Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-11-28
The Reverse Side
BY MAY BATEMAN.
isDON'T say bitter things" said the

| AEA US s4E 70 AaAN ~ AAAN 1890 a. 49,
more" said the woman.
1t was late afternoon, and the lamp
lighter had lit the lamps in Curzor
street. Beyond, in Piccadilly, thou
sand lights famed and glared. The rol
of the traffic swelled Ike the muf
fled echo Of a distant drum.
At the corner which led upon Hay
Hill, a man in rags was begging Of the
foot-passengers who crossed the par
row pathway. In Bolton street q
woman's voice, importunate, could be
heard. Mrs. Marchmont withdrew sud
denly from the window sill against
which she had been leaning.
"You think me brutal" she said
after a pause. Perhaps she waited for
disclaimer, but none came. 81 hate
to see you suffer- would like to save
you. 1t is a mistake to idealize. The
man is very ordinary at best"
ale is the one mani" the girl an
twered. Her eyes shone.
"But, Margot, you don't suppose that
you are the one woman" broke in her
friend. Her voice rang almost pain
fully at is a question of degree.
Women give more or less. But the
least that a woman such as you can
give is more than such man de-
serves"
you're conventional, after ALL" the
grill said, smiling easily. Fate had
given such bountiful gifts TO her that
she could afford to be generous to her
less fortunate and embittered sisters.
"You're taking the worlds narrow
Judgment. It's not my fault IL I am
rich. I'm glad-in a way. It gives US
both opportunity and power. And It
may even help him ON in his career"
"Money has uses, obviously" said
her friend, drily. Particularly in the
case Of "a penniless subaltern, whose
single claim to distinction lies in the
fact that he has feathered his nest to
the best adyantage-at a woman's cost.
I am putting this crudely. The main
facts are crude"
ITS the stocktakinF season Of your
line, and winter is approaching. You're
buying goods that are only fit for sum
mer wear, and one day you will feel
the cold"
"Am I so little worth loving that a
man cannot love me for myself2",
"A mans love, at best, as at worst,
is different from woman's." said her
friend. "All the elements go to make
up a woman's love, whereas, mans
love Is made up Of many elements.
Men reveal, and women feel. but most
women feel once, and most men reveal
often. If in the resurrection it we're
asked of any woman Of our acquaint-
ance: Whose husband should he be?
how many women in each case would
justly lay claim to that position2'
The girl upon the bed shrank back
"Your experience has been painful"
she said, pitifully. "You are judging
him by that. Whatever other men are,
he is true and honorable"
"How has he shown it? 1t was as
easy to love you as it was wise. You
are on the brink of a mad action. You
want to run away with him, to begin
a life-the intimacy of which you have
no conception-with a stranger. You
are quarreling with your people; the
people who have thought for you and
loved you for years, for his sake
What's his passion worth? A love
which can't be openly acknowledged
can hardly be called love at allnJ
The girl waited TRANQUILITY, her hands
clasped.
81 love him." she said "He loves
me. o, poor you! Probably you can't
realize what this means. Your own
happiest moments must have been
spoilt by doubt and misgiving. don't
want to know If knowledge brings
pain. Other men may be false. He is
the soul Of honor and loyalty. l am
not fit to be his wife. The only dread
/ have about the future is that he will
some day find out how little I was
worth his love. You should hear him
talk. TIL | met him I never under
stood how much men felt about the
deeper issues of life. The merest
'fieck on the white jars him. Some
times he makes me feel quite unre-
fined. 7 choose even my words care
fully now. His face is the index of his
nature. 1t isn't only good-looIing-
it's goodness itself. l believe he would
physically shrink from anything which
fell short of his standard"
Her companion rose abruptly. She
crossed TO the window. In Bolton
street there was the outline of the
woman's waiting figure.
Every nature has its reverse side"
she said. "God help you when the truth
is revealed to you. And yet 1t is the
only chance of saving you. Win You
come with Jack Arbuthnot and me
tonight? We are going to the masked
ball"
"Move aside, please, dear"
A woman stood leaning at the mar