The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1903-01-30
A WOMAN WHO
WAS FREEAA
BY FLoY CAR1PBELL.


road together, through the gath
ering dusk, when one OF them said
looking 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 d
Pm out as late as this''
Anne shrugged her shoulders impa
tiently, as she turned the horses about
81 wouldn't be the bond slave YOU
are for worlds" she said; Its bad
enough to be tied down to that poky
old schoolroom full Of stupid children
for six hours day, but you tie your
self to the whims and notions of al
your family, in addition; it is simply
enslaying yourself, as ] said, and call
it silly"
"Maybe it is" responded the slave,
cheerfully, "but if you have a family
and a conscience-you must sacrifice
few Of your own whims and notions
to the family's, you see"
"Then I'm glad have no family;
+ I'm free at least"
The word free" is a seductive one.
The lips Of the bond-slave took on a
momentary wistful curve. She thought
of the other woman's easy life; clear
income. no daily grind Of work, the
ownership Of this pretty cart and
team, the wearing of dainty and rich
garments, no routine family hours
that must be kept-and-no home.
but the fashionable boarding house.
no mother, no sister no father no
brother to bear with, love and helphcr
and to be in turn, borne with. loved
and helped.
I'D rather be a bond-slave," she
said, decidedly.
Anne lifted her eyebrows. Each 10
his own TASTE" she replied, "I1l drive
fast for you, then, slavey."
But in spite of the fast driving. IL
was quite dark when the cart reached
the home Of the bond-slaye. and the
free woman, declining an invitation TO
"come in" drove on.
The door was flung open. letting
flood Of light stream on the walk. and
an anxious voice called:
"ls that you, Madge? Where I'm tie
world have you been? I was scared
to 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
that forgot the time until It was al
ready twilight"
We'll, dearie, I'm glad you could
have the pleasure. Anne's very good TO /
you But ] wish you would be a little I
more considerate about staying ont so /
late, when you know how it worries
me. Why, anything dreadful might be- /
happening TO you. and / not know IL. /
And we're all through dinner. too. /
Yours is hot in the oven. but it's new
er so good when il waits"
ITS all right, mother. Now. don't
scold and III never do II again until
the next time" said Madge. giving her
a hasty hug and kiss as she ran in.
But her mother did scold a little.
for mothers can never realize that
their golden haired lasses and lads
have become men and women. and no
longer need the anxious mother-care.
And that very troublesome over-anx-
ETY. is one Of the greatest safeguards
4 mother can use. But while She scold-
ID, she hustled about. with her Young.
n daughter Sarah. bringing the hot
ea and potatoes; and reioiced over
he keen appetite with which Madpe
demolished the simple fare; and while
he three "did up" the dishes. they
old each other all the days news.
"And I've got new duet. Madge:
ome and play it with me when we are
through here" coaxed Sarah.
"And / have a new book. Sally Ann.
hat I want to read" teased Madge.
But Sarah dragged her to The piano :
" main force and promised not 10 in
errupt her once again that evening If
he would play the duet "just once"
% Madge played and admired 70 duly
efore she took up the book
She was deep in the first chapter
hen a walnut-stained hand pulled
down, and a pair Of boyish eyes
lughed audaciously over it.
ooh. say. sis. think you're the
icest sister in the world Honest In
in, now; was tellin' Jim and Walter ,
his afternoon" ,
"Now. Ted. is it quarter you want.
, treat the boys. or a cover for your
ook. or q candy pull next week. OF
sson you can't get yet?" Madge
ughed in turn. for she knew these
-mptoms Of old. {
you've hit 10. It's that beastly alge- Z
ra," he groaned; Il can't make head
r tail Of IT,"
Madge put down her book with a re
retful sigh. and last glance at the
teresting page. .
"'Bring on your bars, " she quoted. 7
I'm ready. Wen see if we can't find
cad and tail both"
For the next half an hour algebra
eld the floor. Ted gradually ceased
ie desperate pulling at his hair, and \.
noothed out his brows. g
That's better" he said ot last. Il
Guess l can get it now. Much obliged, NJ
S. You're a cherub" And he gave ~
n back hair an affectionate rumple 7
= way Of thanks. q
Then mother, coming in for mo- :.
ent's chat. must be told all about the -