Middletown transcript., 1893-08-05

'AaW ::s ::s.. :''! :'s''s' : !
again. But tn
point make an
the one which am prepared to cling I
is, tsat Independence does not make
wo han the least bit more charming"
THAT is for you men to say, Ger
tainly." returned the pretty girl On tn
other side of the room, with decisiv
snip of her scissors as she trimmed /,
dying leaf off one of the geraniums il
the window, ''for Of course We canno
judge for ourselves. But never knew
agirl, who became really independent
to lose one iota of the fascination she
first had, no matter. how charming she
was at first; and even you won't deny
that independence adds greatly to ouI
stock of common sense and worldly
wisdom.'
"Undoubtedly; but the man doesn't
want to come home to his 'woman-folk
feeling he has to keep his brightest wits
about him unless be wants to be picked
up every word he says, or to be re-
minded that his sister or his wife really
owes him very little. It gives man
the pleasantest feeling in the world to
think that some one is dependent upon
him all the time; he feels a responsi
bility which Mould otherwise be entirely
absent. He doesn't want to mentally
cross swords with the woman he has
married the minute he cr,sses the
threshold after hard days work; he
doesn't even care to discuss business
affairs with her. What he wants and
what he usually marries for is to have
place where be may find sympathy and
love, and nothing much else"
The girl laughed softly and raised her
pretty brows.
"Wlat an intellectual household you
must have in mind!" she cried. "Why,
would you drive us back to the mental
slavery we once endured-to be mere
puppets with simpering manners and
pretty faces, and with penchant for
working those outrageous old samplers
or else 'men's rninp'"
"We would, answered Ingram cross
ing the room with his hands deep in his
pockets, and his kindly eyes beaming
behind his glasses, 'if we could thereby
rid the world Of this oyer-developed
idea OF the eternal and complete indie.
pendence of womankind. 1t is right
and proper for you girls to know how
to turn an honest penny in case the
presents itself, but when it |
comes to earning your own livings,
whether it is necessary or not, when
you 60 out into the mercantile world |
and mingle with the coarser elements
Of it as you have to do, it brings you to
the level of the men who constitute
that element, and the inevitable result |
Is that women are not and cannot be
looked up to as they once were.'
Miss Lovelace turned on him with a
little motion, and he hastened
10 add: ~ am quite aware that my
IDEAS are very old-fashioned and not to
be given an independent thought, but
hey are none the less sincere" ("
'Then the only way, in your opinion,
hat we may obtain and hold the respect
If mankind is to return to the blank
of our great.grandmothers
to the clinging vine about the tower
ng oak idea, as it were? How unrea-
,onable of you, Mr.. Ingraml A man Of
luch otherwise progressive ideas should
be more liberal and advanced
lpon the subject of the rights of
yomen."
Ingram shrugged his shoulders.
"lf it goes much further" he an
wered, laughing and quite ignoring the
compliment upon himself. ''the cry will
hange to that of mems rights From
he manner in which the girls are fill
ng the places formerly occupied by
nen-"
"There! knew we would come to
he meaning of 1t all soon. The truth
) you fear for 'Othello's occupation,
% you not? Is this not the reason
ghy you are so severe upon the weak
Yomen' who desire to live and to earn
hat livingP"
Ingram colored angrily.
s'It is quite plain you do not choose
0 understand me-" he said, shortly.
L think you will in the end, however,"
"Please do not be offended" she
egged, as they moved toward the door.
II am sorry if l have hurt-you are
oing7"
Yes he answered. ''Is there any
hing 1 can do for you down streetY Q
,r are we too independent even to
end men on errands Of Importance"
moo, I suppose not, though mans
,emory is usually Of mans life thing !
part-far apart she said smiling.
/ believe everything is ordered for the 8
ay, thank you."
ingram was looking down at her as .
be spoke.
"What girl you are" he said, 8
and then before she rea'- =
ne slim and iower-stained hand in his y
pd kissed 1t gently. She turned upon 9