New-York tribune., 1896-05-24

not seem TO notice. ffe look OIL HIS anu """N
ed me letter from It, -,
well?" ,.. :,
hardly noticed Bidwell as he drove from the yard
| hurried 10 the woodshed and sat down on the
choppng block The dog hurried with me ana mo
threatened to make 1t difficult for me 70 read me
letter. But did read 1t; 1t was snort ehous"
like all Of the writer's epstles 49,.
"My Dear Old Billy: Vane wanted me 10 nave
Lotus sent to yoa' ehen ought to adnt hhTf Singing
business over for the year Aunt Nora lsh Weli
Her voice almost gave out at the last or ~ Dut
she managed to squeak through critics Gown sn, on
her-they are barbarans. anyway. They say
fat more than did the first OF the season II ,
rather tough being with Aunt Nora when ii. she =
like this. One day she said she missed you. nm nun
Of that. by Jove She's queer one; hut she
done a good deal FOR me. Hope you're having
good time; amt. ,st1v.
Presently I again filled my apron with cnlps
and went back to the house, Lotus at my heels
] was willing that mother should see tnis it..e'
but felt awkward about showing ths wheh
had not shown the others
Whose dOrgs that asked the latheT' ci"9''S'
as Lotus bounded in .
FASTENED to explain that Bathsheba Hiidreth
had sent him. Father who was ying On 5.'e
lounge. pushed Lotus from him as ne eXclalmed'
Il call that cheeky enough. what d sne thihk
you wanted of dorg. eh'd like to know ,,.,
made no answer put some Of the chips into
the stove and the rest went into the wood box
Mother came from the pantry with pan OF
SKINNED milk, which she gave to Lotus. calling
him poor doggie' In her gentle way.
I wonder If mother ever knew how loVed her
Father dropped his head back on the lounge
cushion and shut his eyes. From that time i'o,us
was as II he had always belonged with us, ana
particularly to me; but he never noticed lather'
and father did not notice him.
When Myra came in that afternoon she made a
great show Of being afraid of Lotus, gave niue
cries and ran to father to he protected. dldn
in the least believe that she was timid. for all
her behavior.
II was not long after that day that came can
tering homo from the postoflice to lnd motner
coming down the road 10 meet me. 1t was June
now and she had on her faded blue sunbonnet;
but the bonnet didn't hide the pale anxious race.
She came right 10 the horses head; ana that
was something strange for her to do She caught
hold of the bridle and / saw etill more plainly
how excited she looked
"He has come," she exclaimed, In low voice
/ started: must have grown red. then white.
"Vane IIildreth!" ! cried.
She gave me a strange look. .
II was sure you loved him." she said. She added
Immediately:
THE other one?" repeated confusedly.
Eyes; It's Mr. Maverick; and he's waiting to see
you"
Here she laid hold of my skirt. but did not let
We we're in the road just outside Of the yard.
remembered that heard the sound OF fathers
hoe In the garden back OF the barn.
Don't go yet" said mother in sharp voice.
was agitated myself, and intensely curious,
but could not see why mother should be so ex-
cited. Her large. sensitive eyes were dilated pam
fully, and her cheeks were red.
Don't go yet" she repeated In the same voice
mo. no. Why mother why do You feel so?
bent down and put my hand on her shoulder;
"Mr. Maverick can't harm me added, ana ana
I'm sure don't know why he is here. It's probable
that he was travelling near the town. and SO
thought he would call. What are You AFRAID of,
mother" -
I'm afraid; on. I'm afraid Of everything" she
exclaimed still in her half whisper. MY dream
Billy, my dream"
I couldn't help shudderlns az she spoke. had
forgotten her dream, but remembered II now
distinctly. threw up my head and laughed.
81 hope We are not So foolish as that" said.
And I saw his diamond on his finger went
on mother 'It sparkled 50. and shone So rIght
into my eyes; jest as II 1t were laughing az me-;
Jest as II It was ten' me that no matter what
felt he was going 10 hove his own way
laughed again. but was not merry. There
wac q wild look In mothers eyes
Don't you fear" said soothinrly
But mother did not let go ot my skirt or OF mo
bride 1t was pit!abl. to SOC her fingers clutch.
1--WE suffered" she sad. these months back.
I've suffered. n I've had TO keep II all 70 myself
Don't go with him. Wrhelmina; don't 81 With
him"
why. mother. OF course sha'n't 20 with him"
answered In as calm voice as could COM
mand
Promise" she commanded
was becoming more and more alarmed. !
did not like TO give my word and this seemed
unnecessary. Seeing my hesitation. mothers
You've got to promise" shc cried. but a.
ways in the half whisper. 'If you do ! shll
know You won't break it. spite OF that mans
well then. promise" answered. but there
isn't the slightest need"
Mother sighed deeply; she loose1 her grnsp
OF bride and skirt. She plainly tried - regain
her usual manner. but as plainly could not sue
ceed at first
Her lips trembled as they formed something
like a smile.
Il guess youl think I'm most crazy" she
said "but I've been through lot sence you LETT
home. m guess couldn't stan much much more
reached down and caught her hand
Dear mother cried In whisper. you
needn't bear anything more
Then thought Of my secret. | am tempted
10 write that word with a capital. and wished
that had told her when first came home. But
] had felt that II would shock her so. and grieVe
her 80 and-wcll. sometAng outside Of me seemed
holding me back-ony Bnew really 1t was only
my own cOward!co which held me.
She looked up pleadIngly into my face.
Are you sure?" she asked.
Then did not reply. | only exclaimed, "Oh,
you know don't want to do anything to trouble
you"
Mother turned away and rode into the barn.
slipped down from the saddle and put the hook
Of the hitch chain into the ring OF the horses
bit | stood there instant. pulled off my
gloves and pressed my hands TO my hot face.
Then hurried to the house and into the gloomy
parlor where Mr.. Maverick sat waiting.
He rose es the door opened and came forward
quickly How well fed and well groomed he
looked. And somehow resented this fact.
He took my hand firmly and looked intently at
me he said:
After ALL the country's the place. isn't it?'
| withdrew my hand.
The country Is lovely in June" responded.
Mr.. Maverick drew forward chair. saw me
seated and then sat down in front Of me. \ ray
OF sunlight. coming through chink In the blind,
brought answering nay from his diamond
that flashed In my eyes.
had seen many gems while with Miss Runc-
man but for some reason this gem from the first
had a peculiar significance for me. That was "A
fancy, like fancies that had come to my mother
ever since could remember.
"Beautifuli beautiful" he replied. cnthus-
astlcally Il walked up the river path from the
falls All. isn't that IIildreths dOg?'
The door had not been latched, and II was