The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-05-25
SHINING LIGHTS.
By ANNA SHIELDS

IF there IS anything does make me
fairly sick, il il to see women Who gave
fair promise Of developing noble intel
lect, dropping down to mere domestic
idiots the moment they are under the
control Of man
Miss Helen FergusOn's fnely-chiseled
nose and daintily-curved lips executed a
superb sneer, and Miss Hunt, who was
knitting socks for a newly-arrived mem
Der Of the great human family, looked
up with q smile.
Some must run the domestic affairs,
Helen she said, quietly, while the
others sttsrd 10 their great public du-
ties
Oh, II Is all very well for you 70 laugh
st me, Aunt Lizzie" Helen said, but
the fact remains there are plenty OF wO-
men Of average intelligence quite cApa-
bic of making puddings, and running do
nestle afEAirs. But when a woman like
Amabel LoEry can sit for one mortal
hour saying 'eutchy-con and 'didzy-
widy 70 a little pink idiot ofsix weeks. I
am disgusted-'
-Oh You have been to see An2bel, =
said Mrs Hunt. Do you think these
socks VIII 1T her baby
= am sure cannot tell did not ex-
anime the proportions Of that interesting
young mans feet ~ exclaimed Helen.
lofily.
4 soh little laugh from her aunt an
swered her.
Your time vii come, my dear she
said
Never. Chaunesy does not expect It
He understands that marriage between
Us Is union Of souls devoted TO lofty
aims. Of minds eager to obtain and utilize
knowledge, and he viii never expect me
to sink down TO the level Of a domestic
drudge
How about hearts in that union you
speak of27 asked Mrs Hunt.
Rubbish- said Miss Helen ~We
are not pair of love sick IDIOTS
She sailed cot Of the room as she spoke
her head well up, chin out, and shouI-
ders set back squarely. A gaunt, raw
boned old maid Of forty Not bit Of IL
A delicious maiden of nineteen, not too
tall, gracefully slender, but well rounded,
with beautiful face, large, liquid-brown
eyes a profasiou Of chestnut hair, and
dimples that were simply distracting. 4
Vasszr girl, who had graduated with
such honor as proved that the lovely
head held brain above the average ca
paeity. Mrs. Hunt laughed again when
she was alone,
what dear. absurd darling she Is -
she thought. @And Channcey Is Just a
match for her"
This was fortunate, as Chzuneey
Browne Was the promised husband Of
Helen Ferguson- lie was an enthusiast.
Having unfortunately inherited large
fortune, be had no need to exert really
fine mind, well cultivated intellect, in
any useful channel, and he took up Tari-
Gus and sundry ~eanses," and threw his
whole soul into them while the fever
lasted.
Absolutely devoted to each other, this
original pair Of lovers prided themselves
upon a philosophical contempt Of any
such nonsense as love. Not once, in their
dignifed eourting had Chsaneey Browne
descended to = compliment; not once
had be given Helen caress beyond a
regulation kiss At meeting and parting
q kiss 50 strictly conventional that they
would have exchanged it with as much
eoolness IN a crowded ballroom as IN the
privacy Of Mrs Hunts cosy parlor.
They never talked Of their future
home. Of the bower Of love and happi-
uess that i1akes the Eden Of most love
dielms. They conversed upon lofier
topis-thair work together, the noble
aims they were TO pursue hand in hand,
the philanthropic schemes they were to
make realities. It was really bewilder-
ing 20 listen and to look; to hear such
lofty ssntiments, to see such Young beau
tifal faces, soft, tender eyes, intended to
convey loves messages. kindling with
fery enthusiasm over -caussT with an
immense c.
Helen was an orphan, with small in
come Of heroxn, and her aunt's love
and wealth gave her luxurious home
She had no duties in the home circle.
Mrs. Hunt managed her own household
Affairs, and being in perfect health and
fall Of energy, did not call upon Helen
for any service, content 10 see her hap
py in her own way, careful only to see
that her way never led her cot of the con-
zines Of wOmanly prOpriety- She went
With her TO the lectures on First Aid to
The Injured" :" she attended the -Wo-
mans Temperance Mission" On the reg
uIar meeting evenings; she contributed
TO the Flower Mission" the Working
Woman's Art Class the -Bezuty for
the Masses lectures Wherever Hoien's
radiant, lovely face was seen, Mrs Hunts
more matured beauty was also to be
found
And how. Helen worked She gave
weekly lecture to the @Art Glass; and
h,,1tas IN her authorities IN the pubIie