New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-08
house. On such days father used to say To-
WHY'S got onto her Wild gazelle"

carriage. and then you can go home ana 'ei'
your mother you've seen me"
followed her as she walked along the
path. Often she stopped to look about her' Out
presently we were at the rivers edge and then
saw two figures sitting on black bearsKih
which was spread beneath a hackmatack by
the bank These two rose and came forward
One Of them was the young man whom MISS
Runc,man had sent for me. The other was a
girl about my age l Judged. she was
dressed In a short flannel suit and altogether
had apparently much freedom or movement
as the young man. This freedom. though IL
seemed desirable to me. yet also had quite IN
describable flavor OF something not respectable.
I wished to gaze unrestrainedly at her. put
had no opportunity, particularly she was
staring at me with undsguised persistence
She stood leaning on a rough stick she had evil
IDENTIFY just cut from clump OF chestnuts near
her: and she had an open pocket-knife in her
hand. The young man. who had called hlinseii
Miss Runciman's nephew. was behind her. look
ing over her head. I could not but have
feeling that they considered me a country
creature who could be examined quite at their
leisure I stood straight and shut my mouth
to keep 1t from quvering.
you've heard me speak OF Miss Armstrong.
children" said the elder lady.
The girl nodded and resumed the trimming
Of her walking stick. She glanced up to say:
you called her Billy"
so l did. I hope she forglves me. Nane,
come out here-don't hide behind your sister
The young man stepped forth
Miss Armstrong let me present my nephew.
Vane Hidreth. He has a pretty tenor voice.
He can already do lover on the stage very
we'll"
Not so well as can. Miss Armstrong" said
the girl quickly. Young men don't know how
to make love until we've taught them. did
Romeo once; you ought to have heard and seen
me- Romeo had contrato voice; he couldn't
have sung a tenor note to save his life And
girl fell in love with me and sent me bou-
Duet with three-cornered note in 1t. Oh.
Jupiter. wish girls We're not always fools"
80 do l." responded fervently.
Whereat we both laughed.
80 don't l." exclaimed Mr.. Hildreth. "for II
girls were not sometimes fools who would
smile upon us?'
No one paid any attention to this remark
The girl now said that she had not been in
troduced and she thought that she was worth
knowing
so YOU are. Bathsheba.' responded Miss
Runciman. "and YOU never will fail because
Miss Hildreth" continued the speaker, glanc-
ing at me.
Commonly known as Bashy" amended the
girl. Wen make a fine team. Bashy and
Billy"
Here she laughed shrilly and showed great
many very white sharp-looking teeth. She had
a look as If she might. II she were angry, defend
herself by biting.
did not know why should begin to fee!
homeslck.
tried to think Of something to say that
should be an opening for me to go away, but
could think Of hing. l stood silent and awk-
ward Finally | summoned courage to an
nounce that l must 60 home
Let US sing something first" cried the girl.
"Oh, no. no. can't"
shrank Somehow my independent spirit
deserted me before Bathsheba Hildreth.
but everything here hangs upon whether
one can sing" responded Bashy. We don't
ask II you're good. or beautiful or anything;
but can you sing?'
"Pshawr' exclaimed Miss Runciman impa-
tently
But isn't 1t true. what say. Aunt Nora?'
lifting unblenching eyes to TIE elder woman
IT'S Of no consequence. anyway" was the
response.
Miss Armstrong" said the girl. don't you
believe her. It's just like this: II you were sus-
pected OF murder and forgery. and few other
trifies. and you came 10 my aunt she wouldn't
ask II you were guilty: she would want to know
II you had q natural voice, and how many oc-
taves Oh. awful lot. We don't care
much about the ten commandments. Thou
shalt not sharp-above all things. thou shalt
not fiat: and thou shalt learn the Rubni meth
vtvvN a1it he
truth"
II think It's time for me 10 go home. said
again to my hostess.
you see you have frightened the child.
Bashy," said Miss Runciman with some severi-
ty.
mo: I'm not frightened and I'm not a child"
/ responded with dignity.
The girl laughed as she whitfield at her stick
The young man. her brother. as I understood.
had walked away. saw him lying the
bearskin. reading
"Goodby."
looked at Miss Runciman as spoke.
You won't mind Bashy after a little" she
remarked.
"Oh. no." answered. II shan't mind her"
I looked over at the girl as spoke. My
fingers were tnging with anger. l could
hardly tell why 20 angry. And Wild
silly hope that might be able to sing better
than she came to me. knew It was wild and
silly. but / could not put It from me. l wanted
to sing better far better than that girl who
was laughing and whiting. and who was de-
spising me- Wasn't she despising me?
Our eyes met for an instant. She had small
eyes. but they were we'll set. sparkling and ex-
pressive.
"Goodby." sad once more to Miss Runci-
man.
VERY we'll. II you must CO." more indiffer-
entity than l had expected her TO speak. Il
think we shall remain here. for few days It's
really delightful. and then we are near Miss
Rachel Cobb" with a laugh. do you know
| Miss Rachel Cobb?'
! ,ha To ot amt