Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-06-20
THE CHARITY BILL.

III THE CHARITY BRIL-. NJ
So==----
. o60OnHY, Mr.. Browning, you at
WW anything so gay as a char
ity ball:"
"And you, my dear Miss Erickson, at
anything SO dismal?' Mr.. Browning re-
piled.
The girl laughed and shook out the
folds Of her misty pink dancing skirt,
with Its ruf1les and lace.
II have just one dance left, schot-
tische. Shall 1t be for your" he said.
IF you will so honor me. But as 1
can't dance anything but the waltz 1
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 alcoye 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 divan with her full skirts.
Browning sank back luxuriously in the
silken cushions at her side.
Everyone seems to be here tonight"
she said.
Eyes. 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, thisis your tenth
season. Don't you remember was at
your coming out tea?"
eyes, and you were old then-2s; 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 60.
"And sent them"
"And you sent them"
Browning shifted his position slightly,
81 wonder what Marshall wants to
marry that little Miss Jones for?' he
said.
Gas she Is not an heiress, 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."
Mildreds cheeks assumed the hue of
her roses.
81? Not at all. Rather, should won.
der IL you did get married. 1 am SO used
to you single, you know"
.And should wonder at 1t, too. I
like women. They are beautiful crea-
lures, to be admired, adored and ideal.
lied, but kept at distance If a man
wants to retain his peace of mind.
Don't you think so. Miss Erckson?"
"Can Mr.. Browning be wrong?"
"Thank you. Now, suppose had
married when 1 was, say, %. Ten years
ago. I'd have a wife who never Thought
of me or my home, but ALWAYS az ber
own personality and social engage.
ments. My home would be no home nj
all, because should expect things Of
her which she would never do.
Miss Erickson was unconsc,ors,,
pulling the flowers to pieces and watch.
ing Mr.. Browning with studied cour-
tesy.
browning continued. "As q 4. !,
have nv bachelor fat, in which ON
king. NV servants. whom no ono In
terferes with. / 20 and come az r
please. to the club. to the onera ~
dinners, or to Europe. NV horses and
carriages are mine, and no one eyar
complains of them. NV house ia so,,.
tude itself, unless 1 wish to make II
noisy. Don't you think / am n sen.
sible MANI?
at really had never occurred In mo
Mr.. Browning" Mildred said. laughing
slightly.
"Of course you do, for Won have fol.
lowed my example and remained sin.
GLE"
But not alone. There IA mamma
and papa and Joe and the girls. Mr.
Browning. d. I should NOT care FOR
solitude and endowment alonen
"You are not SO selfish"
mo"
"What?"
.No Mr. Browning am not sales,
Ia 20, Nv. 'i