The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-07
NEW WOMAN'S OFFER.

with her was Lizzie Adams. a friend and
confdant. The girls had talked of drives
operas and other occasions of amusement
and entertainment until the conversation
began to flag, when Lizzie CHANGED to call
to mind piece of news which she thought
might interest her companion:
by the way, Kate, have you heard that
Frank Ormsby is about to leave us?''
Kate was startled from thoughtful
mood, and a slight catch was perceptible
in her breathing.
CDR Ormsby to leave us?'' she said.
Eyes, but it does seem SO odd to call
him DOCTOR resumed Lizzie, smiling,
ian old sehoolmate and playfellow. It's
pity he couldn't have more encourage
ment here.''
''And Frank-Dr Ormsby-Dr. Orms-
by-will leave us?''
Eyes. He is going out west He says
he will seek some resting place where he
can grow up with it,
fAnd 1 suppose he is quite happy in the
prospect of the changer
"No, should say not. On the contra
~, he appears to me to be rather down
hearted. think he finds it hard to sever
his connections with the old place.
Kate was an heiress, and she was good
and beautiful. Kate's own mother died
when Kate was only years old, and aft
er that the child was taken in charge by a
sister of Captain Pelby who CHANGED to
be woman of sound sense and Judgment.
In time Captain Pelby married again.
But he lived not long to bless his second
wife. When he knew that he was dying,
he sent for his attorney and dictated his
will. He left everything to his daughter,
simply providing that his wife should re-
ceive 81, 600 year during her life.
And so at the age of 10 Kate was left
the mistress of an ample fortune and mis-
tress of herself as well, though she defer
rod fr1 hQF Gfp of MFG off Oa1t NV
was very wroth when she learned the ma
ture of the will, but she did not openly
rave. She resolved that she would mold
and fashion Kate after her own will.
And then Mrs. Peter had another plan
in view. She had nephew. II she could
bring about union between this nephew
and Kate, she would be mistress of the
situation. And to this end she worked.
Kate was now 20 and was not blind to
her stepmother's plans.
A society had been organized in Beach
haven for the promotion of woman s rights.
OF this society Miss Lipwel1 was president,
and Mrs. Peter Pelby was vice president.
Great efforts had been made to induce
Kate to join and give it her influence.
What glorious thing if they could gain
portion of her wealth to the sustaining of
the causel Her stepmother gave her no
peace. 1t had come at length that Kate
heard nothing at home but praises of the
thick sku1led nephew and prayers and Pc
titions in behalf of the Woman's Amelio-
ration society.
But this was not the worst. While Kate
was wondering why DIR. Ormsby did not
call and see her before leaving town she
received from him a note in which he
wrote that he would have come to bid her
goodby, but her stepmother had, in effect,
forbidden him the house.
n no. o. hat To-
met at Mrs. Peter Pelby's and Kate could
not well refuse to be present. A great
deal was said and done in which she could
feel sort of interest and not little
Disguised her. At length the presidents
addressed the meeting.
Just look at it!'' vociferated the spin
ster president. ''Behold the state of deg
radiation to which woman is reducedI She
cannot even select her own husband. Like
thing without Judgment or sense-like
a mere clock, without heart feeling
she must remain in the corner and await
the lord of creation, who may come to Sc
lect heri She may love with all her heart,
but she must not tell of it. Who has given
to man this right of tyranny over the af
fections of woman? Why should woman
be deprived of the right to tell her own
love and assert her claim to a returning
love? If woman would assert her right in
this respect and dare to make pro4fer of
her hand where she had given her heart,
there would not be SO many i'll assorted
marriages, so much misery, so much soul
soaring cruelty and infdehty.
Vociferous applause followed this ap-
peal. They all seemed delighted. But
| upon none had the words made a deeper
impression than upon Kate.
Miss IIpwen had made a convertl
Ormsby, in the midst of his arranging
md had
ed his 1abors ana taken seat upon the
sofa in his little Office. He had come
across a morocco case, had opened it and
had found within a photograph of Kate.
He sat with the picture in his hands when
there came a gentle rap upon his door,
and he said:
"Come i'm
Kate Pelby entered.
"Miss Pelbyl''
She saw how he trenbled. She saw
the picture that he held. If there had
been thought of faltering in her purpose,
that thought was banished.
'tFrank,'' she said, with the mighty
strength of pure heart and mighty re-
solve summoned to- her support, you
must not speak. You must not interrupt
me. I have come to tell you something,
and want you to sit down and listen.''
The young doctor sat down, and Kate
took seat near him.
my dear Frank
What in the world did she meanP He
looked the question.
81 have become convert TO the doctrine
of woman's rights, and our society has de-
cided that woman has as much right to
offer and ask for blessings as man has.
They tell me you are going away, and yet
you did not come to see me. You said
that my stepmother had forbidden you
She Is not my guardian, nor does she own
even place in that house save such as L
give to her STAY FrankI Dnn,t onI