New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-01
MISS COBB RELATES.

curious and cOnfustd sense or NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. :
eazed at father. who did not glance at me. lie
was looking at mother; his eyes had pecui"i
contracted appearance, and had never noticed
before that they We're 50 near together.
walked toward the door. but just as my manu-
was on the latch father said quickly
"You needn't go. Billy. Mother n amt gon
In talk any secrets from you. Sedown."
obeyed, but / longei to get away. Mother
was now sitting with her hands folded in her
Ian. her eyes cast down thought as looked
at her that had never seen her face so cold and
expressionless; and had sudden terror at ner
remoteness wanted to hurry to her side out
knew father would think was very silly so
kept quiet
He had the letter still in his hand. and he was
dapping II gently against his trouser-leg as he
talked.
''When YOU really come TO think It all over Sc
rissy." he said. you amt goin' to stan In the
chd's way: you. now?
Mothers face quivered slightly. thought she
was going to speak but she did not; and she did
not raise he eyes.
"you see. serissy. It's lest about here. call It:
We've always ben real proud cause Billy could
sing. but we never felt we knew exactly how to
have her voice dedicated; n so we amt done
nothin' about It, But here's Providence steppin'
stann in the way of Providence?'
mot II it's Providence
Mother did not raise her eyes as she answered
though | was watching eagerly to meet her
glance.
That sense Of remoteness from her still con-
t,nued. and it made my heart sink lower and
lower
II guess we sha'n't quarrel about that re-
turned father In his Jovial way. Now, II you'd
Jest let Billy know that you was all right on the
question of her goin'. why, then. we'll call the
thing settled; sha'n't We Serissy?'
Mother did not speak for a moment; then she
turned toward me, but still without raising her
eyes.
Its all settled Miny." she said, you're TO go
with Miss Runciman."
that's the talk. mother exclaimed father,
"now you're sensible.' He went to her and gave
her loud kiss on the forehead. Then he turned
to me and said: You never'n be pretty as
your mother, child; you needn't never expect 1t,
either. Now you en- run away"
As turned TO go l saw him stoop and take
mothers hand and her fingers closed around his
went up to my room. q sense Of elation taking
the place Of every other feeling began to look
over my very modest wardrobe. my heart beat
ing delightfully."- as did So
Miss Runciman had mentioned wool frOck as
something necessary. How curious 1t would be
70 drive about and stop where one pleased. and
to-but could not 60 on coherently My I'M
agnation ran wild And how that woman had
sung Come ye dsconsoate." after my poor little
piping! Wha, could "understudy' be? And
where should We go?
left my gowns on the bed and sat down by the
window extinguished my light first, so that
might see into the beautiful night. But l re-
member that l did not think much Of the beauti-
full night. My thoughts We're gaoping hither
and thither into the future, and the color of rose
was over everything
At last | left the window and put my frocks
back into the closet. 1t was already late for our
household. The June days were long, and 1t had
been dark now more than two hours There was
nothing for me to do downstairs, 50 undressed
and crept into bed But. Of course. did not go to
sleep. lay staring at the grayish patch in the
wall which was the window.
NV eyes were thus. when the door moved softly
! instantly dropped my eyelids and did not stir
as steps drew near Some one. did not need 10
look to know II was my mother stopped over the
bed I heard a long drawn breath ! was long
ing to let her know that was not asleep but
something made me keep very still Was II that
was afraid, If spoke to her, should suddenly
tell her that / would not go? And wanted to
eo-yes ionged to go. Something brilliant and
dazzling was Reckoning TO me. and smiling
Mother had consented. and father had more than
consented l would keep still.
Presently mother sighed again. thought she
whispered GOD bless the child" and then she
noiseessly left the room. turned and began to
sob into MY pillow.
The days went quickly enough after that and
with every day fancied mothers spirits seemed
l. ~. !
aty tina, Miss Runc.,nan. being woman of
whims had forgotten her last within. And all
the time wondered. among other things. what
On unccrstuiy might be.
1t was ten days later; June getting well
on. and had now nearly given up the hope Of
going anywhere in house-wagon with that
great opera singer
Miss Rachel Cobb who lived on the river road.
was spending tbs day at our house. Miss Cobb
was fat and she had eyes as small and bright as
a p;e's eyes: and Il little mouth. with protruding
teeth that made Kind OF snout Of the lower part
of her face When she teli.cd, which was nearly
all the time her Jaws ,lacked and snapped as II
they were going by sort OF machinery mat had
been wound up and that was not at all near to
running down. Father. In the privacy OF his
own home. called her "pigge-wigg!e." and said
that II was a great mistake that she hadn't some
front legs and a little tail with curl In IT,
Miss Cobb often referred to the fact that she
had never married. and always said that II
Timothy Hopkins tad lived. she was sure he
would have married her. and that they would
have been the happiest couple In the world
mot" she explained, that Tim had ever paid
her no attention. but that he was SO homcly there
wouldn't no girl under the canopy but her have
him."
Here she would chucke. and her Jaws would
click, and her eyeglasses fall OF.
When she told this at our house father would
roar out his laugh and say that Hopkins was
the unlu .kest man In the creation because he
was dead.
Here was Miss Cobb sitting near the open end