The Portland daily press., 1899-09-14

II didn't like my life. IL was differ.
ent from this, very different and
didn't like what the future had In store
for me. 1t would have been all gayety.
ell uselessness l had schemes by which
to benefit mankind. and thought I'd be-
gin with women. | left my home. My
people would only miss me from one
point Of view; they would not gricye
for me. l wanted very much to do some
really good work, but | mIscalculated
everything strength, my knowledge,
my money. IL was all a miserable fall
ure. L still want to work, but l want
to do it to please myself and my sur
roundings Mankind goes right out Of
my calculations hereafter What / saw
Of II hurt me, robbed me, insulted me
and landed me in the situation from
which you extricated me. Do you, eau
You. UNDERESTIMATE
mo. no: don't understand, but be-
lieve you. Do surroundings mean me-
this house-this life? Can you put up
with it?"
"Oh. yes" she whispered, leaning her
check against his. Il want peace. l
want to be taken care OF. | wasn't made
TO regenerate mankind or revolutionize
the world. 1t didn't take me long to find
that out. It's only IL weeks today since
| left my home"
Afraid I'm interrupting," said loud
voice, and large woman bounced in.
"Heslop. want to talk to you about tho
calves"
Wife. this is Mrs. Norton. our nearest
neighbor"
The woman did not look at her, but
rushed Immediately into prices. She was
evidently in an uncomfortable frame OF
mind, and though she pointedly excluded
Heslop's wife from the conversation she
was not satisfied with her performance.
sae presently went off with Heslop to in
spect something in another part of the
farm.
The light died out of the young wom-
ans face. She left her work and sat
quite still for time; then she went to
the window and looked out, and she
sighed.
Opinions pursue me everywhere. Who
could have imagined that Jane and Mrs.
Norton held any? If / had not been so
densely ignorant, / should have known
they had some, | suppose. We don't
know half enough of useful things; we
should be taught the opinions of other
classes. They vary, Of course. but
rough idea should be given. How was
to know the world was SO bad: that the
people / wanted most to help would rob
me and then turn me from their doors,
and that the people wished to elevate
would-would ruthlessly insult me? Ii it
had not been for Joseph. Dear, kind Jo-
seph. Have | made, in marrying him.
the worst OF my mistakes, | wonder?
Does his fine, true nature measure me by
what his friends think of me?'
At this moment a young fellow entered
the door, sucking a cane. He leaned
against bench and sniggered and SEEM
ed quite at his ease-and sure OF his well
come.
He scrutinized the girl from head to
foot and amiably commenced to solilo-
quize in loudish whisper. He did not
seem to desire conversation. He went
over her points admiringly-in aorid
blatant. offensive terms. II was his
killing" method and was intended to al
lure and attract. At length be mention
ed; My name is Norton. You don't
seem to know who am
This is surely lunatic asylum" the
young woman said softly. and pinched
herself to see IL she were awake. Then
she went on clearing up.
lyon may kiss me, missus-twice IL
you IKE.
MY good boy, go home. Do you hear?
Find your mother and go home"
All l see the sort you are! You're
on the lookout for the swells. You're
used to EN-. I've heard all about you.
Poor old Heslop! All the villages talk.
ing of his Madness"
Jane came bustling in.
"Ah, Mr.. Norton, it's your
The Il -
haughtily: Take your friend away,
please, and find the key OF the dairy
door. / want no more visitors"
"Hoity-toity. Let me tell you, this
door was always kept unlocked in my
mothers time"
Bah! Don't you see, Janey Heslop,
the wench wants to lock her visitors in
with her."
Heslop and Mrs. Norton passed the
dairy door just then. The girl called
them in. She was SO erect and scornful.
Joe scarcely knew her. Mrs. Norton
she said coldly, you win take your son
away. and you, Joseph. viii forbid his
ever coming here again"
My-my-son turned off this farm by
you, madam. a woman such as you; a
creature no one knows anything aboutw
Airs. Norton, stop before you go too
far. There is some misapprehension
here. i should much like to know who
put these rumors afoat about this lady
my wife? And he looked at Jane, and
he got affectionately close to the young
girl and put his hand on her shoulder.
But in spite of it she's good woman
and your superior, and you can see it,
and that's why you all dislike her, and
If she says young Norton's to go, he
goes"
There had been rush of dogs. horses
and pink coats past the farm, but il had
not been noticed in the storm. And now
an elderly man stood in the doorway.
He also was in pink"
.'Heslop. something's happened to my
saddle-by Jove--a strange picture.
What's up? | beg your pardon-Lady
Selina-is it really you?"
Eyes, Sir Archibald. C'est moi!'
God bless my soul, child To think
that should have discovered you! How
did you get here? How's your plan for
the sSublimation of the Lower Working