The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-11-20
A WOMAN WHO
WAS FREE&&
BY FLOY CAMPBELL.


HEY were driving along country
road together, through the gath
ering dusk, when one of them said,
hooking at the dying light in the west:
Its getting pretty late, Anne;
hadn't we better start for home?
Mother is always worried about me if
I'm out as late as this?'
Anne shrugged her shoulders impa-
silently, as she turned the horses about.
81 wouldn't be the bond slave you
are for worlds" she said; Its bad
%nough to be tied down to that poky
old schoolroom full of stupid children
Cor six hours day, but you tie your
self to the whims and notions of all
Your family, in addition; it is simply
asnslaving yourself, as said, and call
&t silly"
maybe it is" responded the slave,
Gheerfully, but if you have a family
and a cOnscience-you must sacrifice
al few of your own whims and notions
80 the family's, you see"
Then Pm glad l have no family;
Am free at least"
The word free" is seductive one.
THE lips of the bond-slave took on
3nomentary wistful curve. She thought
of the other woman's easy life; a clear
&ncome, no daily grind of work, the
ownership of this pretty cart and
Eeam, the wearing of dainty and rich
garments, no routine family hours
ahat must be kept-and-no home,
1ut the fashionable boarding house,
NO mother, no sister, no father, no
brother to bear with, love and help her.
and to be in turn, borne with, loved
Mud helped.
I'D rather be a bond-slave," she
&aid, decidedly.
Anne lifted her eyebrows. Each to
his own taste" she replied, 'I'll drive
EAST for you, then, Slavey."
Bot in spite of the fast driving, it
TTas quite dark when the cart reached
che home of the bond-slave, and the
gree woman, declining an invitation to
e-comc in" drove on.
1he door was flung open, letting a
hood of light stream on the walk, and
an anxious voice called:
Is that you, Madge? Where in the
EPorId have you been? l was scared
10 death about you, child
'Oh, Anne came with her new dog
cart and took me driving after school;
and it was lovely. mother, so lovely
Chat forgot the time until it was al
ready twilight"
'Well, dearie, I'm glad you could
haVe the pleasure. Anne's very goodto
you. But | wish you would be little
more considerate about STAYING ont so
Kate, when you know how it worries
me Why, anything dreadful might be
happening to you, and | not know it.
AND were all through dinner, too.
Yours is hot in the oven, but it's new
'sr so good when it waits"
It's all right, mother. Now. don't
sc"Id and I'll never do it again until
the next time" said Madge. giving her
d nasty hug and kiss as she ran in.
But her mother did scold a little
.Eor mothers can never realize that
fheir golden haired lasses and Ads
nave become men and women, and no
Aonger need the anxious mother-care
and that very troublesome over-anx-
fety is one of the greatest safeguards
=
go, she hustled about, with her young
ar daughter Sarah, bringing the hot
Yea and potatoes; and reioiced over
Nhe keen appetite with which Madpe
demolished the simple fare; and while
Che three ''did~ up the dishes. thew
told each other all the days news.
And I've got new Duet, Madge:
Es1me and play it with me when we ire
Through here" coaxed Sarah.
And l have a new book, Sally Ann
that want to read" leased Madge.
But Sarah dragged her to the piano
by main force and promised not to in
&errupt her once again thai evening if
She would play the duet Just once"
80 Madge played and admired it duly
Before she took up the book.
She was deep in the first chapter
when a walnut-stained hand pulled
1T down, and a pair of boyish eyes
Saughed audaciously over it.
ooh, say, sis, l think you're the
incest sister in the world! Honest In
gun, now; 1 was telln' Jim and Walter
Ghis afternoon"
''NOw, Ted, is it quarter you want,
20 treat the boys, or a cover for your
book, or a candy pull next week, or a
1esson you can't get yet?" Madge
laughed in turn, for she knew these
symptoms of old.
you've hit it. It's that beastly alge-
bra" he groaned; 81 can't make head
>or tail of it."
Madge put down her book with re-