The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-10-05
Robertine banged the doors and lost

the wire window-nettlng. 'Dont stop
| to ring"
"You are alone?" he said, smiling
family ss he entered. 81 thought you
might have company"
"You see for yourself / haven't"
"Your mother is well, hope?"
"Quite; and busy, as usual"
81 met her on the street to-day, but /
do not think she saw me-"
perhaps not, said Robertine, doubt
fully, remembering her mother disdain
for common attire. "But what are you
doing this week, Dick? What is the
latest romance?"
Haven't done much" he answered,
slowly, shut have thought of SO much
1 would like to do. o. have had such
beautiful thoughts! Dreams that /
would like you to share with mel"
| Robertine stirred uneasily.
81 have had thoughts, too" she said,
half lightly. Il have been thinking of
| getting married"
He look at her in a curious way, but
did not interrupt, as she went on:
"Yes, 1 have about decided that the
only thing can do is, get married"
80, Robertine +" he said, in shocked
voice.
"You think 1 am joking, Dick, but 1
am not. am taking business point
of view of the matter. 1 must find a
rich husband. You see belong to a
very good-for-nothing class; incapable
and indolent, yet ambitious for social
distinctions; mediocre in talent, yet re-
fined in taste, while my education has
been of such superficial nature that
the thought of it disgusts me-"
30, Robertiue!" he repeated, dis
tressfully. "But you couldn't sell your
self-you could not marry for money
alone"
80, dear, no." she answered, cheer
fully, not for money alone. must have
respectable-looking husband, with a
she is about it, why can't girl happen
to fall in love with a man who has
money? 1 regard it as my duty to do
this, andy the way-you ought to
follow my example"
He changed his seat to one beside her
on the sofa, and spoke in a hurt, re-
proachful tone:
'.Robertine, these words are unworthy
of you. | can't understand why you
should joke, either. We've have been
good friends" then he broke off, as if
he had lost all self-control, all power of
speech.
She was moved, and remained silent
until the sound of her mother in the 9TH
er room seemed to give her tongue new
impetus.
'Ah, Richard, art is long and life is
fleetingr We have no time to be great
or to foster grand thoughts. Why,
even you and might be silly enough to
fall in love with each other, but it
wouldn't do, would it? o, no, it would
be ridiculous-mad! The very last
thing on earthr'
The very last thing on EARTH" he
repeated, quietly. They were not look
ing at each other now, yet they were
both strangely pale.
1.-The very lastr' she said, recovering
herself after a moment; then abruptly:
Richard, want to tell you some
little things confidential, you know,
strictly confidential"
Yes" he said, vacantly.
Richard, this is midsummer; but l
suppose you know people wear fannels
in winter-time ladies do"
Her seeming irrelevancy might at
other times have startled him; now he
only sighed inquiringly:
.'WeIl?"
'"Well, last wipter-you remember
how cold it waS-how many fiannels
do you suppose mother and 1 had
apiece?"
Three, perhaps" he ventured,
YEARLY.
mo. indeed; we had three between
us. This kept us washing one twice
week, which was tiresome, besides
wearing out the garments. Fancy hav-
ing one such article of clothing and tax
ing it off at bedtime to wash it that it
may dry by morning. Isn't the thought
abominable?'
The long, quivering breath that he
drew smote her painfully, as she felt
that, through her, his heart must ache
long time, perhaps forever.
She could not look at him. He rose
without speaking. Perhaps he could
not trust his voice.
You are not going. Dick? But
perhaps you haven't been to supper"
81 don't know" he faltered. 81
must 90 and finish some work. IL
hope you will not do anything hastily.
Robertine, remember-remembe | am
your friend-always." Then he went
out and away.
Mrs. Ferris slid the doors ajar and
entered.
''Gone at last?" she asked, glancing
through the window at the tall form
crossing the street, with slow, dis
pirited gait. eff he doesn't look COM
mon!'
Robertine had gone to the piano.
"Mother," she said, impatiently, ''if
Major Drummond proposes again
you'd better marry him. He's uncom-
mon enough to suit you-especially his
temper"
She could have sobbed aloud, she SO
hated herself. She fancied Richard as
cending to his poor room across the
way-his gray, cherries, pathetic room
and sitting down uncontrolled among
his manuscripts. She could see his pale
face, his sad, brown eyes. She hated
herself, and her mother, and Wilfred
Wales, and all the cruel, bitter world!
She tried strain of Mendelssohn'
music to soothe and strengthen her, and
her mother spoke, as if reminded:
1.-The piano rent is due tomorrow,
Robertine. Don't let me forget; they
are very exacting."
Robertine changed to fierce opera
and Immediately Mr.. Will
fred Wales arrived. Mrs. Ferris had
made her escape and closed the folding
doors.