The Topeka state journal., 1903-05-28
is SHE TONGUE TIED.

Hl6HA. oile was with the H1ghtOneS in
their box" said the Man of Note, who
was calling on the Demure Girl He
stirred his tea meditatively.
Il never quite realized before what a
really beautiful woman she is with
her queenly figure, her crown Of black
hair and her lovely face. When one is
with her one knows only the charm Of
her personality. 1t is only when at d
distance that one appreciates that she
is beautiful. Have you not felt her fas-
cination2"
The Demure Girl looked up. with a
little futter of the eyelids. Then she
smiled a little.
She is very lovely" she said. "and I
think it is something more than beauty
and charm that makes us all delight in
her so. L think it is because she is 50
sweetly unselhsh, so self-enacing, so 10
speak, so absolutely without any of the
petty vanity that you men attribute TO
women as our distinguishing character
istic."
Il believe you are right" said the
Man of Note. and she is Intellectual
too. in just the right degree. Not super
fcially so. nor is she is blue stocking
Just the happy medium. And her ex-
perience of life has SO broadened her
outlook. l visited the Hightones' box
between acts and greatly enjoyed the
sparkle of her conversation. -
The Demure Girl bent over the little
brass kettle and relighted the alcohol
lamp.
Did you enjoy the play" she said
I'VE went the first night and thought
it delightful Do you know, he is one
of the very few actors whom I ever de-
sired to meet, personally. Usually I am
content to never see them out Of their
parts, but this man I should like %
know"
You would not care for him." said
the Man Of Note I have met him,
and there is nothing particularly at
tractive about him. He's we'll enough,
you know, but nothing more. I never
for women One meets dozens of men
every day who are handsomer-indeed, 1
fail to find much beauty in his face. It
is only because he is an actor that Wo
men rave over him. If he were follow
ing one of the everyday Voca tiOns. you
II saw you at the play" said the De-
mure Girl you were with Prof. Hob
sOn-Dobson, were you not?"
Yes, we went together" answered
the Man of Note. He frowned a little.
Its too bad, isn't it, that Hobson-
DObson hasn't a better face believe
it Injuries him in his work that crim-
inal face of his-and yet he is good
man."
Criminal face!" echoed the Demure
Girl. Whatever do you mean? I think
he has a fine face-a sort of John Storm
cOuntenance. He looks to me like a man
who might do all sorts Of grand things
-fanaucal, perhaps, and ascetic-but
eminently good and strong Are his
features of a criminal conformation or
is 1t his expression2"
"Oh. the general ensemble answer
ed the Man of Note. ITO me he looks
absolutely criminal. and yet he is one
of the best men, as you say But ms
face certainly is unfortunate for him.
~Apropos of faces said the De-
mure Girl. II want your opinion"
THAT is something" said the Man
of Note that viii always be at your
The Denure Girl crossed the room to
a desk. and took from one OF its re-
cesses a newspaper clipping, when she
handed him. It was a hah-tone cut
of a mans head-reasonably clear and
apparently a good enough likeness:
Tell me" she said, what you think
of him What do you make of that
The Name Of Note frowned through
''': SIe has very bad features he said
The Demure Girl looked at him III
some surprise
.sIIe is handsome man." she said
How can he be?' said the Man OF
Note. Look at that mouth. Anu HS
.rVhoever would think of criticising
mans ears. unless there was something
abnormal about them" said the Demure
Girl.
4TIis. ears are abnormal" said the Man
of Note. they are too large and set too
low. and they stand out from his nead-
Who is her" ,.o
and tore it into little pieces, which she
dropped into the fire.
"Do YOU remember the story told
YOU last winter of a mans s beaut1O u
act of self sacrifice and sen s qelllai ..5 Los
people who were helpless and alone, ana
who had only a shadow of claim upon
him? 1t was his picture that 1 showed
Yes said the Man Of Note, Z re-
member"
He came into some prominence not
long ago and as a consequence ms PIC
ture got into the newspapers. 1 cut u
out to show you, because wanted gout
Judgment of his character 1 wanted 10
know whether you thought his act was
one Of impulse only, or Whetner II re-
suited from true nobility of character
I felt sure you could tell me- But you
/ thought only of his lack OF beauty
You took the picture away so quick
( ly" said the Man Of Note, that
hadn't begun to think of his character
Never mind" said the Demure Girl.
/ DO let me give YOU another cup OF tea
/ DO you know I am going to have a
/ crane arranged by the fireplace. so that
7 can make tea in the good old fashion
ed way. with the kettle hanging over
I the fire instead Of having this artificial
3
+ tea would taste better if the water were
boiled over glowing Goals or bright
/ flames OF an actual fire don't yOu2
You have an actual fire, ACTUAL
flames, with your artificial alcohol ar
I rangement" said the Man OF Note,
smiling And it is much less trouble
/ Besides. the weather is not always IA
vorable for a fire in the crate. Why
not be content with the advantages OF
civilizations"
ut is so involved. so intricate. so in
direct" answered the Demure Girl '4
should like a touch of the natural the
/ primeval once in a while, even If it
were only in the matter of boiling the
kettle. A heap Of twigs. with flint and
steel would please me much. I am tired
/ Of the manufactured product, [ am
tired Of manufactured opinions and
manufactured women with manufac-
tured ideals and conventions to live up
I to, all turned out by the hundred thou
sand. all just alike, with the same trade
mash
This from you2" questioned the Man
: nf