The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-05-16

NbAOA ~ 49, -
"I Z il tho m~anIier Way % said Mr..
Lamb, with a fine air of II and
Indifference, "to offer a woman such a
life as that ?-or would II better pro
tect her from s~elf-sacrifice by keeping
silence"
That man is most fatuous who fan
cies thas a woman will not make instant
personal application of such a speech.
An ex~asperating smile of discernment
bent Miss Soulsby's lip.
Men have the ~prerogatire OF com
hitting any madness" size said; with
woman rests the veto power of self-pro-
lection against such insanity"
Are you so worldly"
81 may we'll be" said the girl, bitter
ly; II have known priyation all my life
loug-that teaches the true value OF
this worlds goods"
Involuntarily his gaze fell straight
upon her garb-sOft, rich gray, its out
lines defined here and there by broad
bands of gay Roman stripe in some vel
vety-looking wooden fabric.
II cannot conceive your having
known the need of money" he said
''few women are dressed like that
He stopped, becoming conscious how
pointed was his speech.
Few are ;" she asserted, laughing,
Happily for themselves and the peace
of households. l see. You like my
frock- men are so hort-sighed-blind
bats! You like it, and why? Be-
cause it is nicely. proportional, and it is
true to its purpose. "Do you see? ?"
She held her drapery forward naiyely.
"This is a frock for the house not the
sort or costume one would wear on the
street. Harmony, ~adaptability; that is
it, not elegance. The whole thing cost
me-three dollars"
What !"
"It is quite true. I paid that for the
gray flannel. The bright stripe was
the best portion of a worn-out shawl,
and / 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. BIT 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 a
topic SC nearly personal as this of toilet
matters. Altogether, many things go
to modify the triviality in value of dis
cussions between woman and man-on
puerile themes.
II thank you, said Edward Lamb,
almost r~everently.
But this is all In the very worst pos
pible taste" said Miss Soulsby, "sooth
to say, / am in a huge fit of disgust
thanks, no doubt, to the weather. All
this might look far more endurable by
a warmer light" with a disdainful ges-
ture, comprehending the whole room,
with its CHEEKY, make-shift decorations.
Do you know. she went on, while the
man sat speechless before her daring
or her innocence as might be- have
lately discovered in my nature a vein Of
strong sensuousness, much to my sur
prise; for / had fancied myself rather
an ascetic person. But no! / delight
in pleasant sounds, / feast on beauteous
sights, / revel in agreeable odors. Can
anything thrill the soul like delicious
accents?-the touch of grateful texture
charms mep
She put the gray eat suddenly down
upon the red brick hearth, as if with it
she decisiveiy set aside poverty, econo-
my, and$zn sordid and distasteful
things. Leaning forward, she stretched
|S,fr curving hands toward the leaping
flame.
AI could never be completely happy
wE;Ie cold,p she said, "nor utterly mis-
cradle 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 a moment since, with
her chaste cameo face aud corresponding
fingers? This was a young Lamia, full
OF all sensuous longing, opened and UNI
concealed. Edward Lamb sprang to
his feet. and whirling toward the fire,
tore from his bosom a letter he hadhid-
| den there All day it had burned there
in his breast, full ofits own admonition.
II would have put it in her hands, "
he told himself between the mufied
plunges of his heart, 1but now there is
no need. Her own speech has taught me
what she feels He dropped the letter
between the cedar logs, with O very
storm Of passions and temptations war;
ring within him. And yet--so speedily,