts nipped IN
the bud by entering the room with the ven,
which carefully tied around the head where II
belonged sternly putting away the desire 10
draw the article chokingly tight.
Yes. father was very pleasant man. but OF
After supper that night he babe me to come
out to the BARR and hold the lantern for MN m
But when asked him: after we had reachea ene
stable where | should take the lantern, ne sat
down on the meal-chest. picked up straw
from the top OF it. and began to chew II. as ne
said: stan right where you be with IL. nat
voLr mother been sayln to we down IN the OF
oharl?" IT.,
~ hesitated he went on: "Ycu needn't hold
back nothin'. Your mothern ] are one, you
know and" winking I'm the one"
The light Of the lantern was directly on MS
face and had strange far cy thar had never
seen his wink quite SO plainly. ,
Speak up. Billy that's Il good girl, ne SAID
she didn't say much OF anything repIled'
"She don't want you to go with that woman
does she?"
NO: don't think she does He leaned for
J ward and took hold Of my arm.
/ Vow look here. Billy" he said. in low voice.
you needn't mind botherng bout what she
SAYS in case like this She's one Of the best
women In the world. but she's got mighty queer
| notons-I call em Advent notions You go
| with the opera singer 'Tain't best to throw
away chan ;es. You go with her. II she sticks
| 10 the idea But she may forgit all about H.
That's what I'm afraid OF. that she'll forgit.
Lord. didn't she ride that colt good? You go with
| her Here. give me the lantern Run In now n
YOU needn't say I've said anything.
obeyed. When 7 entered the kitchen where
| mother was washing dishes she looked at me
| anxiousy but she did not speak.
The rcxt few days were full Of feverish In
torest - me. Every lay | watched father
when ~ came from his drive to the postofhce.
/, was on the fifth day that he tossed letter
| into mothers lap. She turned pale and clutched
at IT, | held myself perfectly stu where sat
! bv the window | would not even look AZ the
group in the room. but gazcd persistently out
at the horse and buggy which were standing in
/ the yard
| But | heard the sound OF the tearing open OF
the envelope and the unfolding Of the paper
mo no. exclaimed mother sharply, after
moment. g.,
! shall be- dretful sorry 10 have you act foolish.
/ Lem read H."
He had got his glasses on He read aloud IN
| a sort ~ half voice but he read SO slowly that
/ understood.
| ITO Bys Mother.
| My Deer Madam: Your daughter thinks YOU
/ may not allow her to- spend month or two
/ with me I'm driving about the country. Let me
| explain 10 you that when saw her immediate
| iy had fancy that might be able to train
| her 10 Doe my undcrstudy-if she had voice
| and | was nearly positive. from hearing her
speak that she did have voice. But IT'S cold.
and OF course It isn't trained. though she sits
! I'm the seats | used To- SIT IN the seats thou
Sand years ago. The matter resolves Itself into
| this simply. Let the child come with me for my
summer vacation; shall make up my mind al
! 10 her capabilities. and II by fall don't think
she has the required gifts. she will have had
pleasant summer hope. and can go back home
needn't tell you that am very sanguine that
| she Will. In time be what want. think now
that you understand the matter. there can be
no objections To her Joining me- some time next
week Will send you more definite word short
! IS. Very sincerely yours.
"LEONORA RTNCIMAN."
AZ soon as father had read the name he lifted
his eyes saw me-. and exclaimed:
"Huo There's Billy herself Billy, what's
| understudy"'
Il don't know"
rose and came forward. saw that father
was In great spirits / looked fearfully at
! mother. and she met my gaze with such be-
scrchinG eyes that I ran t. her and dropped
! down my knees beside her. leaning my arms
| across her lap
You don't want mo to go?" whispered.
Before she could answer father said:
"Now. Serssy,'
Mother seemed 10 shuddcr and father said:
I'm 'fraid you're gettin' nervous Scrissy. Don't
| you 70 n begin TO worry now"
She drew herself together "a she met fathers
gaze.
(To be continued)