The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-03-22


are both beautiful and wealthy; when
you fall in love see that it is man who
equals you in both" Then she thought
of the words of Keats:
Love in n cottage with water and crust
Is, Love forgive us, water. ashes, dust.
Sober thought, that fashions the out
lines of things and reveals the powder
patches of fancy, brought her to her
self, and the cold, calculating woman,
that moves in the social world and
courts the happiness Of the frequency OF
dress parades, appeared.
No ideal life for her, no ethereal ex-
istence, no self-abnegation, no thought
of exquisite bliss, no dreams of se-
cluded life, but the reality of conquest
stamped cold, disdaining look upbn
her features, and the fragrance Of the
morning aroma was wasted. Within
the secret existence Of self, yet Ethel
Ferris loved the ideal man, and Louis
Rodman was the man.
Rodman, a genius, whose path IN life
lay along the line Of daily toll AMI hard
crucial experience, turned from the
morning conversation to labor with his
hands and build fancy pictures III the
air of ideal forms and virtues. He pom
dered: Beautiful and intelligent, lovely
and coy as Arethusa; charming in man
ner and graceful in movement. | love
her, yet fear to touch, for the idol
must be worshiped, not possessed.
The Greeks never revered the house
hold gods like they did Jove. The
flower that grows on the rock beyond
my reach seems the most perfect
The summer passed and the winter
approached, but the idol of Louis Rod
mans heart was perfect. He had
planned hundred creeds and erased
every article; had seen as many more
ideal faces, and under his close analy-
sis the ideal became mere clay, of no
more interest than the face of heather
god, and at last he was forced to ex-
claim: Human nature does not satisfy
the critic of it's kind more than it does
the author of all. The idol away IS
idolized still; but, when present too
long, the idol is shattered"
Again he meets the lovely and
piquant Ethel Ferris in her luxurious
home in the city. The woman is his
highest standard, the gold she pos
sesses is to him naught but brass.
She greeted him with the loveliest,
the sweetest Of smiles. It was the old,
old story, the noblest of human pas
sions; that of love asserting itself.
Il thought you had forgotten me,
she said.
"The devoted never forget the OBJ
ject." was his reply.
II was angry that you did not come
or write"
Il am glad that you were angry"
Il am afraid the effort would not have
been pleasing to you."
Il should like to see the angry fire
leap in your eyes and consume yonr
SMILE"
81 shall grasp that idea and run away
with it if you do not talk seriously to
me-"
"Then may I ask you, how many
men have fallen before your
Mr.. Rodman, am not o Hercules
nor o Theseus."
mo, you are m Armida to-day"
"Mr. Rodman, Armida was o sor-
ceress."
"She was bewitching woman, and
compelled Rinolda to forsake all and
to devote his life to her."
"The remark does not please me-
anyhow"
Il do not try to please you."
"Why are You SO ungallant?"
"What is the use Of adding sweetness
to a rose?"
1T seems to me you have mistaken
the flower A rose has a thorn
"Yes, / know, it has pierced my
heart: until now l thought it wa:
Cupid's darts.
He was gay and erratic, corruscatinl
with wit and repartee, ever watchfu
| and critical to see if his case had an,
favorable features. He watched her
but he might as we'll have watched tn,
growth Of an apple, for Ethel was OF
her guard, and play generally met will
play.
Enthral!ed by her smile, thrilled b,
the touch of her hand, he forgot tn,
pleasures of bachelors life, forgot tn,
companionship Of the club. forgot all
save that the ideal woman stood besor,
him. and then, placing his hand on he
shoulder. he gently pressed upon he
forehead with the other, then stoope,
and kissed her for full minute.
"You are my ideal, my love. l low,
you"
Il know it," she replied archly.
''Is that the only answer you have t
give me?"
Il am the mad torrent of your exist
ence. Quench not your thirst, til
wicked enchanter's near. l am you
idol now-after a while, shattere'
one"
"Never; you are the only ideal woma
in existence"
"lou talk earnestly, but I believe tina
this is play, not love-
"Then let me speak to your father. :
IF you promise not to be estrange
by his decision
i promise you that I will always Low
you"
Remember that you are an icone
clast"
Yes. but the arm that strikes blo'
upon my favored idol will fall palsied.
Full of hope and life the two lover
entered Mr.. Ferris library. He +,
ceiyed them graciously.
In n straightforward way Louis Ro,
man told his story.
Il know you to be a worthy youn
man, but what have You to offer in G
change for my daughters hand?'
My own"
Il mean that my daughter has lare
fortune; have you an eqnivalent?'
NO, sir; l cannot buy your daught'
with gold"
Mr.. Rodman, you are impertinen
] will not admit of such talk in n
daughters presence. cannot give II
consent to my daughters union with
man without competency" Turnil
to Ethel he said: "What does II
; daughter say?"
Il love Mr.. Rodman, but whatey
you say will abide"