The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-10-01
CHAPTER XyII-CoHtinue

rretful to sit here amid so much COM
fort and luxury, and remember the many
victims of the world 5 injustice. You
could never imagine, Brian, what pas
sionate delight that poor little crippled
girl took in the few flowers | carried
her: and, while | watched her. | could
not help thinking what revelation
sight of Elmwood would be to her. l
have been thinkin of it ever since. SO
many p ans have filed my heart,
but they are all impossible. | feel SO
helpless aud-rebellious Doctor, you
are smiling. | don't think you quite
enter into my feelings. Can you
mag ne woman living on the pro-
ceeds of button holes, at a cent and
half apiece? Agnes mother supports
herself So She is satisfied, she told
me, when button holes are pl. nty.
But now they arc not. HOOKS and eyes
have taken their place. | told Nanny
the other day that | liked hooks and
eyes. Now | hate them, because |
know they have taken bread from at
least one woman's mouth. And She is
not alone | feel that | have been liv-
ing in small corner OF the earth up
to this time, and ! am only Just
awaking 10 real actual life. 1t is a sad
revelation for me. | cannot tell you
how many women I saw to-day, and
how many others | heard of, who sing
the Song Of tie Shirt from daylight to
midn ght-to whom its heart break
and want are a living reality. How
can we talk of the decentralization OF
the lower classes? How can we preach
10 them? Shall We initiate the eX-
ample Of the man who gave Bible
when the starving woman aSkei Tor
bread We forget our souls when the
ody is hungry; at least, l should.
But, if ! We're one OF those women,
wearing out my life for putance, L
should not forget that the man for
whom / starved livel in : palace. and
en- owed the luxuries purchased with
my life-hlood. The world admres
eu h men, and calls them fortunate and
successful, because they have made SO
much wealth in a few years; but l am
very much afraid that, if | We're in
their place, | should see a wan, hungry
face on every dollar.
Isn't that rather severe, Mrs. Leigh?'
Margaret did not meet Wilson's eye
as she answered this question.
rhaps it is. I'm afraid I always
express myself too strongly. These
things appeal to me so forcibly, and
when | feel, feel intensely.
Then take MY advice and don't go
among them" observed Brian, practi-
caily. 1t is not true philosophy to seek
out the dark side of life. This is not
home, and you cannot be sure into what
sort OF places your wanderings may take
you, or what kind OF characters you may
meet.
fll n
4 do not chance upon much refine
ment and elegance, she said presently;
Tut that does not affect me in any way
| feel that | could take the hand of the
worst creature on earth and not be low
cred. You know | have a prejudice
against those people whose excessive
goo mess shrinks from contact with
uthers-not always so much worse, only
more unfortunate than themselves.
They are the PhariseeS, who thank God
they are not as Their neighborS are.
Suppose W. should initiate them. | like
TO See the picture Of the woman cling
ing 10 the cross, and ! confess | find it
inspiring: bat at the same time, | can
not help thinking that the woman who
holds out her hand to an unfortunate
sister is more helpful and more noble.
Ii the world thinks otherwise | disagree
with it. Don't draw down your lips in
that pathetic way, Brian. This isn't a
sermon. | sha'n say another word.
Margaret settled back in her chair,
with an air Of determination that rather
amused Wilson.
Il am on your side Of the question, :"
he replied, with smile. so is Brian,
il he chooses TO admit as much.
I'm incal able of any admission Just
now, put in Brian. | an wholly lost
in admiration of Margarct's facility for
disposing OF all opinions not her own,
and marching on to victory. She has a
Way of bringing out her closing remarks,
which says quite decidedly There,
that's final. Dispute if You dare, 1t is
useless To say oh, Brian Margaret.
The fact is true. You have most
astonishing tenacity for your own ideas.
You can out-argue the greatest logician
on earth. Out-talk him, | should say.
Thanks for the correction. Your
distinction Is delicate, but obvious. 1t
would be too much, | am sure, for any
man 10 give a woman credit for an
ability to argue. ! wonder what poor
men will do, when they are forced to
recognize woman'S mental equality.
Perhaps even then they will continue to
indulge in witty satire. at her expense
We forgive them. To lecture us affords
them innocent amusement, and they
really haven't the grace to echo Char
lotte Broute's prayer: When l have
nothing 70 say, may the Lord give me
grace 10 be silent
You have US cutie defeneeless, Mrs
Leigh. Brian has not word TO say,
ana l am but little letter. How are We
TO find consolation fog your unflattering
opinion
"You would not be a true man, Doc
tor, il You did not find ii within your
self. ha often thought that you are
the natural follower Of Descartes.
Theoretically and practically you find
the ego all sufficient
Worse and worse. laughed Wilson,
And Brian reioices in my discontinue
Shall regre. being a NAM
BY no means, returned Margaret.
1t Is the next best thing II being a
woman. You have the easier side of
life too We have the harler. The
lion : share o. suffering falls on us. and
W. must see our duty under the most
painful circumstances. 4 man NAV be
blind. Indeed, he usually is blind when
it, wants to be; but it would be quite
reprrhensitle for woman To pretend
defective vision in similar circumstan-
ceS. So there i some consolation for
you Am driving You away. Doctor"
By no means. re :oined Wilson. who
had risen at her question. and now stood
looking down upon her with a quizzical
light in his eyes. I am only sorry l
can not sit longer; but your sweeping
accusation against the convenient blind
ness of men reminds me that l have a
patient waiting for NE down the street;
and as thai is a duty to which can not
Ge blind, / shall have TO say good might
admit there Is much justice in your re-
mark. Nevertheless, l hope that time
may improve Your opinion OF u poor
men. Brian. any moments YOU have 10
spare. remember and pity my lonely
state.
Iou don't deserve pity on that score. -
reIoIned Erian, promptly. You know
the remedy and refuse 70 apply it"
Wilson laughed in answer. and saying
Goodnight, he left them