The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-09-15
Practical Philosophy

party, but. she was unquestionably in
teresting. We ran through art and mu-
sic and drama in half an hour. Then
we came to philosophy.
'There is such difference" said she,
'between practice and theory
1 conceded the point. She was so
charming, in fact, that wished it had
been larger point to concede. "But,"
l ventured to remark, that doesn't
make the theory wrong"
She leaned her cheek thoughtfully
upon one gloved finger, possibly to dis
play the smallness of her hand, possibly
because the pose suited her, probably
for both reasons.
''When you say that the regeneration
of the universe can only be accom-
plished by white men marrying black
women"
'And black men, white women
mo, thank you'll" She shrugged her
shoulders. "Well, as a matter of fact,
you do not care anything about the
regeneration of the universe?''
II don't believe I d." laughed.
''Nor contemplate marrying negress
yourself?''
UNFORTUNATELY my personal taste
lies so strongly in the direction of the
blonde.'' Edith had remembered this,
with her usual discretion.
If I were black you would say you
preferred ebony to ivory"
l raised my hands in protest. II as
sure you,' I averred, solemnly, II pre-
fer you as you are
But you haven't seen me any-other
how"
II am clear that improvement is i'm
possible"
She laughed delightfully."- saucy
laugh.
what stock in trade of compli-
ments you keep! I can understand
why your cousin described you as a
tonic for diffident young person-like
me-"
''There is not" I declared, "anothe1
like you so far as my experience goes
"You are putting me in a glow of
satisfaction with myself. Please go on
There ought to be one or two nice
points remaining in me-"
I regarded her with calm scrutiny
can appearance of impudence becomes
you," I said, "but-''
"But?''
$50 do all appearances"
"Pray don't think that you have ex.
hausted my appearances" She sank
back in another attitude. 'Why
you've barely known me an hour!"
"An hour" said, feeli9gly, ''of ex
quisite quality"
"An hour" she suggested, (which
should rightfully have been devoted tc
a black woman" She looked as if she
would like to add something, but re.
Trained.
''You were going to say-?''
| "Poor black woman!" Her eyes
sparkled wickedly. II don't mean it,
she fastened to add.
According to my theory" I ex
planned, "you should have been delight
ing the eyes and ears of some dusky
gentleman, and-er-'
"Poor black mani" I never saw such
a girl to laugh.
ION the contrary. If you were tt
adopt my theory l should paint myself
black
"But you wouldn't be so black as you
were painted
''Stop, stop! I'll assume that you've
paid me all possible compliments. Lee
us get down to the bedrock of seriou:
conversation"
''Umph! One so rarely gets Their.
that doubt if have any serious con
versation. You are not a missionary
in disguise, are you?"
She didn't answer for minute. I,
was curious to watch her face chang,
from merriment, through thought, tt
seriousness. First, the laughter dice
gradually in her eyes; then the littl,
curls and turns went out of her lips
then the dimples in the cheeks smooth
ed themselves out like ripples widening
into nothingness on the sea; then sh,
lifted up her head, little on one side
and looked at me with solemn child
eyes. -: 5..a y .s>a..-..= -. ..
Sometimes" she said, sadly, II wisl
were. Sometimes wish a missionar,
would come to me. get tired O.
making fun of things, and think tina
perhaps they are serious after all.''
I twirled my mustache and felt m,
own smile fading out. ''They are Sc
rious enough" I said, IF you look a
them in that way. It isn't good wa,
to look at things-things in general
i think w.. III
| ''But one looks sometimes she sail
| absently, "at things in particular, an.
feels very, very serious
Then ] said, leaning forward, ION
doesn't talk about them much. Their