The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-01-28
Copyright. 1901. by Charles W. Hooke

K1tchen. In my opinion, it's a polite
fiction that she doesn't do anything but
make the cake. I observe that she
spends most of her time there, and 1
wish she had something better to do"
''There can't be anything better than
housekeeping" said Trask. 1T is the
work of the best women on earth, the
women who keep the world wholesome
enough to live in, the wives and moth.
.ers.''
"Well,. upon my word" exclaimed
Scovel. "The misanthrope speaks up
nobly. 1 didn't suppose you thought
that the world 1oas wholesome enough
to- live in
Il don't do anything to make it So"
said Trask. Neither do you, for that
matter. But, as to Miss Witherspoon,
she is not a drudge. She has had
first rate education; she has associated
with cultivated persons. Her position
here is not in the slightest degree me-
NAL. The people who come here, as
you know, are of considerable social
consequence, and Miss Witherspoon
meets them upon a level of perfect
equality"
"Why in thunder shouldn't she? de-
manded Derringer. "The girl might
have been born on Fifth avenue for all
that can see. But that doesn't alter
the fact that she works about 16 hours
day in this June weather when she
ought to be at play"
"Not so bad as that said Scovel.
'Trask gnaws her chains once in
awhile. There was a Japanese artist
who made a hundred views of one
mountain, but that's nothing to the
sketches that Trask has made of Miss
.Witherspoon."
l did not see any reason why Trask
should be disturbed by this remark un-
less he had read Miss Witherspoon as
had and was beginning to be worried.
knowing him even SO little, would
Rave gone upon any sort of bond that
he had never Intentionally said one
word to make the poor child care for
him, and that it was all a misfortune,
with no one to blame. Scovers tone was
a sufficient guarantee that he suspect
ed nothing. 1t was mere good natured
banter. The whole gist of the situa-
ton lay in Trask's own thoughts.
"She has good face,' he said, 'most
interesting to an artist; really beautiful
indeed
The words were commonplace, but
they produced a considerable effect
upon me. If girl isn't beautiful or
anywhere near it, yet a man of cult
waited artistic appreciation thinks that
she is, what shall third person con-
clude? My own romance was suffi-
GENTLY complicated, but I began to sus-
pect that it was simple compared to
Trask's. I was tempted to try him a
little further.
Beauty to me-" said 1, lis always q
question of more or less close approx
nation to type. Beauty is defined for
us. We may hardly have our own opin-
ions any more than we may quarrel
with the dictionary. Miss Witherspoon
is charming girl, but her face may be
said to lack the element Of ideal'-
"Oh, that be hanged?' exclaimed the
artist fervently 'Third rate studios
ring with it. 1 beg your pardon, Of
course, but types have about as much
to do with beauty as the major scale
has to do with one of Uhopin's noe
turnes. Do, re, mi, ia, sol, la, 81! Eyes,
nose, mouth, hair, outline, coloring, ex-
pression-nature can play million
millions of tunes on those seven notes.
Can you measure harmony with yard
stick? No, my friend. You should sim
ply pray for God given appreciation"
There is something in what you
Eay,' remarked Scovel judicially,
though l suspect it would be possible
for you to know more about music.
However, you must admit that your
pupil in art is perfect illustration of
the English blond type
"There is no such thing as an Eng
Ash blond type" said Trask, throwing
his half burned cigar into the road.
nor an Ethiopian brunette type, nor
Its clouding up again." he added,
breaking the thread of his discourse
short off. tits going to rain. Good
night"
He walked away toward the gate.
"Wi1" is the lady, if it's permissible
to inquirer said Derringer.
"Permissible?" echoed Scovel. "Why
not? We're getting into such muss
Of mystery out here that we can't do
anything. To the best of my knowl-
edge and belief, she is Miss Jones,
who is living in st. 10 and comes out
here for art lessons. I have heard that
her father or guardian or somebody
has lot Of money, but cannot testify
on that point. Speaking as a disin-
terested observer-if any man can be
disinterested in the presence of such a
stunning girl as Miss Jones-I would
say that there is sentimental attach
ment between Trask and the young
lady, and that there's some sort of op-
position, don't know what
Heres hoping that it will all end
happily" said Derringer. II like Trask
very much, tlhsugh hang me if I under
stand him!'
That was precisely my position.
After what had heard and soon woo