New-York tribune., 1903-05-06

Lucinda and EuHiee Ransom we're sisters Ss and an.
Ionged to many generations Of Ransoms IT
looked straight out the Dawsons plaCe-and to
watch the goings out and comings in OF the DaW-
son folk had been Lucindas great interest III hfe
For Lucinda was a cripple. her interests few.
She and Eunice Were good types Of the New1Ene55
strong natures fond Of each other in a cold SELF
contained fashion honest and truthful but hard
on sinners ard religious in painfuly austere
Eunice had the weekly distraction of chapel an
occasional tea party at a neighbors, the excite
ment of sewing bees and the great annual picnic
also she had the care of the rambling, luxuriant
garden and the large roomed old house. But be-
tween Lucinda and eternal monotony. there was
only strip of road and the Dawsons, back g gar
den; the garden where the endless comedy OF little
by Lucinda from dawn to sunset.
"Eunice" Lucnda's tone was sharp with inter
est. Patience Dawson has had her beau with her her
cripple did not turn her head she addressed ner
two dim shadows in the garden opp0site-the girl
who sitting on the step at the back door, the
''Lor. Lucinda what interest you do take in
the Dawson lot" The others voice had a certain i
ward and forward with heavy tread putting the
parlor tidy She was a large woman of about
fifty few years the elder of Lucinda.
LEcinda flushed all over her thin pinched face
y you'd be mighty glad of something 10 look al;
and think * about o3 and wn gacous @
nice he kissed herl ! saw him" There was quite
enfd emu n n looked as if the Youth She had missed
and never found had thrown its veil over her for
Eunice glanced at her curiously.
Well if 1 did. Lucinda Ransom! Why. you
what? Just that silly Dawson girl and Abram
50 f20 @ 661 w0rd or
ness and she had all The unmarried woman.s
her puritanica character there something
almost indecent in the eager way her sister was
cuse TO light the little, evil smelling lamp and to
Lucinda sighed Her picture book was shut up
now till tomorrow =. ,,.,,...,, ,, -.
Eunice laughed-her 3;e m9qth full Of cTackerohsE
You Lucinda? My goodness. but you do look
Enace Is 80 Ogey o we Sase both missed
love. All. you may laugh but guess i m right;
can never have now" There was pang of great
Eunice t flushed angrily She squared her wide
shoulders in the brown cotton blouse and spoke
out her mind vehemently.
Wen | should just be ashamed of myself if
spoke like you. Love, indeed l guess l never
ng sn6fd Of him i Khats this % ne love Of Yours
and food to put in her mouth. and clothes for her
back? Love indeed" Eunice tossed her head
foree i5Hs'i'es Seemed making her speak. 80
Fbice Ee ose seeing it grow up ike flower in the
hearts of those two young things-and somehow
she smiled slowly to herself. hardly realizing the
of her ssfh bfo g tbe Shg Wdne
full change! Why. ii scares me sometimes just
up so loving and tender ne bends her
like If he could never shelter her enough. and
there they stand, silent that the great white /
butterflies don't fear them but brush quite
close and the night up soft and gentle /
and feel right here" she placed her hand her /
vithered breast that / could have loved just
well Patience IL any one had cared for that /
way" She ended her long speech with pathetic. /
half nervous laugh
Never let me hear you speak like this again. or /
shall think you have gone crazy. Lucinda Ran /
SOM The elder sister spoke with rush OF (
The other inclined her head under /
the storm of words that followed. but faint smile
novered around her lips. and she felt in dim |
fashion that she had gone more into the heart OF /
nfe than her practical, bustling sister, and her
meek snirit took comfort
The DAYS that followed golden days for
Lucinda She watched her garden picture book
eagerly coloring the grayness OF her life with H.
Dreaming for another woman the dreams that had
escaped her.
Lucinda grew learned In the story of love. and
learned 20 appreciate far more than the lovers
themselves the delicate mystery of their moods |
This lonely. bedridden she whom |