The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-10-05
UNCOMMONLY COMMON.

uNCOMMONLY COMMON.
Robertine had finished cleaning her
gloves, and was putting away the bits
of old flannel and the '.deodorized'
fluid, whose faint hatefulness she de-
clared she detested. Its quite as bad
as common benzine," she said to her
mother, who was busy cooking spirit
mette sort of supper on the gasoline stove
in the other room,
They leased the entire house, two
story and basement brick, rather GEN.
trally located, and relet unfinished
rooms or suites in such a manner as to
clear their own rental while reServlng
the double parlors and the joys of pro-
prietorship.
They were very comfortably arranged
In the evening. Robertne could make
herself pretty, close the folding-doors,
run her fingers lightly over the keys
of the upright piano, and feel equal to
the entertaining of the most eligible
gentlemen friends-even Wilfred Wales,
Esq. In some respects she was more
at ease with this gentleman for compa-
ny than with any one else. Not because
he was unusually handsome-beyond
the frequency of his new clothes-or
talented, or witty; not because of any
subtle charm in his conversation, like
that of poor Dick Ethel, whom she had
known so long, and who, she was forced
to admit. would always remain the
same visionary enthusiast and Bohe-
milan. Poor Dick! If he would only
quit trying to make living with his
pen, and become a practical member OF
society-a tailor, or shoemaker, or
something honest! No, but when Will
fred Wales was calling Robertine knew
there would be no after remarks from
her mother. that good lady being. at
such times. content to retire to peace
full dreams and bookcase kedstead,
leaving the young people undisturbed.
MIR. wales was moneyed young
man, with further expectations" and
Robertine felt it would be the merest
folly to discourage his attentions. She
knew herself thoroughly; knew all her
disadvantages and all her little attract
ivenesses. She had sized herself up
long ago as a moderately pretty bru-
nette, who could sing and play passably,
read French novel without the die
tonary, write a dashing sort of letter,
and dance all the newest fancies. She
never forgot that she had neither fort
une nor family-a blue lookout for any
girl of twenty; that she had talent in
no particular direction; that she was
physically too delicate for continuous
labor, besides being untitled, by ambi-
ton, for the life of working-woman.
Yet sometimes she felt sick of it all
sick of doing lawyers copying at home,
and addressing wrappers by the thou
sand, and scheming how to best spend
the money SO earned and how to con-
struct the prettiest costume in which to
attend theater or promenade concert
with Mr.. Wales. Gotten she would
far rather have gone sauntering in the
park, clad in her plain, brown "Mother-
Hubbard" with Richard Ethel beside
her, and his pleasing fantasies.)
But what could she do to support
herself? "You can't be a clerk in any
store" said her mother, lit takes away
girls social position"
IF she has any," said Robertine,
ironically.
Meanwhile they had got on very well
without touching the insurance money
received at the death of Robertine's la
mented father, which was but a small
sum at best, and which the mother
would need for herself when once the
daughter was married.
Robertine shook out three pair of
evening gloves, and said musingly:
Now I'm ready to 60 anywhere if only
some one invites me-"
If l were YOU L wouldn't 90 with
anybody but Wales" admonished her
mother. If he sees you running
around with common tugs like Dick
Ethel, he'll ship your' Mrs Ferris was
often more forcible than elegant. and
always unconscious of nautical tenden-
cies. She was a thin, nervous woman.
with an extraordinary contempt for the
tot polIoi. She was often heard to say
that she had been struggling for years
10 keep her head above water, as also
that of her deceased husband. (Poor
man! his head had gone under ground
In spite of hertz
Robertine celored. al never 90 with
any one I'm ashamed Of" she said. in
dignantly; sand as for Mr.. Wales, the
shipping process may be conducted
oy the other party"
80, no doubt you feel able to manage
your own affairs. Some folks, when
they have little streak of luck, act as
4 it would never be day with them"
closing with a pet antiphrasis.
''Now, mother, what is the use of such
ralk? Let us eat our supper in peace"
And they did; after which, Robertine,
having adjusted her toilet, went to the
front windows and drew the curtains
oack, admitting the evening breeze.
The SIN was declining and the sky
herewith glorified; she stood where it
might dazzle her eyes a moment, then
turned away.
Mother, shall 1 close the folding
doors? Dick Ethel is coming over"
40, yes; for Heavens sake, shut the
doors, so / needn't hear him EARNING.
If were you wouldn't fool away my
time on such common"