The Washington times., 1904-04-10

8tf>Yl "a ~ 40 the silver IfineS
EbSS1IAlA 1911 with W C h the
y fE11M18N desk was encum-
fOI ~ Ch&l4 bered. an overflow
q NEAsLss4M ing waste basket
- - at her side, several
encyclopedias open on nearby chairs,
and sundry burrows on ner fair brow,
proclaimed TO the initiated that Mar
garet was writing a paper for a lit
erary club. Just at present. however,
her pen was idle and her mind far
away, although her eyes still rested
upon the last words she had written
Margaret used a stub pen and wrote
n large, angular hand; certainly this
phrase, heavily capitalized and begin
ming new paragraph. possessed a GER
tain compelling power:
THE STATUS OF WOMAN
Yes, sighed Margaret, that is the
question of the ages. It comes home to
all Of US. and it has now come home
to me-"
The topic OF her paper was THE Po-
Itical Status of Florentine Women in
the Time of the Guelphs and Ghibel-
lines" Surely a far cry to this TWEEN
tieth century bride OF year. upon
whose matrimonial sky the first cloud
seemed TO be gathering.
For her husband had come to Colo
RADIO glowing with political ambition.
which. after a brief experience in the
State Assembly, had abruptly declined;
and not all his wife's fervor could re-
vive it, Indeed, Margaret recently be-
gan TO realize that as her enthusiasm
expanded in the Colorado air, where
equal. Harrison's grew proportionateIy
smaller. OF utmost Importance 10 her
just now was his Indifferent attitude to
politics in general, and his dislike to
the political woman in particular; for
the previous afternoon at the Woman's
Club a series of impassIoned orators
had charged their sisters to stand
shoulder TO SHOULDER in the impending
crisis: and listening. aroused and ex-
cited. Margaret had allowed her name
TO be registered as chairman of a work
ing committee in the coming civic cam
paign-
She broke the news to Harrison in
the evening. She chose the moment
after dinner when he was smoking in
his favorite chair and she. in a light
and charming gown. was embroidering
sweet peas upon a linen centerpiece by
the becoming light of a shaded lamp.
She made n delightfully."- domestic pic
ture, and Harrison, whose tastes were
es' aeuc, wondered why in the world
she couldn't be contented to remain thus
forever. forming charming tableaux for
his delectation. He stretched himself
Iuxuriously in bis easy chair. and un-
blushingly made the insincere state
ment that he should be perfectly happy
if he might stay forever in this quiet
protected nook. He could not under
stand, he said, why women wanted to
mingle in all the rude and unpleasant
business of a political campaign
Margaret answered that they did not
do II for pleasure. but because II was
a duty. and then Harrison smiled sar-
donically. Margaret. however. was not
easily 10 be put down The words OF
the afternoon were stiu ringing in ner
ears. She repeated some Of them to
Harrison: that the woman candidate
for mayor. TO whose cause she was
pledged. possessed strong principles. 4
liberal education. broadened by travel.
wealth. a beautiful home. and muc..
social prestige: while her opponent was
an 4-A4LtIdLc 4pIdA pD44LlS4aIs was uDl
without blots upon both public and prI-
vate careers. and was a mere man any
way, which. Of course, explains and &C
counts for much.
But Harrison was not responsive. He
blew several rings Of cigar smoke care
fully into the air, watched them as
they slowly assembled. and. after an in
terval, said "Yes?" in an entirely i'm
personal manner.
Margaret had never known him to be
50 dlsagreeable. With a slight flush
on her cheek, she made this unequivocal
statement: AT al hazards. intend TO
do my duty" and implanted her needle
in tho heart Of a sweet pea with d de-
termination that seemed final.
Harrison whistled half audib!y and
took Ip book Shall we go on with
Red ROcIk'2" he asked Blair Carey
and Aunt Tomasia are so restful: only
let as skip Mrs. WEIGH tonight. I am
aweary Of the woman with mission. %
All these recollcctions passed hastily
through Margaret's mind as she sat idly
at her desk, her struggles with tn.
GUelphs and the Ghlbellines for the
time forgotten. She sighed again. and
then reused slightly from her reverie
as a reflected light from outside the
window repeatedly annoyed her. IN
vestigatlng the cause, she saw il to be
a wet sheet on the line, tapping gaiy
IN the bright sunshine BY the sheet
stood Rapid Ann, who having sus-
pended this one article, was resting
from her labors.
The basket filled with wet clothes was
at her feet pillow case was in one
hand; but her arms hung Imply at her
sides and her eyes were gazing vacant!y