People's voice., 1899-07-27

1t, II seems quite possible that may at
one time have held and expressed such
view myself. Your proviso, however,
helps my side of the question"
in what way?"
"By asking for rare combination OF
virtues in the man."
"How do you mean?"
you said he should be noble and
brave and generally worth looking up
to-"
"Are those qualities rare?"
"Rare enough, ! fear. l think there
are not many of us who could fill the re-
Quirements. But to return to Miss
Bradfern: You think she will be on the
governing hand, do you?"
Perhaps not quite that, but I'm very
sure she has some-shall we call them
convictions?-that will make Mr.. Ra-
, leigh very uncomfortable. One of them
is the idea that it is part of her mis-
sion to bring about the social recog-
milton Of the negroes" She said mig
gers" but the provincialism bore no
contemptuoUs accent.
The remark caught Ringbrand off his
guard and he said: There is room for
reform along that line, isn't there?"
That depends very much upon the
point of view." Hester drew herself up
and shade of austerity came into her
manner. I'm not quite sure how you
! regard it in the north, though papa says
you make no distinction-or, at least,
not very much. With us the question
mas been definitely settled for a long
time"
He was besotted enough to try to
argue the point with her. Don't you
think that much of the objection to So
cial equality on the score of the color Of
persons skin is prejudice? ?" he asked.
"You are at liberty to call it that or
anything else you please" she an
Swered, with chilly preciseness, "and
there is nothing to prevent your put
ting yourself upon an equality with our
servants if you feel so disposed"
I'm sure l don't wish to do that,
though I'm quite as certain that the
question of color or race would not pre-
vent me. l think the negroes in the
north are given all the social rights
they expect or deserve; they are at
least the social equals of white people
in their own class"
Hester rose and stosd before him
with sparkling eyes andGushed cheeks,
and he forgot all about the argument
in his admiration of her superb lowell
ness. That's just it," she exclaimed;
you all are quite willing to let the ne
groes take their chances in the north,
but you try to compel US to accept
them as equals, withoutregard to class,
whether we want to or not"
1t was not their first difference, and
Ringbrand smiled. you are Of the
south, aren't you, Miss Hester? wish
you would teach me how to be enthus-
iastic," he said, mildly.
at would be hopeless task" she re.
Piled.
"I'm not so sure about that. think
it would depend upon the teacher"
'But you would be enthusiastic OF
the wrong side, if did"
Perhaps you might convert me il
the process"
Il am afraid that isn't possible; ant
then it wouldn't be honest Of you to lei
me-" she added, with feminine incon
sistency,
Ringbrand smiled complacently. {"
like that" he said. 81 shall try here
after to be both enthusiastic and loya
to my section"
Thinking about this conversation
when she was braiding her hair befor
her mirror that night, Hester blushe,
when she remembered how emphati
she had been. Il hope he didn't thin
) ! was inhospitable and rude" she said
speaking softly to herself; "but h
doesn't know how his cool way of as
serting himself irritates one. And
= was almost angry, too; I'm sure wa
going to say something spiteful; bu
there was look in his eyes that sal
no, just as plainly as could be. He a
ways looks at me that way when II
about to say something mean, and the
: / can't go on. / wonder-but tina
: would be ridiculous; he ought to ma,
ry Vassar girl at the very least; SOM
body with calm gray eyes and fluffy hal
a girl with advanced ideas and all tha
and with plenty of intellect, so 81
could help him in his work. That ism
much like you, is it?" speaking to Il
\ reflection in the mirror; you're not
ing but an enthusiastic, impulsive cou
try girl, with coarse black hair"-sl
drew one of the shining braids ov
i her shoulder to look at it-"and ey
trows that make ne think of the pi
:, ture OF Beatrice in the big Shakespea
- downstairs-only she's pretty al
you're not"
;; Mirrors do not always tell the trut
:. and Hester's must have been a We
M Ananias OF looking-glass if it refe,
., ed any such distorted likeness Of t
w embodiment of sweet, wholesome wo
he anhood standing before it; there VT
- strength and pride in every line of I
beautiful face and perfect form, but
-. was the strength that harmonizes W
y, grace and purity, and it was the pr
bo than abhors mean things and scol
~ the ignoble arts OF deceit and subt