The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1883-11-25
Uncommonly Common


[Chicago Tribunal
Robertine had finished clearing her gloves,
and was putting away the bits OF old flannel
and the ''deodorizsdn fluid, whose faint hate
fulness she declared she detested. Its quite
as bad as common benzine, - she said to her
mother, who was busy cooking a spirituelle
sort OF supper on the gasoline stove In the
other room.
They leased tho cntire house, a two-story
and basement br ok, rather centrally located,
and re-let u~nfurnished rooms or suites in such
q Mariner as TO clear their own rental while
roserving the double parlors and tho Joys Of
proprietorship.
They were very comfortably arranged In
tho evening, Roberttne could make herSelf
pretty, close the folding doors, run her fing-
ers lightly over the keys of the upright
piano, and feel equal to the entertaining Of
tho most eligible gentlemen friends-cven
Wilfred Wales, Esq. In some respects she
was more at ease with this gentleman for
company than with any one else Not DO
cause be was unusually handsome beyond
tho frequency of his new clothes-or tai
ented, or cultured or witty; not because
of any subtle charm In hisiconversation, like
that OF poor Dick Ethel, whom she had
known so long, and who, she was forced TO
admit, would always romain the same Wis
ionary enthusiast and Bohemian Poor
Dickl II be would only quit trying to make
a living with his pom, and become a practical
member OF society-a tailor, or shoemaker,
or something honestl No, but when Wilfre1
Wales was calling Robertine knew there
would be nc after remarks from hor mother.
that good lady being, at such times, content
TO retire to peaceful dreams and a book case
bedstead, leaving the young people undis-
turbed.
Mr.. Wales was a moneyed young mau. with
I luTfhaN sa-naCfaNtAaa ~ aRA Ralurfaaa falf
1t would be the merest folly to discourage
his attentions. She knew herself thoroughly;
knew all her disadvantages and all her little
attrnctivonesses. She had sized herself up
long ago as a moderately pretty brunette,
who could sing aud play passably, read a
French novel without the dictionary, write a
dnshing sort of letter, and dance all the new
est fancies. She never forgot that she had
neither fortune nor family-a blue lookout
for any girl of 20; that she had talent in no
particular direction; that she was physically
too delicate for cont inuous labor, besides be-
ing untitled, by ambition, for the life Of q
working woman.
Yet sometimes she felt sick OF IL nll-sick
of doing lawyers copying at home, and ad-
dressing wrappers by the thousand, and
scheming how 10 best spend the money so
earned and how to construct the prettiest
costume in which to attend theatre or prom
enade concert with Mr.. Wales. Often she
would far rather nave gone sauntering in the
park, clad in her plain. brown "Mother Hub
bard, y with Richard Ethel beside her, and
his pleasing fantasiesl
But what could she do to support herself
"You can't be u clerk in any store" said her
mother, sit takes away 8 girls social posi-
tion,n
'ff she has any, said Robertine ironically.
Meantime they had got on very we'll with
out touching the insurance money received
at the death of Robertine's lamented father,
which was but n mail sum at best, and which
the mother would need for herself when onrv
the daughter was married.
Robertine shook out three pair of evening
gloves, and said muSingly, "Now I'm ready
to go anywhere II only some one invites me-"
III were you / wouldn't go 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 tendencies.
She was a thin, nervous woman, with an ex-
traordinary contempt for the OF polloi. Sho
wns often heard to say that she had been
struggling for years to keep her head above
water, as also that of her deceased husband.
Poor mani his head had gone under ground
in spite of herb
Robertine colored. II mover go with any
one I'm ashamed off, she said Indignantly;
'and as for Mr.. Wales, the shipping process
mny be conducted by the other party"
20, no doubt you feel able to manage your
own Affairs. Some folks, when they have a
little streak OF luck, act as IL 1t would never
be day with them" closing with a pet nnti-
phrasis
Now, mother, what is the use of such talk
Lot us eat our supper In peace"
And they did; after which, Robertine, hav-
ing adjusted her toilet, went to the front
windows and drew the curtains back, admit
ting the evening breezs, The sun was de-
clining and the sky Herewith gloriaed; she
stood whore It might dazzle her eyes u mo
ment, then turned away.
Smother, shall / close the f~olding.doop
Dick Ethel is coming over"
10, yes; for heavens sake, shut the doors,
SO I needn't near him EARNING. II 1 were
you / wouldn't fool away my time on such
common"
Robertine banged tho doors and lost the
remainder.
Come in, Dick" she called, through tho
wire window-netthg. Don't stop to ring.r
"You are aloner' he snid, smiling family
as he cnterod. 81 thought you might have
company"
you see for yourself l haven't
your mother is well, l hope r.
Quite; and busy, as usualn
81 met hor on the street to-day, but I do
not think she saw me"
Perhaps mott said Robertine, doubtfully,
remembering her mothers disdain for com-
mon attire. But what are you doing this
week, Dickt What is the latest romancer'
81 haven't done much,n he answered
slowly. but / have thought of so much |
would like TO do. U, / have had such beauti-
full thoughtsl Dreams that l would like you
70 share with meI'
Robertine stirred uneaEly.
81 have had thoughts, too,r she said, half
lightly. al have been thinking OF getting
married"
he looked at her in a curious way, but did
not interrupt as she went oni
Yes, l have about decided that the only
thing ] can dc IL, get married.
'Oh, Robernnel' lie said, In a shocked
voice.
"You think l am Joking, Dick, but I am
not am taking a business view OF the mat
ter. must fnd a rich husband. You zee, 1
belong TO a very good-for-nothing class; in
capable and indolent, yet ambitious for social
distinction; mediocre in talent, yet refined
in taste, while my education has been OF such
a superficial nature that the thought OF It
disgusts me"
"oh. Robertineln he repeated, dlstressfully.
'But you couldn't sell yourself-you could
not marry for money aloneP'
"Oh, dear, no. she answered, cheerfully;
mot for money alone. / must have a re-
spectable-looking husband, with n suspicion
OF brains Then, too, while She is about il,