The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-06-20
WAS SHE UNWOMANLY?
BY {. A. WICK.

Edna Farelgh, you are crazy! [
never heard of such thing in my life.
I'm-I'm-" Mrs. Horton stopped for
want of words to express her feelings.
Edna smiled, but she stitched away
quietly, rs }he replied:
II knew YOU would be surprised,
auntie, but | think a moments reflec-
ton will convince you that it is the
wisest course. | have but one hundred
dollars Ill the world, and the furniture
that was left from the sale. 1t isn't
much, but with a few inexpensive addi-
tiOns it will furnish the cottage. DR..
Gray approved my plans, and lie will
rent me the place very reasonably. The
grounds are planted with fruit trees,
currants, strawberry, blackberry, rasp-
berry, and grape vines, and although
they have been neglected, careful pruln-
ing and training will restore them, and
they will amply repay it in fruit Katy
will stay with me, and there is widow
Marks son, strong, willing fellow,
whom | can hire"
Good gracious, Edna! To think of
hiring man, the most improper thing
OF all. " HaJ W III INC I'cUPIo say. ana
Mrs. Horton sank back upon the sofa,
completely overcome.
Edna answered coolly, as she kept on
with her work:
Il have as good right TO hire a man
to help me, as DR.. Gray, a single man,
has to keep a woman as housekeeper.
As for the people, do not care in the
least for what they may say"
But there is your sewing machine,
Edna. 1t would be 50 much more wo-
manly for you to earn your living by
sewing, since you are determined to be
independent; and as far as home is
concerned, you are welcome to stay
with me as long as you live. Besides"
- Here Mrs. Horton heSitated an in
slant. "There is Thorpe Clifford; ! do
not think you are, as you say, obliged
TO take this extraordinary step. You
will pardon me, Edna, but l think it
very strong minded and unwomanly.n
/ Edna did not answer immediately.
/ She was thinking how bright and hap
DIV everything looked a month ago,
when her father was living, and she
had hardly given the future thought
And then when her father died sudden
| ". and his affairs came to be looked
/ into. it was found that he was deeply
! in debt, and the house was sacrificed to
l.,+n N1,n1 npNtIr rAly lA,Oa
then, but her aunt at once brought her,
with the few things that were saved
from the wreck, to her own home.
"Thank you for your offer, auntie,
she said at last; but do not wish to
be dependent, and | could earn but q
poor living with sewing machine. AS
for Thorpe Clifford, do not love him
and the woman who would marry a man
simply to gain home, would be both
wicked and unworthy. will prove tc
you, Aunt Helen, that l am not unWo
manly enough to do that
She spoke with energy and spirit, ano
Mrs. Horton, watching her resolute
face, and the determined light in hel
eyes, was silent moment from sheer
ama2ement She never had understood
her niece, and she was farther from do
ing SO now than eyerbefOre. OF course
if Edna was determined to unseX her
self, she had the privilege of doing so
but Mrs. Horton could not relinquisl
her attempt to dissuade her withou
another effort.
Edna" she said. suddenly, ''havt
YOU forgotten Leslie Holmes? Wha
do you suppose he Will think when h'
hears of thiS?'
Edna bent a trife lower over he
work as Mrs. Horton spoke, and he
thoughts sped away to Leslie Holmes
, seeking his fortune III far away Calllol
MIA. Forgotten him2 As II she coul
ever forget Leslie, who had been he
; closest friend since childhood. The
were not engaged, but Edna though
that they understood each other, an
:, they had corresp0nded during The I"
1t years he had been absent.
IF Leslie is the man | believe him
be, lie will think no less of me; and
% he is not, it does not matter What h
thinks"
= Then she threw aside her work an
- went to feeding Chirp, her pet canar!
e while Mrs. Horton sighed till her spec
rs tacles nearly dropped Off, over Edna
y .'foolishneSs.
1t was pretty place that Edna hs
chosen: and Edna herself, in a tast