The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-05-15


and I. had the buttons. with an air Of
triumphant conclusion.
Mr.. Lamb found something very brave
and very pathetic in the simplicity and
detail of this confession. This endur-
ance of vanity's modification appeared
heroic as contrasted with the lavish ex-
penditure of other women far less
lovely and worthy. But then,
men usually are willing to
concede great virtue to the practically
that achieves slightly results. If Miss
Soulsby's attire had been unbecoming,
or if Miss Soulsby's self had been less
pleasant to the eye, no doubt her ex-
position of ways and means might have
seemed sordid and revolving in the ex-
treme. Also, some allowance must be
made for the attitude of delightful in
timacy implied in condolences on q
topic SO nearly personal as this of toilet
matters. Altogether, many things 60
to modify the triviality in value of dis
cussions between woman and man-on
puerile themes.
II thank you," said Edward Lamb,
almost reverently.
"But this is all in the very worst pos
pible taste.'' said Miss Soulsby, "sooth
to say, 1 am in huge fit of disgust
thanks, no doubt, to the weather. All
this might look far more endurable by
warmer light" with disdainful ges-
ture, comprehending the whole room,
with its CHEEKY, make-shift decorations.
| do you know" she went on, while the
man sat speeches. before her daring
or her innocence, as might be- II have
lately discovered in my nature a vein of
strong sensuousness, much to my sur
prise; for I had fancied myself rather
an ascetic person. But no! delight
in pleasant sounds, I feast on beauteous
sights, I revel in agreeable odors. Can
anything thrill the soul like delicious
accents ?--the touch of grateful texture
charms mel"
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
| fame.
II could never be completely happy
while cold," she said, "nor utterly mis-
cradle with my body clad "a warmth.
Oh, L do understand how people can
sell love and iberty-yes, and honor
for lnxury!"
Where was the reserved and maiden
~ companion of moment since, with
her chaste cameo face and corresponding
fingers? This was young LAMA, full
| of all sensuous longing, opened and un-
concealed. Edward Lamb sprang to
his feet, and whirling toward the fire,
tore from his bosom letter he had hid
den there All day it had burned there
in his breast, full its own admonition.
II would have put it in her hands,"
he told himself between the muft1ed
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 very
storm of passions and temptations war
ring within him. And yet-so speedily,
so silently, are made the decisions that
determine human destipies ?-before the
curled and revulsion of feeling swept
over him, and he loathed himself for the
sin he would have done.
He turned reluctant eyes on Madelon
COuACOy oAA6AU CSi4A <1SAaAACu, nA\A OC-
hold she sat, unconscious and composed
as some young saint, her grave brow seri
GUS and calm, her delicate hands folded,
almost as if for prayer. Had Mr.. Lamb
come very near making a mistake?
Does the man live who can battle
with temptation and overcome it, and
than abandon the field without further
dalliance without evil? Is it that we
like to parade our power and make show
of our strength?
"What little creature you are!" said
Edward Lamb. "How tall, definitely?
Stand up and let me see."
He put out his hand as # to raise her
from the chair. but drew back short of
her finger-tips. For his life, he dared
not now presume by so much as that
slight touch. She stood up as simply
as child.
"What was it that Orlando said about
his lady's stature?"
"'Just as high as my heart, '"-she
barely breathed the words, yet with ex-
quisite tenderness, inclining her head
with movement unspeakably sweet
and shy, until her cheek bent just
above his throbb1ng heart, yet quite
apart from him.
| But before her hair was stirred by
the sigh from his dropping lips, she
sprang back like creature at bay, her
brow knit in frown, her eyes blazing
indignation and reproach.
How dare you!" she cried. "What
pitiful pretext! How ingenious!
How full of couragew
What wonder that the fair Irishman
blushed for his own poor ruse to bring
her near him for moment! Was this
acting? Had she only affected just now
to discover his motive? Was his order
answered by wild rapture in her own
undisciplened heart? Or was she like
some fair saint, far above the compre-
hension of earthly passions? Could
she have used ignorantly the dangerous
phraseology of evil, as child might play
unwittingly with engines of destruction
each innocently vain of its fancied
knowledge?
"Come I'M" Miss Soulsby's sweet
voice followed knock at the door.
Mr.. Lambs associate came into the
room.
"Ledyard telegraphs that the line is
open now, and party is starting out.
You have not moment to spare. No
one knows how long we may be shut in
here, once the spring thaws set in"
| And so, before the curious scrutiny
! of this observer, they closed the day
and babe each other but a formal adieu.
| SCENE II.
Mr.. Edward Lamb brought to its
close letter, sitting in the reading
room of hotel in the city at the west
ern sea-gate. Sunday influences had
delayed it's completion; he had but just
come to the end of his transcontinental
trip; certain sense of freedom and
citation was still new enough to intoxi-
cate him, heart and brain he could not
put out of his mind his sensation, when,
crossing the bay from the train, he first
caught sight of the city looming ahead
like some mighty monster in bronze.
And an acquaintance he had made had