The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-07-29

1 WOtIu IKE DADA " w
make him most happy. we shaii oo'ii
be away, and why should papa ho'
please HIMSELF"
But think how unhappy re VIII pc'
You know how quiet he his in ms ways
and how even a little thing VIII uPsS'
him. How could he V with a VIII
who would make his whole lie a series
OF surprises? Fancy what a whlGi"lno
she must be in a house. A man at MS
age cannot change his ways. l am sure
he would be miserable.
Ida's face grew graver, n she pom
dered over the matter for a few MIN
utes. Il really think that you are right
as usual" said she at last. i admire
Charles aunt very much, you know,
and | think she is "A very useful and
good person, but | don't think she
would do as a wife for poor, quiet
papa"
But he will certainly ask her, and L
really think that she intends to accept
him. Then 1t would be too late to in
terfere. We have only a few days at
the most. And what can we do? How
can we hope to make him change his
mind?'
Again Ida pondered. HE has never
tried what il is to live with a strong
minded woman" said She. IF we could
only get him to realize it in time. Oh,
Clara. 1 have It: | have 1t! Such a love-
ly plant" She leaned back in her chair
and burst into a fit OF laughter so nat
ural and so hearty that Clara a to
forget her troubles and to join in it.
"Oh, it Is beautiful she gasped at
last. Poor papa, What a time he will
have! But it's all for his own good,
as he used to say when we had to be
punished when we were little. Oh,
Clara. 1 do hope your heart won't fail
you"
II would do anything to save him,
dear"
That's it. You must steel yourself
by that thought"
But what is your plan?"
"Oh, / am Sc proud of it. We will tire
him forever of the widow, and Of all
emancipated women. Let me see, what
are Mrs. Westmacott's ideas? You have
listened to her more than l. Women
should attend less to household duties.
That is one. is IL nOt?"
Yes, If they feel they have capabiI-
tiles for higher things. Then she thinks
tHoN 'N'is "oiilhI viz ldS
should take up the study Of some
branch of science, and that. as far rs
possible, every woman should qualify
herself for some trade or profession.
choosing for preference those which
have been hitherto m~onopolized by
men. To enter the others would only
be to intensity the present COMPETE
ton"
Quite so. That is g~lorious!" Her
blue eyes were dancing with mischief.
and she clapped her hands in her de-
light. What else? She thinks that
whatever a man can do a woman
should be allowed to do also-does she
not?'
she says So"
And about dress? The short skirt,
n the divided skirt are what she be.
lieves in?"
Yes"
1--WE must get in some cloth"
"Why?'
must make ourselves a dress
each. A ~brand-new. ~enfranchise.
emancipated dress, dear. Don't you
see my plan? We shall act up to all
Mrs. Westmacott's views in every re-
spect, and improve them when we can.
Then papa will now what it is to live
with a woman who claims all her
rights. Oh, Clara, it will be splendid
Her milder sister sat sp~eechless be-
fore 50 daring a scheme But it would
be wrong, Ida" she cried at last.
Not a bit. 1t Is to save him"
Il should not dare"
"Oh, yes, you would. Harold will
help. Besides, what other plan have
you?"
Il have none"
Then you must lake mir.a."
Yes, perhaps o are right. Well.
we do II for a good motive"
You will do it?"
II do not see any other way"
You dear. good Clara. Now I will
show o what you are to do. We must
not begin too suddenly. 1t might ex.
cite suspicion"
What would you do. them"
"To-morrow we u go to Mrs.
Westmacott. and sit at her feet and
learn all her views"
What hypocrites we shall feel!"
w shall be her newest and most
enthusiastic converts. Oh, il will be
such fun, Clara! Then we shall make
our plans and sen for what we want,
and begin our new life"
Il do hope that We shall not have "a
keep 1t up long. 1t seems so cruel to
deal papa"
Cruel. To save him.
II wish l was sure that we were doing
right. And yet what else can we do.
Well, then. Ida, the die is cast, and we
will call upon Mrs. Westmacott to-
morrow"