The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-03-25


Except that. I've never been much far
ther than Amo-and then for a conven-
tion or TO make speech-since l came
here"
wicked" she exclaimed, "to shut
yourself up Ike this, said II was fine
, to drop out OF the world. but why have
you cut OF your old friends from you?
Why haven't you had q relapse now
and then and come over to hear Ysaye
play and Melba %ng, or TO see Mans
field or Henry irving. when we have
had them? And do you think you've
been quite fair to Tom? What right
had you TO assume that he had forgot
ten your"
'Oh. didn't exactly mean forgot
ten.' he said. pulling a blade of grass
| TO and fro between his fingers and
staring at IL absently. Its only that
j have dropped out OF the world, you
know. They rather expected me to do
lot Of things. and / haven't done
them. Possibly It is because am SEN
, sitive that never let Tom know. They
expected me 10 amount to something,
but l don't believe his welcome would
be less hearty to a failure-he is a
good heart"
"Failurer she cried and clapped her
hands and laughed.
| I'm really not very tragic about II.
] though / must seem consumed with
self pity" he returned, smiling. 'It Is
only that ! have dropped out OF the
| world while Tom Is still In IT,"
Il
echoed impatiently. Cant you see
| you've dropped into It? That YOU
Last night ! was honored by your
praise OF my graceful mode of quitting
itT
"Ard so you wish me to be consist
ent," she retorted scornfully. What
becomes of your gallantry when we
abide by reasonT'
True enough; equality is a denial OF
privilege"
"And privilege is a denial of equal
| ity? ! don't like that at ALL" She
turned a serious. suddenly illuminated
face upon him aud spoke earnestly:
'Its my hobby. ] should tell you. and
I'm tired of that nonsense about WON
en- always sounding the personal note
II should be sounded as we would
sound it. And ] think we could bear
the loss of privilege
He laughed and raised q protesting
hand. But We couldn't"
mo. you couldn't. It's the ribbon of
superiority in your buttonhole. I know
several women who manage 10 live
without men to open doors for them
and l think I could bear to let a man
pass before me now and then or wear
his hat in an Office where j happened
to be, and l could get my own ice at q
dance. ! think, possibly with even less
fuss and scramble than I've sometimes
observed in the young men who have
done 1T for me. But you know you
would never let us do things for our
selves. no matter what legal equality
might be declared. even when we get
representation for our taxation. You
will never be able TO deny yourselves
giving us our 'privileger hate being
waited on. I'd rather do things foI
myself"
She was so earnest in her satire. SC
full OF scorn and so serious in her mean
L
tween what she said and her person
she looked so pre-eminently the pretty
narquise. the little exquisite. so essen
TALLY to be waited on and helped, te
have cloaks thrown over the dampnes,
for her TO tread upon, to be run about
for-be could see half q dozen youth:
rushing about for her ices, for her car
riage. for her chaperon. for her wrap
at dances-that TO save his life hs
could not repress a chuckle. He man
aged to make It inaudible. however
and II was as well that he did.
II understand your love OF newspa
per work." she went on less vehement
! ly, but not less earnestly. Il have al
ways wanted TO do IL myself. wanted
, ! to immensely. ] can't think OF a NOR,
fascinating way OF earning ones liv
ing. And ! know ! could do It. Why
don't you make the Herald a daily"
To hear her speak OF learning one.
| living" was too much for him. Sh'
gave the impression OF riches. no
. only by the fine texture and fashionlnl
OF her garments. but one felt that lux
uries had wrapped her from her birth
He had not had much time TO wonde
what she did in Plattville. II had oc
. CURED to him that IL was a little ode
that she could plan TO spend any exten
OF time there. even II she had liket
Minnie Briscoe at school. He felt tina
she must have been sheltered and pet
ted and waited on all her life. On,
could not help yearning to wait on her
, He answered inarticulately, "Oh
some day" In reply to her question ant
{ then fell into outright laughter.
| Il might have known you wouldn'
take me seriously" she said, with N
, indignation. only sort OF wlstfulness
II am well used to IL. / think 1t is be
cause l am not tall. People take biz
girls with more gravity. Big peopl
! are nearly always listened to-"
Listened to- he said. and felt tina
he must throw himself at her feet
, you oughtn't to mind being Titania
, She was listened to. You
She sprang TO her feet. and her eye
!. flashed. do you think personal com
, ment is ever in good taste?, she erie,
q fiercely. and in his surprise he almos
, fell of the bench. "If there is on
: thing I cannot bear. 1t Is to be told tina
n ] am small" l am not. Every one VIII
q isn't a giantess isn't small | detes
a personalities. l am a great deal owe
\ five feet. u great deal more than tina
= p
q please. please" he said, Il didn't
e Don't say you are sorry" she inter
e rupted. and in spite of his contritioI
;. he found her angry voice delicious,
n was still so sweet hot with indigna
!. ton, but ringing, not harsh. Don
a saw Won didn't mean IT. because yol