The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-03

lndlnerence. TO oHer q woman Sucn n
life as thatp-or would one better pro-
tect her from self-sacrifice by keeping
silence"
That man Is most fatuous who fan
cies that woman will not make in
slant personal application of such q
speech. An exasperating smile of dis
cernment bent Miss Soulsby's lip.
'.Men have the prerogative of COM
hitting any Madness" she said; ''with
woman rests the veto power of self
protection against such insanity"
''Are you SO worldlyp"
81 may we'll be-" said the girl, bit
terry; 81 have known privation all my
10 long-that teaches the true value
OF this worlds goods"
Involuntarily his gaze fell straight
upon her garD-soft, rich gray, its out
line defined here and there by broad
bands of gray Roman stripe in some
velvety looking wooden fabric.
~ cannot conceive your having
known the need of money" he said.
''few women arc dressed like that"
He stopped, becoming conscious how
pointed was his speech.
Sew are," she asserted, laughing,
''happily for themselves and the peace
of their households. see. You like
my frock-mon are so short sighted
blind Bats! You like it, and whyp Be-
cause it is SO nicely proportional, and
1t is true to its purpose. Do you see?"
She held her drapery forward naively.
"This is frock for the house-not the
sort of costume one would wear on
the street Harmony. adaptability;
that is it, not elegance. The whole
thing cost me-three dollars"
"Whatr'
at is quite true. l paid that for tho
gray flannel. This bright. stripe was
the best portion of a WORKOUT shawl,
and had the buttons" with an air Of
triumph at conclusion.
Mr.. Lamb found something very
Grave and very pathetic in tho SIMPLE
ity and detail of this confession. This
endurance of vanity's modification APP
peared heroic rs coptrasted with the
lavish expenditure of other women far
less lovely and worthy. But then, men
usually are willing TO concedc great
virtue to tho practicality that achieves
Sl2utiI ICSuItS. IL NllSS COuiSOl - az
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 tho extreme. Also,
some allowance must be made for the
attitude of delightful intimacy implied
in condolences on n topic so nearly per-
sonal rs this of toilet matters. Alto
gether, many things go to modify the
triviality III value of discussions-be-
tween woman and man-on puerile
themes.
"But this is all in the very worst pos
sible TASTE" said Miss Soulsby. brisk
ly; "sooth to say, am in n hugo fit of
disgust-thanks, no doubt, to the
weather. All this might look far more
endurablc by II warmer light" with q
disdainful gesture, comprehending 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, rs might bel have lately dis
covered in my nature vein of strong
consciousness, much to my surprise;
for had fancicd myself rather an as
celtic person. But no! / delight in
pleasant sounds, feast on bcauteous
sights. revel in agreeable doors. Can
anything thrill tho soul like delicious
scents?-the touch of grateful texture
charms men'
She put the gray cat suddenly down
upon the red brick hearth, as if with it
she decisively set aside poverty, econo-
my and all sordid and distasteful
things. Leaning forward she stretched
her curving hands toward the leaping
flame.
II could never be completely happy
while cold," she said, NOR utterably
miserable with my body clad in
warmth. Oh, do understand how
people can sell love and liberty-yes,
and honor-for luxury!"
Where was the reserved and maiden
ly companion of moment since, with
her chaste cameo face and unrespond-
ing fingersP This was q young Lima,
full of all sensuous longing, open and
unconcealed. Edward Lamb sprang
to his feet. and whirling toward the
fire, tore from his bosom letter he
had hidden there. All day it had
burned there in his breast, full of its
own admonition.
II would have put it in her hand"
he told himself between the muffled
plunges of his heart, ''but now there is
no need. Her own speech has taught
me what she feels" He dropped the
letter between the cedar logs, with a
very storm OF passions and temptations
warning with him. And yet-so speed
lily. SO silently, are made the decisions
that determine human destinies!-be-
fore the curled and cracking ash flew
upward, black and writhing, strange
revulsion of feelings swept over him,
and lie loathed himself for tho sin he
would have done.
He turned reluctant eyss on Madelon
Soulsby, afraid and ashamed; and be-
hold, she sat unconscious and rs COM
posed as some young saint, her grave
brow serious and calm, her delicate
hands folded, almost If for prayer. Had
Mr.. Lamb come very near making
Does man live who can battle with
temptation and overcome it, and then
abandon the field without further dali
lance with evilP Is it that we like to