The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-08-01
An Estimate Reversed.

1t was a hot afternoon-a very hot
August afternoon. The passersby
walked with great deliberation. Some
Of them carried umbrellas. Others car
ried their coats or hats. There were
not many Of them altogether.
Randall Clark, In his cool gray serge,
his canvas shoes and his light straw
hat, passed his fellow pedestrians with
somewhat jaunty stride. He didn't
carry an umbrella and he didn't carry
his coat. In fact, he felt the heat but
little. He had experienced some rough
service under "A much more ardent sun,
and, in marked contrast TO the people
swelterlng about him, he kept his mind
off the temperature and permitted no
thermometer reading to Increase his
personal warmth.
He walked along idly, and yet with
certain briskness OF gait that seemed
10 indicate an object In view. But he
had no object beyond the desire 10 Sc
cure chance TO exercise his thoughts
without fear OF distractions. This was
favorite occupation Of Randall's. He
|
advantage when strOllng along. Just
now hc was thinking hard on the ma
trimonlal problem. For seven-and-
twenty years he had escaped this wOr-
rlment. Now he was It's victim.
That he was in love admitted Of little
question; but he felt he had himself
well in hand and with power TO with
draw from temptation If need be. The
question was, should he withdraw, or
should he continue 20 bask In the singe-
Ing flame of Miss Emily Tabor's eyes,
and presently, when opportunity came,
/ put his fate 10 the momentOus test?
He told himself that Emily Tabor
was a beautiful girl, refined and
highly intelligent girl, a girl of charm
| ing tastes and many accomplishments.
| But did she have a heart, and was il
the sort Of heart that Is quick in sym
| pathy and faithful In lover Was IL,
| in fact, a pulslng, human heart, or was
1t merely m anatomical necessity
Randall feared il was OF the latter
| genus. She was so cold, so statuesque,
so perfect-such calm and almost I'M
| periOus product Of the school of finish
| Ing which her social class SO greatly
| admired.
Randall doubted If he could be happy
with her. She was his ideal In every.
thing save human sympathies. These
he feared she was quite lacking.
He took coin from his pocket and
held ii between his thumb and fore
finger as he strode along.
Heads. | go; tails, | stay" he said
and fipped the coin into the air. He
caught OF in his open palm.
Heads he murmurcd, and slipped
II back into his pocket.
He was striding up the avenue now
and there were very few pedestrians
I'm sight. He would go on and stop at
Jack Manning's home and leave a note
saying he had decided TO go with him
on that long trip among the Florida
lakes.
Then ne stopped. There was a baby
carriage, n dainty affair of wicker,
curves and open work, standing close
TO the fence. II was the face of the
baby that stopped him The hot sun
was shining directly upon il. 1t was
red, very red and the eyelids were
! half closed, with n strip of white eye
ball showing beneath. Randall caught
the handle of the carriage and quickly
turned 1t into the limited strip of shade
beneath the trees, He saw that the
child was overcome 10y the heat and
that something must ho done for il
! Immediately. lie looked up and down
the street. Nobody was in sight. He
! glanced along the row of houses,
| There was no sign of life about them.
| What should he do2 Go 10 one OF the
/ big, front doors and ask for assistance.
| or hustle the child 10 the nearest drug
| store? He pushed the carriage along
| In the shade for moment while be
tried 20 think what IL was best TO do
Then light step sounded behind
him He turned quickly. 1t was
Emily Tabor-Emily Tabor in all her
snowy summer fneries. She did not
smile at what might have seemed TO
some girls his ridiculous position. Her
! face was as grave as his own.
What is ii, Mr. Ciark;' she quickly
asked.
Somebody left this baby TO bron in
the sun" he answered, "ard I'm afraid
| it's ILL.,"
"The poor little dear" murmured
Emily Tabor. as she gave the child a
hurried glance. Then she strengthened
UP and added. Bring IL right TO my
aun;s house. Mr.. Clark. I'll hurry
ahead and open the door"
she ran back 20 the second gate and
thcr up the walk 20 the great entrance
way. Randall turned the carriage
and followed her as fast as he could
When he reached the porch he lifted
the baby on its pillow IN a careful
though somewhat clumsy. fashion and
walked up the steps Emily met him
at the doorway with outstretched arms
He put the child IN them.
Come in this way" she said. and
led him back 10 the library. The
maids are all ont and SO is auntie. But
I've got a piece OF ice here and some
wet cloths" She gently laid the baby
on the couch and knelt beside IL.
Break rp the ice she said. Crush
il as small as possible and make a