Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-12-05

delivering the word as if it had
been a stone.
"Beg PARDON" said the man, has
tily retreating.
"That comes Of looking for u
man." said Marcia.
Susie was too disturbed to speak,
expecting unpleasant encounters at
every corner; but when they moved
as with purpose, they had no 9th
er adventure, reaching home in
safety. George apolegized, saying
he really forgot it until it was too
late, and then he walked home with
Boxer, as he thought there was no
use in going for them. Marcia ac-
ceptcd his excuse, but told Susie
mark the value of leaning on a b'o-
ken reed.
quitting my hand to the plow
and turning back is not my way,
and you'll be convinced sometime,
too"
From that time Marcia and Susie
pursued their course undeviatingly.
George and the father were thor
oughly unreconciled at first, talked
much, and to do them justice would
have acted also, but Marcia was IN
flexible. Sometimes, when it met
their engagements, all went togeth-
er, but more often the girls went
alone, and the matter finally settled
itself. AS the girls pursued their
way quietly and simply, they elicit
ed no remark, and met with nothing
unpleasant. Their faces became ia
miliar to some invetcrate lecture
and concert goers, but as they as
sumed the position as matter of
course, others accepted it i'll the
same light. Neither of them looked
the least like strong-minded women
in the usually accepted sense. Mar
cia's defiance was truly feminine in
its character, and bright blush or
a sudden tumult in her bosom, if
too closely approached, betrayed a
delicacy of character which i'll Il
measure untitled her for actual con
tiict with the world. Susie was en-
inently a tireside body in. her looks.
But there was something in them
that suggested change. Susie was
not entirely content with things as
they were; but the success OF the
experiment gradually convinced her,
and she began to see that woman
might have an Independent exis-
tence and resign none Of the grace
and delicacy of her sex. Marcia
was content and happy, and shone
with grace of womanhood, born
of peace and independence.
"Tho-e are surely your COUSINS"
said Mr.. Thornton one evening rs
he and Edith came out from lee
ture.
eyes," she replied carelcssly; ad-
ding eagerly, "Why, there are Mr..
and Mrs. Eames."
Mr.. Thornton bowed with indif-
ference to the fashionable couple
who passed them, and turned to dis
cuss the lecture with the sisters.
Edith afterwards declared herself
quite ready to die with mortifca
ton at meeting them in that way,
but Mr.. Thornton seemed quite de-
lighted with Marcia's bright re-
marks, and offered the sisters tick
cts for the next evening.
81 should be delighted to accom-
pany you if Edith would like to go,
but unfortunately 1 am always en-
gagged upon Wednesday evenings"
he said at parting.
"Just as if you were couple Of
men," said Edith.
ale did not" replied Marcia.
You don't deserve such lovers" and
she went up stairs with red face.
81 thought him very polite" said
Susie, "and shall be very glad to
CO."
The lecture was at some dis
tance from the girls residence, and
when they came out the car was
much crowded. Susie dcmurred
to getting on, but the conductor
urged that there was plenty OF room,
and when she had succeeded in
gaining the upper step the car
started without Marcia. AS they
were on down grade, they did not
succeed in stopping again until
they had gone nearly two blocks.
Susie had no choice but to alight
and look for Marcia, which she did
with some trepidation. 1t seemed
so strange to be walking alone in
the night, but in an instant the alb
surdity of the position flashed
across her. She had considered
herself a protection Hor Marcia, be-
ing older, and on no account would
have thought Of going alone her
self. Yet here they both were look
ing for each other, and perhaps GO
ing farther away, for Marcia might
have taken the next car down. Still,
as the case stood, Susie pursued her
search, though her opinions took a
leap that might have startled the
boldest reformers. But she did
not find Marcia, and after much
consideration and walking, went
home, to discover toher horror that
the missing one had not appeared
there either. The ladies of the fam
lily had retired, and the gentlemen
were still'out; so Susie sat down on
the lowest stair in the dimly lighted
hall to consider what had best to be
done. She was startled by the roll
of a carriage, followed by a sharp
ring Of the bell, and opening the
door Mr.. Thornton entered with
Marcia. II answer to Susie's blank
look of amusement, Marcia ex-
planned:
"Mr. Thornton insisted, Susie,
although l told him it was entirely
unnecessary"
"She really was not fit to be
alone," he replied, looking earnest
ly at Marcia, who turned aside with
an embarrassed manner.
"But where have you bccn?" in
quired the astonishcd Susie, begin.
ming to feel somewhat confused with
the light which dawned upon her
on more than one subject.
"When l went to get on the car,
l suddenly became dizzy, and had