The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-12-30

way of a modern scraper.
Sixth ioor-R. Blackmore, drafts
man."
On the fourth floor he met the jani
tor.
"sDoes R. Blackmore live in thi
building?"
There's Miss Blackmore who hai
an Office on the sixth floor Neyel
here at night. Don't you know, man
this is holiday"'
Standish colored. ''But | thought
she lived here" he stammered-"haC
apartments, you Know
The janitor chuckled. "Miss Black
more lives at the Columbine, Washing
ton square, west"
"Whewp said SStandish.
As the hanson rolled back to Wash
ton square Standish found himself face
to face with the new woman in q new
light. Was it the true light? He haC
met Miss Blackmore on purely social
grounds, and i'm social spirit Of more
than passing interest had asked to call
and she had smilingly given him hel
business address.
Ten o'clock found standish in large
slcove room that played the double role
of boudoir and salon. In appointment
it was simple, but rich, very rich in
that which his sumptuous quarters
sadly missed, the indeiinable touch OF
a woman, the intangible aroma OF
sweetness long drawn out.
The latest magazines were on the
table. Casts from the antique and
copies of the old masters were on the
walls. In the shadow of the open
hearth was couch snothered in mul-
ticolored cushions. 4 cozy tea table,
with q singing kettle, cleaned under a
swinging lamp.
"Just in time, Mr.. Standish. / was
about to have cup OF tea. You viii
share it with me, will you not? And
rm so sorry that two can't play whist" +"
She extended her hand as if they had
parted but yesterday. Very simple and
was Miss Blackmore i'm the
flowing lines of an old rose tea gown.
But traces of tears, the first shed in a
dozen years, trembled in her dark eyes
and did not escape her New Years 5
ca ller.
when I tell you of the wild goose
chase you have given me this evening,
| trust you will parton, Miss Black
more, the tardiness of this intrusion" Z"
said Standish, relating with humorous
his reckless ride in pur-
suis Of 1s9.
His hostess laughed-a merry laugh,
with sob in its ebb.
"How long have you lived in the
Three years"
"And we have been neighbors all
tui- lii,ic. IL l. lSb SihNC Il "ChN " tAc
$50. So" said Miss Blackmore.
: One of the Christian privileges of liv-
ing in a cosmopolitan community. No
Dne knows or cares who il his neighbor
provided his comfort or his exclusive
ness is unmolested."
"And do you approve of this manner
Of living?' said Standish.
81 have never had time to give il Sc
rious thought" confessed Miss Black
more, filling his cup. "Most Of my
life is spent at lS9 Broadway"
"You would have preferred to have
seen me there rather than here among
your penates, precious boon to me, |
assure you" His fiattering eyes took
IN the woman and the environment,
Zach the complement Of the other.
spray do not misunderstood me"
aid she, with an impulsive warmth he
lad not suspected possible to so placid
IN exterior. at was force of habit
alone that prompted me to give you
nv business address. Since We are
neighbors / will be frank. 1t never
occurs to me, it hasn't for years, that
of your persuasion, any man,
desires to see me on other than busi-
ness matters. That will seem strange
% you, perhaps, and equally strange TO
women who are not part and parcel OF
his workaday world. Nevertheless it
5 true, as hundreds of women toilers
nave learned, some to their profit, more
% their loss. You see, / have never
,een without responsibilities. L WAS
.arly forced into the world to earn my
,wn living. / have created and do fill
, distinctive place in the business
world. Experience has awakened me
% the injustices that confront the wom-
IN breadwinner."
"And does it satisfy, does it pay"
Miss Blackmore paled. 1t was the
very question she had asked herself,
md in the effort to answer had shed
lie tears that had not dried when
Standish disturbed her reveries.
Why had this stranger come at this
time to learn in ten min
ties more of her inner life than did her
.losest friends? More End more she
ras beginning 70 realize that 1t did not
atisfy ner. -Aad this night, of all
,thers, when she hsd been alone, while
be whole world seemed % be review
ns friendships, the thought came 20
ler with unusual force.
"Do you believe in women voting?
Do you - to their meetings, male
.peecnes..r gasped S;andish.
No, said Miss Biackmore thought
iilly. II believe in letting woman's
> srk SPEAK for itself. All existing evils
silI be righted in time, | think, and
much speedier i. women would learn
20 talk less and labor more individual