The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-02
scopyriehts 1897. by A. II. Hawkias.I
PART i.
s. ><NAsn

PART 1.
Mrs. Ncttlcton, being of a cheerful
disposition. limited her case against
1ife TO a mild complaint that il was not
as amusing as il might be; il was not a
tragedy TO her, bun a comedy; only the
comedy was apt TO fsig. Even this muir
mur she uttered shamefacedly, since
che was aware that she herself had
rather handicapped life by marrying
Mr.. Nettleton. Yet, though Mr.. Net
/; tleton had been dead now three years.
life had not improved much. 1t was
still little duu. and she, of course, still
Very sorry for Der husband, although
Slightly reese n1ful that everybody
should consider her grief as no more
lthan proper. Since she was young.
pretty and merry, she felt sometimes
that her grief was creditable, and not
llnerely proper. There was something
annoying in the way in which her rel-
htiyes. both by bsood and affinity, ac-
quiesced in lifelong mourning for her
while they were doing their best 10
True. they were not widows, but even
in India (NTrs. NettMton understood)
suffice was abolished.
IIev brother-in-law Fred was an ex-l
ception. To him she was indebted for
such yaiety as fell TO her lot, and for her
occas ional escapes from an atmosphere
too re miniscent OF Mr.. Nettleton. Fred
had becn very fond OF his brother, but
took lalve TO think that the excellent
L. q 4 -
iwife's pc asure while he lived, would
mot grudg. her a INTERPRETATION after
his death. He did not agree with the
idea that by dying we acquire. or in
deed should he indulged in, posthum-
Gus habit OF reproachflil selfishness.,
AT this time hes had expressed his opin-
ION so forcibly as 10 extort from his
mother, with whom Marcia and he had
ibeen staying in the country, the con-
cession that there was nothing very
shocking in two or three days bicycle
excursion; he and Marcia would look
after one another very welIs the coun-
try was distant and retired; two days
ont and two days back would be q
charming trip for Marcia. Mrs. Nettle-
ton senior yieldedwi some doubts and
reluctance. The pair set forth in high
spirits. having arranged means where
ty their luggage should meet them at
their nightly stopping-places. Their
lorly fear was lest the luggage should
fail them: that they themselves should
he defaulters had not come into their
heads.
Such an occurrence had, however,
suggested itself 10 Fate. On the even
O'Clock, when rain was falling heavily,
the roads turning TO bogs, and they still,
as they believed. ten or twelve miles
from their destination. a complication
pf misfortunes overlook Frcd's bicycle
Suddenly il appeared TO do and suffer
everything which bicycles should not.
Thc result was that Fred was thrown
tnto ditch, and the machine itself set
fled down on the road in pathetic and |
obvious helplessness. Marcia, having
surveyed ii for moment, felt inclined |
No cry; she was so wet.
"You must take mine," she said with |
a shiver. "Ride on to the inn and send
a carriage for me. tn only take about
t-about two hours" She endeavored'
by her tone TO impart an unreal short
mess 10 this space of time.
"You'd catch your DEATH" said Fred
In contemptuous affection. "You must
sride on. and I'll follow with the beastly
ttring. The trap IL meet me. The roads
quite straight; you can't miss 10. What?
Look odd you arriving alone? All right
Nif you'd rather stay here all night"
I Mrs. Nettleton decided 10 risk the inn
pression which she might create by
arriving unattended, listened carefully
ITO more directions about the road, and
Tcft fred trying 10 light his pipe from a
box OF sodden matches. As she plowed
of through the mud, il struck her that
after all there was no unseemiy riotous-,
ness Of mirth about this expedition.
! Now road may seem very straight
TO persons intimately acquainted with
bt and yet appear TO a stranger rich in
possible and seductive alternatives.
After about two miles this particular