Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-06-08

him most happy. We shall both be
away, and why should papa not please
himself"
"But think how unhappy he will be.
You know how quiet he is in his ways
and how even little thing will upset
him. How could he live with a wife who
would make his whole life series of
surprises2 Fancy what whirlwind she
must be in house. A man at his age
cannot change his ways. am sure he
would be miserable"
Ida's face grew graver, and she pom
dered over the matter for O few minutes.
II really think that you are right, as
usual" said she at last II admire Char
leys aunt very much, you know, and |
think that she is very useful and good
person, but don't think she would do
as a wife for poor quiet papa"
"But he will certainly ask her, and l
really think that she intends to accept
him. Then it would be too late to in
terfere. We have only few days q.
the most. And what can we do? How
can we hope to make him change his
mindp'
Again Ida pondered. "He has never
tried what it is to live with a strong
minded woman" said she. "If we could
only get him to realize it in time Oh,
Clara have it, have It'll Such lovely
plan" She leaned back in her chair and
burst into q fit of laughter so natural
and 80 hearty that Clara had to forget
her troubles and join in it.
"Oh, 1t is beautifulr' she gasped at
last. "Poor papa! What time he will
havel But it's all for his own good, as
he used to say when we had to be pun
ished when we were little. Oh, Clara, /
do hope your heart won't fail you."
II would do anything to save him,
dear"
"That's it. You must steel yourself
by that thought"
"But what is your plan?"
"Oh, l am so proud of it. We will
tire him forever of the widow and of
all emancipated women. Let me see,
what are Mrs. Westmacott's main ideas?
You have listened to her more than 1.
Women should attend less to household
duties. That is one, is it notT'
eyes, if they feel they have capabil-
tiles for higher things. Then she thinks
that every woman who has leisure should
take up the study of some branch of
science, and that as far as possible ev-
cry woman should qualify herself for
some trade or profession, choosing for
preference those which have been hither-
to monopolized by men. To enter the
others would only be to intensity thepres-
ent competition.
"Quite so. That is gloriousp Her
blue eyes were dancing with mischief,
and she clapped her handsin her delight.
"What elsep She thinks that whatever
man can do woman should be allowed
to do also-does she not2"
"She says So"
"And about dress? The short skirt
and the divided skirt are what she be-
lieves in"
eyes"
"We must get in some cloth"
"Why?"
eve must make ourselves dress
each. A brand new, enfranchised, eman-
cipated dress, dear. Don't you see my
plan? We shall act up to all Mrs. West
macott's views in every respect and i'm
prove them when we can. Then papa
will know what it is to live with wo-
man who claims all her rights oh,
Clara, it will be splendid"
Her milder sister sat speechless before
so daring q scheme. "But it would be
wrong, Idal" she cried at last.
"Not a bit. 1t is to save him."
~ should not dare"
"Oh, yes, you would. Harold will
help. Besides, what other plan have
your
II have none"
"Then you must take NINE"
eyes. Perhaps you are right. Well,
we do it for a good motive"
"You will do it?"
II do not see any other way"
"You dear, good Clara! Now will
show you what you are to do. Wemust
not begin too suddenly. 1t might excite
suspioion.">
"What would you do, them"
Tomorrow we must go. to Mrs. West
macott and sit at her feet and learn all
her views"
"What hypocrites we shall feell"
"We shall be her newest and most en-
thusiastic converts. Oh, it will be such
fun, Clara. Then we shall make our
plans and send for what we want and
begin our new life."
II do hope that we shall not have to
keep it up long. 1t seems SO cruel to dear
papa"
"Cruell To save him"
81 wish was sure that we were doing
right. And yet what else can we do2
Well, then, Ida, the die is cast, and we
will call upon Mrs. Westmacott tomor-
row."
CONTINUED ON THURsDAY.]