The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-10-02

cause it is SO nicely proportional, and
it is true to its purpose. Do you see?"
She held her drapery forward naively.
This is a frock for the house-not the
sort of II costume one would Wear on
the street. Harmony, adaptability;
that is it. not elegance. The whole
thing cost me-three dollars.
WHAT
at is quite true. | paid that for the
gray flannel. This bright stripe was
the best portion of worn-out shawl,
and had the buttons" with an air of
triumph ut conclusion.
Mr.. Lamb found something very
brave and very pathetic in tho simplic-
ity and detail OF this confession. This
endurance of vanity's modification ap-
peared heroic rs contrastcd with the
lavish expenditure of other women far
less lovely and worthy. Bat then. men
usually are willing 10 coucede great
virtue to the practicality that achieves
slightly results. If Miss Soulsby'S at
tire had been unbecoming. or if Souls
by's self had been less pleasant to the
eye, no doubt her exposition of ways
and means might have seemed sOrdid
and revolving in the extreme. Also,
! some allowance must he made for the
attitude of delightful intimacy implied
i'll condolences on 81 topic so nearly per-
sonal as this of toilet matters. Alto
| gether. many things go to moIify the
| triviality IN value of discussions-be
tween woman and man-on puerile
! themes.
But this is all in the very worst pos
sibie TASTE" said Miss SouSby, brisk
lv; ''sooth to say, | am i'll Il huge lit of
disgust-thanks, no doubt, To the
weather. All this might look far more
endurable by Il warmer light" with =
disdainful gesture, comprehendinr the
whole room, with its CHEEKY, make
shift decorations. '.Do you know"
she went on, while the man sat speech
less before her daring-or her inno-
cence, us might bel have lately dis
covered in my nature u vein of strong
sensuOusness. much to my surprise;
for | had fancied myself rather an AS
cetic person. But no! | delight in
pleasant sounds. | feast on beauteouS
sights. revel in agreeable odors. Can
anything thrill the soul like delicious
scents?-iho touch of grateful texture
charms me!'
She put tho gray cat suddenly down
upon the rcd brick hearth, as if with it
she decisivcly set aside poverty, econO-
my and all snrdid and distasteful
things. Leaning forward she stretched
her curving hands Toward the leap!ng
flame.
81 could never he completely happy
while cold" she said, NOR utterabiv
miserable with my body clad in
people can sell love and liberty-ye5,
and honor-for luxury!
Where was the reserved and maiden
! ly companion of Il moment since, with
her chaste cameo face and unres pond
ing fingers? This was Il young Lima,
full of all scnsuous longing, open and
unconcealcd. Edward Lamb spran4
to his feet, and whirling toward the
fire, tore from his bosom letter lac
had hidden there. All day it had
burned there in his breast, full of lis
own adlnnuition.
Il would have put it in her hand, y
he told himself between the muffied
plunges of his heart, but now there is
no need. Her own speech has taught
me what she feels" lie dropped the
letter between the cedar logs. with 3
very storm of passions aud temptations
warning with him. And yet-so speed
ily, so silently, are made the decision:
that determine human destiniesi-be
fore the curled and cracking ash flew
upward, black and writhinT, u strange
revulsion of feelings swept over him
and he loathed himself for the sin la
would have done.
He turned reluctant eySs on MadelOI
Soulsby, afraid and ashamed; and be
hold, she sat unconscious and as com
posed as some young saint, her gray,
brow serious and calm, her delicate
hands folded, almost if for prayer Hat
Mr.. Lamb come very near making
mistake?
Does Il man live who can battle will
temptation and overcome it. and theI
abandon the field without further DIAL
lance with evil? Is it that we like Il
parade our power and make show o
our strength?
What little creature you are!
said Edward Lamb. "HOw tall, def
initely? Stand up and let me see"
He put out his nand as if to rails,
her from the chair, but drew back shor
of her finger tips. For his life he dar
ed not presume by SO much rs tha
slight touch. She stood up as simpl,
as a child.
..What was that Orlando said abou
his lady's stature?"
Just as high as my heart, "-sh
barely breathed the words. yet with ex
quisite tenderness, incllning her heat
with movement unspeakably sNee
; and shy. until her cheek bent jus
above his throbbing heart, yet quite
apart from him.
But before her hair was stirred by
| tho SiOh frOO, hiS IrnOpiOn Inns Sh,
sprang back like a creature Mt bay, he
brow knit in Il frown, her eyes blazin!
with Indignation and reproach.
"How dare you?" she cried. "Wha
pitiful pretext! How ingenious
How full of courage."
Come in" Miss Soulsby's swee
voice followed knock at the from
door.
Mr.. Lambs associate came into tn
, room.
''Ledyard telegraphs that the line
open now and party is starting out
You have not Il moment TO spare. n
one knows how long we may be shut i
here, when once the spring tnaw set
in"
, And so before the curious. scrutiny {
! this observer. they closed the day an
, SCENE ii.
: Mr.. Edward Lamb brought to il
: close a letter, sitting in the readin
: room of q hotel in the city ut the ives
3 ern seagate. Sunday influence had d'
= layed its completion; he had just com
0 to the end of his trans-cOntinental triI
. a certain sense of freedom and elatio
I was still new enough tojntoxicate hin
1 heart and brain; he could not put OF
of his mind the sensation. when, scros
!. ing the bay from the train. he fir
4 caught sight of the city looming ahea
a like some mighty monster in bronz'
= And an acquaintance he had made r.
y strained him for time.
He was but putting pen to pape
l. when he was greeted by fellow jou
l. nalist. who presently introduced Al
II Lamb to man sitting near-a ma
= whose name stands historic in Il
records of the stale, whose position an
+ great wealth might have commando
h the Younger mans attention. Beyon