New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-26
IN THE FIRST PERSON.
!. oo1
BY MARIA LOUISE POOL.
YOU'VE NO IDEA HOW PERSISTENT
AM


our station at 8 every evening.
stood n. the middle Of the room. listening. Inc
stranger-he had lot told us his name-hao
ui.hrrawn into the kitchen, where Mrs. Ridge mai
Of late insisted that he should stay couiu
imagine how intently he was waiting 10 Rho"
who had come o
Was not that man speaking in the nan
Surely My cheeks grew hot as STOOD there' II
seemed a long time before the door was openeu'
Mrs Ridge came in first. There was stump
ing OF blunt sticks on the carpet. as OF cru'ches
moving rapidly. .
"Ah. hav exclaimed a triumphant voice. i've
found Won. was bound to find you
7, was vane Hndreth in a long fur coat, a 1ur
20, with fur gloves on his hands. and crutches
under his arms. He paused and puiied OH NIB
gloves. flinging them and his cap on the nooi'
He hold out his h, nds, and went forward and
nut mine In them for the space OF secohu %
time. The young mans eyes were sparH""s' "''
voice glowing -,
"Tbev told me I was an idiot and should
freeze to DEATH" he said. trying to hoid my manu-
longer. But should have been an IDIOT not 10
p,o.sa ask me to take off my things and
stop awhile"
Here he laughed joyfully.
Take off your things and stop awhile re-
peated =, ..o,
..rbank Won: I don't care If do. In fact'
raar N stay until morning. perhaps longer. You
wouldn't turn evel dog out to-nlght-'"uch e"'
a popular tenor singer. .,,,
And he laughed again. He seemed ouoo''"s
over with good spirits, and 1t was impossioie nv
N he cheered by his presence. Even MIS- hiose
looked enlivened
"Do nresent me TO this lady" he said; ana
performed the introduction.
drew large chair up TO the f1re. Nahe 'hie"
or his coat and sat down. leaning MS e'u'o"e'
against his chair. He glanced al thei'' anu '"N
at me. 49,, eo,.ors
eft was all because was after those MOWERS
Won know" he said: and then, In an under'ohe'
80, hooorso tho flowers made me think of you,
Miss Armstrong" u,.,.,,.
Tho, he seemed quite active. and hoped that ne
-o,,dn,t have 10 use the crutches for long.
"ror long, Haven't l been hitching ABOUT
,non them for a century already! Ana ISM
Maverick singing in my place all this time! Anu
he's q man to sing himself into the good sraces
of ANYBODY. Has he sung himself into your good
graces. Billy"
He gazed anxiously across the space that sepa-
rated us as he put this question.
1--WE never heard him sing answered.
"Ah, That's where I'm In luck then I'm go
ing TO call YOU Billy, you know You are gu
ing TO let me call you that. aren't your?
After our life in the house carriage 1t seemed
az ~ II would be silly in Inc TO insist upon the
Miss Armstrong. so answered yes.
yane now leaned back in his chair ana thrust
his feet out toward the stove
Mrs. Ridge was gazing at him with undisguised
admiration.
"By spring I'm promised that may fling away
these things"-putting hand on his crutches.
"oh. I'm so glad"' exclaimed
He turned his shining eyes my way
"rhank you thank you" Then he looked at
me for an instant without speaking. turned
away end moved pile OF music from cnair 10
the floor Were my hands trembling? But II Is
d,scomposing to have person come go unex-
pectedly.
"xyhv don't YOU ask me how / escaped from
poche, Cobb?" he inquired "Did you think
wos going TO pass my entire life in Miss Cobbs
bedroom that led out OF the sitting-room! Dlo
Won, Tell me that-and don't prevaricate.
.r thought you would escape as soon as posi-
ble." replied
one could not very we'll help oasKhg more VI res
IN that radiance I saw that Mrs Ridges race
,,os.d brighter than I had ever seen 1t. She
now rose from the chair In winch sic ""o "e'"
sitting and smiling delightedly
"you must need some coffee and something to
.... che said land will 60 and get your supper
ready"
"Thank YOU" returned vane this cold does
whet UP ones appetite
AMI he rose TO open the door for Mrs. Ridge.
II. carefully closed il behind her He did not
take his crutches: he limped back quickly and
stood in front OF me.
ooh. Billyr' he exclaimed. In half-whisper
I did not reply nor look UP. was remember
Ing what had thus far. since his coming for-
gotten and that was what Miss Runciman had
told me Of her ncphew's proclivties.
But the next moment said:
Now is a good time to tell me how you left
Mrs Cobb
mo" ne answered. decidedly. I'm not going
10 talk Of Miss Cobb Wait until Mrs Ridge
comes back for that subject to be taken up"
.Buf want TO know about her." insisted.
.sorry to disappont YOU Miss Cobb will keer
any length OF time Billy
rose.
'Mr Hildreth." said
He caught hold of my hand
81 think you are treating me shamefully." he
remarked. Cant you improve?"
.No-yes I'm going to try 10 Improve" STAN
mered
"What do you mean by Improvement" HI
asked.
This" withdrawing my hand. land this" sit
ting down a few yards away.
But you know. Billy. I'm not going to stant
any such conduct on your part. No. really, In
not going to bear It,"
He followed me. hated to see him limp.
Don't you remember how l told you, befor'
witnesses''-here a smile-"that"---
YES yes" Interrupted hastily. II remember
There's no need to repeat
But I want to repeat-Im going to repeat ]
his very minute Billy. p
"Oh, wish you wouldn't!'
was afraid
But will. Billy, love you
He had followed me TO my chair. and he nov