Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-12-03


4 \ of waving corn on I.aven-
q N q der Hill Chloe was talking
1 quite her S' lily, ." If, m life,
litl,e mo admired disorder by the blutf
wind on the heath, her cheeks were
flushed with health and beauty, and
She was mistress and queen OF herself
and her domain. For me, my eyes
went from her bright and Significant
face across the gray green oats in
which we walked breast high, and
back again in serene cOntentment.
What did it matter that she was pre-
pared to give battle to the monster
Man? Let him perish.
The hills We're ablaze with light, the
fields with charlick; we moved in the
suns eye, but Chloe looked AS cool AS
primrose in her muslin, despite the
heat of her opinions.
Il can't really understand sensible
man like you taking up II position like
that" said she.
l had taken no position except the
one by her side, but defended myself
weakly.
We'll. you see. we inherit these pre-
possessions and prejudices from our
savage ancestors, | suppose"
That's just It," said Chloe eagerly.
You admit it, then? Savage. or
course, they were savages. iou'v,
given away your case"
never really had any case, hut
didn't say SO. Il suppose | have"
said, ruefully.
"Iou know It," said Miss Rohun
firmly. "lt Is quite absurd TO pretend
flat women are one whit inferior to
nan, except of course she added,
quickly. in regard 10 physical
strength"
And even then there Were Amt
LoIrs,'' suggested.
She cast n glance at me. Eyes. there
were the Auiuzuus," she safu, which
shows
And the women GO all the hard work
among the aborlginals." went on.
that again shows" she began, with
less confidence.
t'Do you know" | said, stopping in
midtitld to observe her critically, II
believe that If You only practiced lit
tie you would be more than a match
for man.
She looked away across the corn.
"Do-do you think so!" she said, hest.
tatlngly: and added, after a pause: 81
Il don't think am so-l'm not what
you'd call muscular
well, perhaps not" l assented, ex.
aiming her appraisingly; but slhewy,
say"
How absurd" said Chloe, quite
snappishly, as she walked on. ! fol-
lowed. The deep. spreading shadows
of the bushes at the end of the field
enveloped us.
another stile," said |, cheerfully.
"Dear me, that's the fourth" said
Chloe, resignedly. IL do wish they'd
make gates between the fields.
"A stiles more picturesque" said I.
Every possibly" said Miss Bohun, In
differently. ITS certainly not rs con-
venient."
"Ah," said I, smiling, there's one
thing, at any rate, in which men are
superior. They can negotiate stlle.'
Indeed" said Chloe, loftily. IL
should have thought the feat was not
impossible for a woman" pursed up
my lips. Amy woman can get over
stiles" she said, warmly, seeing my
skepticism.
"Oh, I've no doubt" I said, politely.
"Its nonsense your saying that when
can see you don't believe It," said
Miss Bohun. You're simply pleased
to be sarcastic all along"
shrugged my shoulders. She
marched coldly and confdentially to.
ward the stile. 1t took off high
ground which. suppose. accounted
for the absence of u step. But there
We're two cross bars to assist the
climber. l thought Chloe's face fell
as she noted 1t.
LET me give you hand,' said.
"Nonsense" she replied. II don't
want any assistance. It's quite easy.
She put the hand which was not en-
numbered by the sunshade on the TOP
bar and placed one neat foot OH the
lowest. Then she hesitated.
perhaps Id better take the sun
shade | suggested.
She did not answer at once; then
"lf you wish it," she replied nonchal
emily. Though it's of no consequence.
/ took the sunsEade and waited
Chloe's two feet We're now OH the low
est bar. She peered over. The stilt
let down beyond in a hig drop into 9
kind of hollow or ditch.
"Oh" said she. Il didn't"
was still waiting.
IL wish you'd go on and not stare il
that atroci0us way" said she. with as
perity.
begged pardon, vanlted the stil'
with one hard and sirolled on. Pres
emily | looked back. Miss Bohnn wa.
seated astrGe tie top bar. clinginj
with both hanLs to it. Her face wal
deeply flushed.
do go on" she called out veEem
emily. | went on leisurely. But, some
how, I could not make up my mind Il
walk briskly. She did not join me. 81
| tiung myself on the grass and pulled
out cigarette. Then | heard M!
name called in distressful voice.
stood up and looked around. Miss 10
hun was stride the top bar and SD,