Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-07-19
THE NEW WOMAN.

said I, "but you look very well when
you''- ooh, that is just it," she broke
in angrily. ''We are to be put off with
a compliment, as if one cared for looks
orr cor dresses" said I, glancing at
the pretty gown which showed beneath
the opera cloak. She WINGED Zone
must dress somehow" said Miss Lamb
ton-Hyatt coldly. ooh, yes, somehow, "
said I cheerfully. She regarded me with
scorn and little doubt. "Of course,
you think you have me in corner. But
Icould explain it all, said she. "Yes?"
I asked. eff I liked" she said, and
looked indifferently out of the window
"What station is this?" she asked. ooh,
it's all right" answered, and there
was silence in the carriage for space.
"Iwish you would see it i'll the proper
way" she began presently, turning on
me abruptly. CIVIL endeavor to- said
Ipolitely. "'Pray explain" She frown-
ed. "Well," said she, ''you must sure
~ see that the evolution of woman is
continuing She has developed great
deal'' ssOf what?" I asked. "Of moth
ing,' she exclaimed impatiently. "Her
position has developed, and she must
have more freedom Freedom" I
asked inquiringly. "Yes, freedom to
come and go, freedom to live her own
life. What is the difference, pray, be-
tween man and woman?"
"Why''- said I.
ssThere are certain differences, Ger
tainly," said Miss Lambton- Hyatt, hes
itating, "but not the great distinctions
that are vulgarly supposed. A woman
has mind, she has her own thoughts,
and she ought to pursue her own career
like man. =" 81 But marriage "-I began.
"Pooh! Marriage!' said she contemp-
tuously. eff she likes to marry, let her.
So does a man, and it does not inter-
fere with him. - ''Then woman, said
I, trying to understand, ''should be as
much like a man as may be?' Miss
Lambton- Hyatt considered. "No," she
said, ''you put words into my mouth. I
never said that "Well?' I asked.
"She ought to be as independent as a
man. said she t1iumphantly. She look
ed her triumph at me, and my eyes
wandered over her face, and to her hair
and down again to the rich silk of her
opera cloak.
'Why do you look at me like that?"
asked Miss Lambton-Hyatt irritably.
81 was thinking''-- said I. "Oh, yes,
she interrupted, ''you were thinking
that am too weak Or pretty Or fragile
to be independent. That's what men
are always thinking. It's their stock ar
gument. Argumentp' She laughed and
turned to me again. II put i'll practice
my theories she said deliberately and
watching me for the effect of the thun-
derbolt. I started. ''What do yon
mean?" I asked hastily. She nodded.
~ live my own life now,' said she.
"Whose life did you''- But there 1
broke off, for Miss Lambton-Hyatt's
handsome eyes were glittering. ooh"
I said feebly, that is Interestingly"
''Do you think, % she said, 'that am
tied to man S coattail like other girls?"
>sNo, indeed" said I, shaking my head
S'Do you think that I come and go at
any ones behest?' "No, no, I said,
shaking my head more firmly. EDO you
think that I would obey-well, you, for
instance?'' GOOD gracious, mop Isaid
in haste.
"Certainly not broke in hurried
". "See how free I am,' she went Oh
warmly, and throwing back her cloak
in her enthusiasm she waved her long,
white arms significantly about the car
rage. eyes, indeed, said, looking at
the arms. "Here I am, at II 80 at
night, returning from solitary expedi-
ton to the theater-all alone. 81 ana
here" I put in bashful1y. She looked at
me and frowned ooh, that is an ACCT
dent,'' she said, IT met you. ga for
tuaate accident, - I murmured "What?"
said Miss Lambtnn-Hyatt sharply. "For
me-" added humbly. "Well," she said,
Ssis it not far better to be quite independ-
ent like this than to be forever hang
ing upon some one sisa for what you
want, like an encumbrance?'' f'Ever SO
much better, - assented quickly.
The train rolled out of the station,
Suddenly 1eaped to my feet and thrust
down the window, "Good heavens!" l
cried.
"What's the matter?'' said Miss
Lambton Hyatt anxiously.
1 pulled in my head, shut the wins
doW slowly and sat down opposite to
her. "That was our station" I said.
She looked at me ia distress. "You
don't mean I nodded. "Unfortu-
nately, yes. %
She jumped up and pulled at the VIM
dow frantically. "Please sit down." l
said, "you can do no good now. The
train can't possibly be stopped. =" She
dropped into her seat, breathing hard.
"What will happen?" she asked.
Why said L I'VE shall have to get
out at the next station?' she said, with
note of interrogation in her voice and
some embarrassment in her manner
"This train does not stop for 20
miles, :" explained. sob" she cried,
blanching eft is the last train, % said
I, "and there's no up train before to-
morrow morning" "Ohl" she cried
again and stared at me, frightened
"What shall we do?'' she asked ia low
tones I shrugged my shoulders. "It is
a nuisance, isn't it?'' said I calmly.
"Nuisance!" she said. elbow can you
take it SO coolly? Oh, it's awful! It's
dreadful r. And she choked back q
sob and gazed at lie with a scared face.
"We can't even let them know said.
"It's too late to telegraph sob, Mr..
Somerville,' she cried broken1y, ''what
will they think?'' Perhaps they II fam
cy you staid the night i'll town. I said
soothingly. "Of course they re accusy
toned to your independent ways?"
elbow can you?" she cried Elbow I'M
kind Of you, when / am So They IL
think I'm killed." "Oh, no." said l
cheerfully, ''you mustn't think that!"
"But it's so horrible" she exclaimed
tearfnlly, "fo be here, right away from
every one!'' .'There's me-" I said.
eyes, yes; I'm SO glad you're here, :"
she cried, staring restlessly about the
carriage. "But-but-what must We
do? Oh. do say sometbing-do suggest
something!'' "We shall have to put up
at hotel,'' said T. "Hotel!'' she ex-
claimed, looking at her dress and then
at me. "But what will people think?
What wil1''- "Well, it's the same for