The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-05
Was Sbe Unwomanly?

Edna Farleigh you are crasyt never
heard Of snch 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 quiet.
y, as she replied:
\ knew you would be surprised. auutie,
out think moments reflection will con-
vince you that it il the wisest course. I
have but one hundred dollars in the world
and the furniture that was left from the
Gale. 1t isn't much, but with few inex.
pensive additions 1t will furnish the cot.
ase. DR.. Gray approved my plans, and
he will rent me the place very reasonably.
The grounds are planted with fruit trees,
cuirants, strawberry, blackberry, rasp.
berry, and grape vines, and although they
have been neglected, careful pruning 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
al. What will people say" and Mrs.
Horton sank back upon the sofa, completely
overcome
Edna answered coolly, as she kept on
With her work.
Il have az good right to hire man to
help me, Ne Dr. Gray. single man, has to
keep .housckeeper. As for the people.
don't care in the least for what they may
ay"
But there is your wing-nachine.
Edna 1t would be 80 much more wo
manly for you to earn your living by SOW
ing, since you are determined to be inde
pendent; and as far as home is concerned
you are welcome to stay with me as long
as you live. Beside"-here Mrs. Horton
hesitated an instant there is Thorpe
Clifford; l do not think you are, as yon
say, obliged to take this extraordinary step.
You will pardon me, Edna but think
livery strong-minded and unwomanly."
Edna did not answer Immediately. She
was thinking how bright and happy every
thing looked a month ago, when her
father was living, and she had hardly given
the future thought. And then when her
father died suddenly, and his affairs came
to be looked into, it was found that he was
deeply in debt, and tbs house was sacrificed
to iquidate it. She was entirely alone then,
but her aunt at once brought her, with the
few things that were saved from the wreck,
70 her own home.
THANK your for your offer, auntie," shs
said, at last; ''but do not wish to be de-
pendent, and could earn but poor liv-
ing with sewing-machine. As for Thorpe
Clifford, do not love him, and the woman
Who would marry man simply to gain a
home; would be both wicked and worldly.
/ will prove to you, Aunt Helen, that
I am not unwomanly enough to do
that
She spoke with energy and spirit, and
Mr.. Horton, watching her resolute face,
and the determined light in her eyes, WAS
silent moment from sheer amazement.
She never had understood her niece, and
and she was farther from doing so now
than ever before. OF course. if Edna was
determined to unsex herself, she had the
privilege Of doing so, but Mrs. Horton
could not relinquish her attempt TO dissuade
her without another effort.
Edna she said, suddenly, ''have
you forgotten Leslie Holmes? What do
you suppose he will think when he hears of
Abis?"
Edna bent trihe lower over her work
as Mrs. Horton spoke, and her thoughts
sped away to Leslie Holmes, seeking his
fortune in far-away California. Forgotten
him? AZ if she could ever forget Leslie,
who had been her choicest friend since
childhood. They were not engaged, but
Edna thought they understood each other,
and they had corresponded during the two
fears he had been absent
IF Leslie is the man believe him to
t,e, he will think no loss of me; and if
he is not it docs not matter what he
ehinks."
Then she threw aside her work aud
went to feeding Chirp, her pet canary,
while Mrs, Horton sighed till her spectaces
nearly dropped off, over Edna's foolish
pessn
1t was pretty place that Edna had
chosen; aud Edna herself, in rufiied dress
Of pink pereale, standing under the shade