The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-06-25
6Y a. CONAN DoXZH

Mrs. Westmacott were pacing up and
down the lawn. the lady waving her
racket as she emphasized her remarks,
and the doctor listening with slanting
head and little mods Of agreement.
Against the rails at the near end Har-
old was leaning in his flannels talking
to the two sisters, who stood listening
to him with their long dark shadows
streaming down the lawn behind them.
The girls were dressed alike in dark
skirts. with light pink tennis blouses
and pink bands on their straw hats. so
that as they stood with the soft red
of the setting sun tinging their faces,
Clara. demure and quiet, Ida, mischiev-
Gus and daring, 1t was group which
might have pleased the eye Of more
exacting critic than the old sailor.
Eyes. he looks happy, mother" he re-
peated, with chuckle. "It was not so
long ago since it was you and I who
were standing like thai, and don't
remember that we were very unhappy,
either. 1t was croquet in our time. and
the ladies had not reefed in their skirts
quite so taut. What year would 1t be?
Just before the commission Of the Pencil
ope."
Mrs. Hay Denver ran her fingers
through his grizzled hair. "It was when
you came back in the Antelope, just be-
fore you got your STEP"
"Ah, the old Antelope! What a clip.
per she was! She could sail two points
nearer the wind than anything of her
tonnage in the service. You remember
her mother. You say her come into Ply
mouth Bay. Wasn't she a beauty?"
''She was indeed, dear. But when I
say that I think that Harold is not
happy mean in his daily life. Has it
never struck you how thoughtful he is
at times. and how absent-minded?"
I'm love, perhaps. the young dog. He
seems to have found snug mornings now
at any rate"
II think that 1t is very likely that you
are right. Willy" answered the mother
seriously.
But which Of them?"
II cannot tell.'
"Well. they are very charming girls.
| both Of them. But as long as he hangs
in the wind between the two it cannot
be serious. After all, the boy is four.
and-twenty, and he made five hundred
pounds last year. He is better able to
marry than was when I was Neuten-
ant"
/
now" remarked the observant mother.
Charles Westmascott had ceased to
knock the tennis balls about, and was
chatting with Clara Walker. while Ida
and Harold Denver were still talking by
the railing with little outbursts of
laughter. Presently a fresh set was
formed, and Doctor Walker. the odd
man out, came through the wicket gate
| and strolled up the garden walk.
Good evening, Mrs. Hay Denver"
said he, raising his broad stray hat.
May I come IMP"
Good evening, doctor! Pray do"
"Try one Of these" said the admiral,
holding out his cigar-case. "They are
not bad. I got them on the Mosquito
Coast. was thinking of signaling to
you, but you seemed so very happy out
there"
"Mrs. Westmascott is a very clever
woman" said the doctor. lighting the
cigar. "By the way. you spoke about
the Mosquito Coast just now. Did you
see much Of the Hyla when you were
out there?"
"No such name on the list" answered
| the seaman, with decision. "There's
the Hydra, harbor defense turret-
ship. but she never leaves the home
waters
The doctor laughed. 1--WE live in two
separate worlds" said he. 1.-THE Hyla
is the little green tree frog, and Beale
has founded some Of his views on pro-
toplasm upon the appearances Of its
nerve cells. It is a subject in which I
take an interest
'There were vermin Of all sorts in the
woods. When have been on river serv-
ice I have heard it at night like the
engine-room when you are on the
measured mile. You can't sleep Tor the
piping, and croaking, and chipping.
Great Scott! what a woman that is!
She was across the lawn in three jumps.
She would have made captain Of the
foretop in the old days."
"She is very remarkable woman"
"A very cranky one.'
"a very sensible one in some things"
remarked Mrs. Hay Denver.
look at that now" cried the adj
miral. with lunge Of his forefnger at
the doctor. "You mark my words,
Walker, II we don't look out that wom-
an Will raise mutiny with her preach
ing. Here's my wife disaffected al
ready. and your girls will be no bet
ter. We must combine, man, or there's
an end Of all discipline"
mo doubt she is little excessive in
her views" said the doctor. "but in the
main think as she does"
Bravo. doctor!" cried the lady.
What, turned traitor to your sex!
Well court-martial you as a deserter."
"She is quite right. The professions
are not sufficiently open to women. They
are still too much circumscribed in their
employments They are a feeble folk.
the women who have to work for their
bread-poor. unorganized, timid, TAX
Ing as favor what they might demand
as right. That is why their case Is
not more constantly before the public,
Tor II their cry for redress was as great
as their grievance it would fill the world
to the exclusion of all others. It is all
very well for US to be courteous to the
rich, the refined, those to whom life is
already made easy. 1t is a mere form,
trick Of manner. If we are truly
courteous, we shall stoop to lift up
struggling womanhood when she really
needs our help-when it is life and dea Tn
to her whether she has it or not. And
then to cant about 1t being unwomanly
IN TIT,