The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-03-27
U%ncommonIy Common.
ROBERTINEs ROMANOE-H0W SHE
CONCEALED 1T.

I'gloves, and was putting away the bit
of old flannel and the "deodorized'
fluid, whose faint hatefulness she de
! clared she detested. Its quite as bat
as common benzine." she said to he.
mother, who was busy cooking a spir
Stuelle sort Of supper on the gasoline
stove in the other room.
They leased the entire house, a two
story and basement brick, rather cen
ktrally located, and relet unfurnishet
Srooms or suites in such a name az
ing the double parlors and the joys O.
proprietorship.
They were very comfortably arrang.
ed. In the evening, Robertine could
make herself pretty, close the folding.
doors, run her fingers lightly over the
keys Of the upright piano, and feel
equal to the entertaining of the most
eligible gentlemen friends-even Will
fred Wales, Esq. In some respects she
was more at ease with this gentleman
for company than with any n else.
Not because he was unusually hand
some-beyond the frequency of his new
clothes-or talented, or cultured, or
witty; not because Of any subtle charm
in his conversation, like that of poor
Dick Ethel, whom she had known 80
ohS ~ iiN NV G iVlSCu w GtulllUs
would always remain the same vision
airy enthusiast and Bohemian. Poor
Dick! If he would only quit trying to
make a living with his pen, and become
a practical member of society-a tailor,
or shoemaker, + something honest! No
but when Wilfred Wales was calling
Robertine knew there would be no af-
ter remarks from her mother, that good
lady being, at such times, content to re-
tire to peaceful dreams and a bookcase
bedstead, leaving the young people UNI
disturbed.
Mr.. Wales was a moneyed young man,
with further Expectations and Rob-
ertine felt it would be the merest folly
to discourage his attentions. She knew
herself thoroughly; knew all her disad-
vantages and all her little attractive
ness. She had sized herself up long
ago as moderately pretty brunette, who
could sing and play passably, read q
French novel without the dictionary,
write q dashing. sort of letter, and dance
got that she had neither fortune nor
family-a blue lookout for n girl Of
twenty; that she had talent in no par
ticular direction; that she was PHYSICAL
ly too delicate for continuous labor, be
sides being untitled, by ambition, for
the life of a working-woman.
ct sometimes she felt sick of it all
sick Of doing lawyers copying at home,
and addressing wrappers by the thous-
and, and scheming how to best spend
the money so earned and how to con-
the prettiest costume in which to
theatre Or promenade concert
with MI. Wales. (Often she would far
rather have gone sauntering in the
park. clad in her plain, brown Mother
Hubbard, with Richard Ethel beside
her, and his pleasing f%antasies.)
But what could she do to support her
self? You can't be a clerk in any
said her mother, sit takes away
girls social position"
IF she has any,"said Robertine ironi-
Meanwhile they had got on very well
without touching the insurance money
received atthe death Of Robertine's la
mentedfather, which was but q small
at best, and which the mother
would need for herself when once the
daughter vas married.
Robertine shook out three pair Of
evening gloves, and said musinglv.
I'm ready to go anywhere if only
one invites me-"
"IfI were you I wouldn't go with
anybody but Wales" admonished her
mother. IF he sees you running
around with common tugs like Dick
Ethel, he'll ship youl' Mrs. Ferris was
often more forcible than elegant, and
always unconscious of nautical ten
lencies. She was a thin, wo-
man, with an extraordinary contempt
Tor the oipolloi. She was often heard
20 say that she had been struggling for
years to keep her head above water, as
also that of her deceased husband.
Poor man! his head had gone under
ground in spite of herl)
Robertine colored. 81 never 20 with
my one Pm ashamed Of" she said. in
iignantly; land as for Mr.. Wales, the
shipping process may be conducted by
,he other party" :
30, no doubt you feel able to manage
!our own affairs. Some folks, when
hey have a little streak of luck, act as
fnt would never be day with them-n
with a pet antiphrasis.
Now, mother, what is the use Of
c talk! Let us eat our supper in
And they did; after which, Robertine
adjusted her toilet, went to the
'ront windows and drew the curtains
2ack, admitting the evening breeze.
rhe sun was declining and the sky
herewith glorifed; she stood where it
night dazzle her eyes a moment; then
away.
Mother, shall I close the folding
loors? Dick Ethel is coming over"
20, yes; for heavens sake, shut the
loors, SO l needn't hear him EARNING.
+ | We're you | wouldn't fool away my
line on such common"
Robertine banged the doors and lost
he remainder.
Come in, Dick,n she called, through
he wire window-netting. Don't stop
o ring"
You are alone?" he said, smiling
as he entered. II thought YOU
have company"
You see for yourself l haven't"
Your mother is well, 1 hope?"
Quite; and busy, as usual"
II met her on the street to-day, butt
10 not think she saw me.'
Perhaps not" said Robertine, doubt
lilly, remembering her mothers disdain
or common attire. But what are YOU
Icing this week, Dick? What is the
Attest romance?:n
i haven't done much" he answered
'but ] have thought of so much