The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-26

make early In life," said Miss Judith
Mansfield, aged 2l, "is they form no de-
cided plans to which they are 'prcpsred To
adhere. They allow their whole career to
be governed by circumstances, and so
nine-tenths of all the people know when
they come to die that their lives have been
utter failures"
Precisely 4" replied Eugene Seymour,
her aunt's stepson, TO whom tho remark
was principally addressed. But, my dear
young lady have you ever laid any plans
that you expect to adhese toy'
Il have" said Judith, speaking now
for the benefit of her uncle and aunt a~d
her two cousins, Alma and inertia, though
her conversation was apparently directed
solely TO Eugene. II intend to 90 next
week to the city Of W and begin tho
study Of art When have learned oil
can in America 1 intend to go abroad.
After two Or three years / shall return
and open a studio. shall then devote
my life to painting and perhaps to sculp..
ture. For recreation / shall study music
and literature The learned languages
shall be acquired ono by one. 1t Is nay am
bition to establish n salon TO which tho
cultivated the refined and the famous
will be attracted.
II see no difficulties in the way" said
Eugene, stretching his legs comfortably
before the cheerful fire. for 1t was winter
and the cold was intense. "Your fortune
is very large and the fact that you are q
woman and used to the ways OF tho world
will be greatly In your favor"
Sarcastic, as usual, " replied Judith,
with an impatient shrug of the shoulders.
You mean that, as my income Is cSac,ly
$500 year, and being n woman and hith-
erto deprived OF tho advantages OF travel,
AID hence of all knowledge OF tho outsid,
world, shall, Of course, fail in my IN
dertaking; that my only wise course
would be 10 remain here inactive and con-
sumcd with discomfort.
why Inactive and consumed with dis
content?" echoed Eugene in vexcd tone
'Some women are born enignas especial
~ II they are fairly we'll educated and in
telligent No wonder woman is endowed
with less brains than man 1t would be
a blessing II the average weight of her
thinking machine were a5 ounces instead
of 35.
'You would have us but one remove
from idiocy,' resortcd Judith. "But it
would be too tircsomc to try to prove TO
you the folly OF making such n remark
One might rs well attempt to argue with
man who insists that two and two are
three
"That my reasoning is correct we have
here positive proof" said Eugene, glanc-
ing at his sisters "Ilcrc are Allie and
Mcrt. Neither of them has two ideas
above goose
"Oh, you wretch cried both girls in
orcath.
And I'll wager IL the three of you are
alive 20 years from now" added the i'm
pcrturbablo Eugene, "that they will both
No ,,te 20 nsoIo1 10
mother, and be harry and contentcd with
their homely spouscs and their chuckle
headed children, while you'--
stop, cnoughp' cried all three of the
girls this time
"Will, proceeded Eugene, "be plodding
along single handed in dingy studio with
fame as far as ever beyond your grasp
and domestic happiness your unrealized
dream
II shall not" said Judith positively.
People will only know you by that time
as the bachelor cousin of Judith Mans.
field, the famous artist who lives an in.
dependent life"
Her unclo by this time was nodding in
his huge willow chair, but her aunt sat
bolt upright and looked steadily down at
her knitting.
"You are very foolish girl, Judith"
cit e,liu fttotF NOilbtT IL YOU hilON
how foolish and upgrateful you arel"
II know appear so TO you, aunt" said
Judith, with quivcring lips. "For ten
years you have been mother 10 me. To
leave the home that he's been so dear to
me is-far-harvlor than-you can ever
know" Sne was Obliged to rause foi
some moments. But my destiny can
never be worked out here. I"
Your destiny should bo marriage. Wa
all know thar you have slighted two splcn
did opportunities
Judith sank back in her chair with an
expression of disgust
II cntrcat you not to mention that sub
jcct, aunt, A" che said in a tone of respectful
imraticncc. 1T is extremely distasteful
to ne. "
And may inquire whyS'
"Chicfy because marriage is too sacred
thing TO bo publicly discussed.
Your uncle is asleep, and | am sure
you need not care for Eugene and tho
girls. F"
"No, indeed. mother" cried Eugene,
giving his cousin u quizzing glance, she
-necd not mind us ut ALL Tor, Us has been
said, / am but cynical bachelor ard my
sisters are SO busily engaged with plans
for trapping some wary man for them
selves that their small Eliads have no
space for the affairs OF others
Il confess said Allie, with pctulant
air, IL cannot understand how Eugene
tan have so poor an opinion OF his sisters,
while he himself is so magnanimous so
high minded and incapable of intrigue" "
1T all lies in nutshell. however, said
Eugene calmly. II am man and there
fore incapable off,
Being just to others, added Merta, in
spccting the toes of her tiny shoes. II
will, say, though ms we arc discussing
the matter, that .Iudith'S views strike me
O. being littlc peculiar. Ir either ar.
White or Mr.. Stanton had asked mo -
marry him, should not have refused, as
she did. ="
How do YOU know refused eitlf.r Of
thcmY" asked Judith, with glance of dis
pleasure.
From their wocbcgone countenanccs
after the ball I am certain that you re-
f,,sod both of thcm nt Iottic shtOn =