Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-10-05
UNCOMHOYLY COMMON.


UNCOMMONLY COMMON.
Rohcr'inc had finished cleaning her
gloves. and was putting away the bits
81 old flannel and the '.dcodor,zed'
nuid. whose faint hatcfulncss she de-
clarcd she dctcstcd. "It's quite as bad
~ common bcnzinc." she said to her
mother. who was busy cooking n spirit-
Hcllc sort Of superior the gasoline stove
In the other room.
They leased the entire house. two
story amt basement brick, rather CEN
trally located. and rclct unfinished
rooms or suites In such manner as to
clear their own rental while rescrvlng
the double parlors and the joys II pro-
pric,orship.
They were very comfJrtablyar
In the evening. Robert ne could make
herself pretty. close the fulding-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.
ESP I'm some respects she was more
Mt ease with this gentleman for compa-
ny than with any one else Not because
he was unusually handsome beyond
the frequency Of his new clothcs-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, aud who. she was forced
To admit, would always remain the
same visionary enthusiast and Bohc-
milan. Poor Dick III he would only
quit Try NJ 20 make living with his
pen, and become practical member Of
society "a tailor, or shoemaker, or
something huncst No, but when Will
fred Wales was calling Robcrtinc knew
There would be- no after remarks from
her mother, that good lady being. at
such times. content Co retire To- peace
III dreams and u bookcase bedstcad.
leaving the young people undisturbcd.
MIR. Wales was moneyed young
man, with further "cXpcctations,H and
ROhCrtinc felt 10 would he tAc merest
folly To discourage his attentions. She
knew herself thoroughly; know all her
disadvantages and oil her little attract
ivcncsscs. She had sized herself up
long agu ~ n moderately pretty br,i-
ncttc,whu could sing and play passably,
Rad French novel without the dc
tionayy, write daShing sort If letter.
fNAfft 'AfNtiNN NiA NANN NNN.MNNI NNIlfIt~a sic
never forgot that She had neither fort
unc nor iamily-a blue lookout for any
girl III 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 tho life ot u working-woman.
Yet sometimes she felt sick nf IL all
SICK 1T doing lawyers copying at home,
and addressing wrappers by the thou
sand' AMI schCmiug how to best spend
the money so carnc and how To con
struct the prrtticst costume in which to
attend theatcr or promenade concert
with MIR. WalC.. (Oftcn she would
lar rather have gone sauntcring In the
park. clad In her plain. brown Mother
Hubbard with Richard Ethel beside
her, and his pleasing sautas.csO
But what could she do To support
hcrscltP "You can't be- n clerk i'm any
storc. said her mother. lit takes away
n girls social position
IF she has any," said Robcrtinc.
Ironically.
Meanwhile they had got ON very well
without touching the insurance money
received NJ the death Of Robcrtinc's Ia
mcntcd father. which was but small
sum at best, and which the mother
would need for herself when once the
daughter was married.
Robcrtinc shook out three pair of
evening gloves, and said musingly:
Now I'm ready To- go anywhere il only
some one invites me.
"lf | were yuu | wOuldu't 90 with
anybody but Walcs,' admonished her
mother. =" II be- sees You running
around with common tugs like Dick
Ethel, he'll ship your Mrs. Ferris was
often more forCiblc than elegant. and
always unconscious Of nautical tendon
clcs. She was thin. nervous woman.
with an extraordinary contempt for the
hot potiot. She was often heard to say
that she had boon struggling for wears
To keep her head above water. as also
that Of her deceased husband. Poor
man! his head had gone under ground
I'm spite Of herb
Robcrtinc colored. "I never 60 with
any one I'm ashamed Of she said. in
dignautly; land rs for Mr.. Wales, the
shipping process may be conducted
by the other party"
go, no doubt you feel able TO manage
your own affairs. Some folks, when
they have little streak OF luck. act rs
II IL would never be day with them -"
closing with n pet antiphrasis.
"Now, mother. what is the use Of such
talkp Let us eat our supper in peace"
And they did; after which, Robertine.
having adjusted her toilet, went 10 the
front windows and drew the curtains
back. admitting the evening breeze.
The sun was DECLINING and tho sk,-
rtherowith gloriiied; she stood where II
might dazzle her eyes n moment, then
unicd away.
Mother, shall I close tho folding
doors? Dick Ethel Is coming over"
. so, yes; for Heavens sake. shut the
doors. so needn't hear him warming.
~ were you I wouldn't fool away nv
time on such common"
Y Robertino banged the doors and lost
tho remainder.
Come IN. Dick. y she called. through
the wire window-netting. "'Don't stop
% ring"
''You are aloneP" he said, smiling
faintly as he entered. II thought you
might have company"
You see for yourself i haven't"
"Your mother is well, I hopeP'
"Quite; and busy. rs usual"
II met her on the street to-day. but
do not think she saw me-"
perhaps not. said Robertine. doubt
fully, remembering her mother's disdain
Tor common attire. ''But what are Won
doing this week. Dick? What is the
latest IomancoP'