Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-08-03
THE CHARITY BHLL.
~O~-~-O-O-O-O-OOO-
660O7HY, Mr.. Browning, you at
W anything so gay as char
49, ity batlY"

IJy Ddll
"And you, my dear Miss Erickson, at
anything 50 dismalY Mr.. Browning re-
piled.
The girl laughed and shook out the
folds of her misty pink dancing skirt,
with its ruttles and lace.
~ have just one dance left, d schot-
tische. Shall it be for your" he said
"If you will 50 honor me. But as l
can't dance anything but the waltz l
am going to ask you to come with me
to that little alcove retreat over there,
where we can talk and watch the fig
ures."
For answer Mildred Erickson laid her
gloved fingers on his arm and raised her
brown eyes to his face as they walked
away from the group of dancers now
forming for the schottische.
The little alcove retreat" was at one
end of the long ballroom, and was
massed with cut flowers and ferns. Mil
dred threw her huge bouquet of brides
maids roses her fan and lace handker-
chief down beside her and took up two
thirds of the dvan with her full skirts.
Browning sank back luXuriously in the
silken cushions at her side.
Everyone seems to be here tonight"
she said.
"Yes. Even l."
"There is Maud Jones, now, In that
pale blue chiffon. Do you know she is
to be married next week to Jack Mar
shall?"
"She? This is only her second season,
isn't it?'
Second! No, only her first" Mildred
said with laugh and shrug of her
plump white shoulders.
Her first? You are more sensible,
Miss Erickson. Why, this is your tenth
season. Don't you remember was at
your coming out tear
"Yes, and you were old themes; Just
my age now" She picked up her bou-
quiet and buried her face In the fresh
pink blossoms.
And you were In white and carried
pink roses, just like those, Mildred"
But not so large bunch" And she
began pulling the flowers out and tear
ing Off the petals, while Browning
watched her color come and go.
"And | sent them"
"And you sent them'
Browning shifted his position slightly.
"l wonder what Marshall wants to
marry that little Miss Jones for?" he
said
'As she Is not an helress, he probably
thinks he loves her. hope it does not
worry you, Mr.. Browning"
Me? Not at all. suppose you've
often wondered why I've never mar
ried."
MIldred's cheeks assumed the hue of
her roses.
III Not at all. Rather, should won
der If you did get married. am so used
10 you single, you know"
And | should wonder at It, too. l
like women. They are beautiful crea-
lures, to be admired, adored and ideal.
tied, but kept at distance II man
wants to retain his peace OF mind.
Don't you think so, Miss Erickson"
Can Mr. Browning be wrong?"
"rhank you. Now, suppose had
married when | was, say, 2S. Ten years
ago. Id have r wife who never thought
OF me or my home, but always OF her
own personality aud social engage
ments My home would be no home at
all, because | should expect things OF
her which she would never do"
Miss Erickson was unconsclously
pulling the flowers TO pieces and watch
ing Mr.. Browning with studied cour-
tesy.
Browning continued: "As II IS,
have my bachelor Hat, In which l am
King. My servants, whom no one in.
terferes with. | go and come as
please, to the club, to the opera, TO
dinners, or to Europe. My horses aud
carriages are mine, and no one ever
complains of them. My house is soil.
tude itself, unless | wish TO make IL
noisy. Don't you think am sen
slble man?"
1T really had never occurred to me.
Mr.. Browning" Mildred said, laughing
slightly.