The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-08-28
An UnderCurrent.
By FIOrella Estes.
lNaNNNNNAANANANNNNA

There was a mans voice, ana
woman's, and through them both the
insistent voice of the sea.
The woman's voice, clear, trainante,
began in a superficial, well-bred So
ciety tone: How strange, Mr. Dwight,
that we should meet here after-dear
me! l dare not think how many years!
So unexpected, but delightful, l am
sure"
The mans voice, deep, musical, for
NAL, replied: 81 do not think it very
strange, Mrs. Van Ness. The places one
knew in ones youth always have a
strong attraction, and draw one back
to them soon or late. But perhaps it is
somewhat singular that we both should
choose this summer for our visit to
old Nanepachemet-afte so long an
absence, Pardon me, think you said
this is your first visit since"
The woman's voice, quickly, Yes"
Doubtfully, 81 don't know that it was
really very prudent for us to come
down to the rocks together"
The mans voice, hastily why, not,
Mrs. Van Ness? What harm can come
from it?"
The woman's voice, hesitatingly:
ooh, no real harm, of course; only
you know people might say unkind
things-because-"
The mans voice, coldly: Because we
are married, and your husband and my
wife are at their hotels, you were go
ing to say?"
The Woman's voice, wistfully: Eyes
People do not know that we are old
friends-such very old friends-and-
and 1t is pleasant to talk over old
times down here by the sea, with no
one listening. Don't you think SOP"
The mans voice, dryly: "Oh, yes,
very pleasant; but one doesn't know
just where to begin when"
After pause the woman's voice,
impatiently: when what?
The mans voice, slowly: when
there are things to be left Cuttings
we can't talk about"
T.
Silence a moment, then the mans
voice, lightly: well, Mrs. Van Ness,
you certainly have had no reason to
complain of your lot during the last
ten years. Ten years! 1t doesn't seem
possible. You are not changed in the
least. could fancy you just the same
little Doll was going to say you have
had very brilliant career, if one may
trust tho society columns of our news
papers | have read very often about
the beautiful Van Ness, her gowns and
her jewels, her presentation at the
Courts of Europe, her dinners and re-
ceptions in New York, her charities,
and everything else that goes to make
up the life of a rich and fashionable
woman"
The womans voice, quiet and even:
"And you? Surely you have been hap
py, for you have accomplished the
things you planned to do. If the pa
pers have kept you informed of my
frivolous life, they have at the same
time told me of your achievements in
the world of science"
The mans voice, indifferently: Hap
by? All, we'll! l have had my work, y
Earnestly: YES thank God l have
had my work; it has been everything
to me-" Slowly and thoughtfully
"And yet have not accomplished what
l once hoped to do-what | ought tC
have done-in ten years. Somehow,
lost a great deal of my early ambition
Things have not seemed worth while
A pause, then the mans voice, al
most timidly: you have been hap
py?'
The woman's voice, cynically: eve
modern society women have little time
to think whether we are happy CT not
We do not probe our deeper feslingI
to know if they still live" A bitter lit
tie laugh, Society has no use fo
deep feelings, and we cannot afford t
cultivate anything which society doe
net demand"
The mans voice, softly: you hay
children. perhaps?"
The womans low and tremulOus: &C
had one She was but a little thini
when-if only she had lived!"
The mans voice, tenderly: "Forgiv