The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-06-09
CLOE AND
THE STILE
By H. B. MARRIoTT-wATsoN

~ Ing corn on Lavender NIL CnlO3
was talking quite heroically of life.
Her hair had been blown little into
admired disorder by the bluff wind on
the heath, her cheeks WE'RE 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 content
ment. What did it matter that she was
prepared to give battle to the monster
Man? Let him perish.
The hills were ablaze with light, the
fields with charlock; we moved in the
suns eye, but Chloe looked as cool as
q primrose in her muslin, despite the
heat of her opinions.
Il can't really understand a sensible
man like you taking up position like
that" said she.
I had taken no position, except the
one by her side, but defended myself
weakly.
"Well, 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! Of course,
they were savages. You've given away
your case"
l never really had any case, but l
didn't say so. Il suppose have" said.
ruefully.
You know it," said Miss Bohun. firm
'y. 1T is quite absurd to pretend that
women are one whit inferior to man.
except, of course" she added, quickly.
lin regard to physical strength"
And even then there were the ANA
IONS" l suggested.
She cast glance at me- Yes. there
were the Amazons," she said. (which
shows"
And the women do all the hard work
among the aboriginals," l went on.
She gave me another glance. "And
ahat again shows" she began with
less confidence
do you know" I said. stopping in
midfield to observe her critically. ~ be-
lievc that If you only practiced a little
you would be more than a match for q
man"
She looked away across the corn
'Do-do you think so?" she said
hesltatingly; and added, after pause,
IL don't think I'm so-I'm not what
you'd call muscular"
We'll, perhaps not" I assented ex-
amln1ng her appraisingly; "but sinewy,
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 I, cheerfully
Dear me, that's the fourth" said
Chloe, resignedly. II do wish they'd
make gates between the fields"
"A stiles more picturesque" said l.
Very possibly" said Miss Bohun.
'ndifferently. "It's certainly not "a
convenient"
AM said I, smiling, there's one
thing. at any rate, in which men are
superior. They can negotiate stile."
"1ndeed!" said Chloe, loftily. 81
should have thought the feat was not
impossible for a woman" I pursed
up my lips. ANY woman can get over
Stiles she said, warmly, seeing nv
skepticism.
ION. I've no doubt" I said, politely.
It's nonsense your saying that
when l can see you don't believe it,"
said Miss Bohun. you're simnlv
pleased to be sarcastic all along"
I shrugged my shoulders, She
marched coldly and confidently toward
the stile. 1t took off a high ground,
which, l suppose, accounted for the
absence of step. But there were two
cross-bars to assist the climber 7
thought Chloe's face fell as she
noted it.
Let me give you hand" 7 said
Nonsense" she replied. Il don't
~ant any assistance. It's quite easy %
she put the hand which was not en-
numbered by the sunshade on the ton
bar and placed one neat foot on the
lowest. Then she hesitated.
perhaps Id better take the SUM-
shade I suggested.
She did not answer at once: then.
If you wish it," she replied, non
chalantly, though it's of no conse-
Quence.'
took lie sunshade and waited
Chloe's two feet were now on the low
est bar. She peered over. The sti1e
let down beyond in big drop into q
kind OF hollow or ditch.
oh" said she. II didn't" was
~till waiting.
Il wish you'd go on and not stare IN
that atrocious way" said she, with
asperity.
l begged pardon. vaulted the stile
with one hand and strolled on. Pres
entity I looked back. Miss Bohun WAS
seated astride the top bar, clingine
with both hands to it. Her face was
deeply flushed.
do go on" She called ont yehe-
mently. I went on leisurely. But
somehow, could not make up nv
mind to walk briskly. She did not ioin
mo en- 7 f7y,rp ~, 49,