The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-03-16

touag lady OF progressing appearance,
and there he decided to anchor. They
conversed as is customary at these gather
ings. First OF the OCCASION, then of the
weather, then Of theaters, and then of
anything they could think of. They We're
in that last stage when Gerald said with
his usual bluntness:
1T understand that some lady Is going
to make herself ridiculous after dinner"
"Oh!" rejoined his companion. What
% she going to do7"
Speak about women's rights" replied
Gerald In a very Disguised tone. Much
better II she'd stay at home and-and-
Grand look after the Children"
II don't think Miss Walrond has any
children to look after" came the answe
accompanied by a delicious laugh.
well, at any rate" answered Gerald,
somewhat discounted, 'she oughtn't to
mako an exhibition Of herself. One cf these
women who want to wear trousers and
smoke pipes, and oil that sort of thing, |
suppose
His companion leant back and gave vent
to a peal of laughter.
"You are too ridiculous.." she gasped
eventually,
I'm quite serious" cried Gerald, to
whom this subject was a red rag to a
bull. II call 1t perfectly disgusting and a
disgrace to the sex for a woman to make
such an exhibition of herself. L can i'm
agine her-wears spectacles, short,
straight hair. freckles, plain as they make
'em. That's like her, isn't it?" He had
quite forgotten Dick Cunnyngham's des-
cript.on.
well, not very much. She doesn't wear
glasses. and I don't think she has any
freckles. She has quite a curly lot of hair.
too"
HIN! Do you yourself believe in this
Women's Rights business?"
'Oh, yes, most certainly I do" quickly
came the decided response.
Really" Gerald queried In a discom-
flied tone. We'll, I am surprised. Surely
you DON'T think that woman should give
up her sacred duties and go out and work
among men?"
81 do, when a woman has nobody to fall
back upon, as thousands nave not. What
is she to do, starve? Woman can keep
womanly, although She works for her own
living"
And then ensued a long discussion on
that much discussed question, Gerald
standing against it tooth and nail. laugh
ing at its advocates and particularly Miss
Ethel Walrond.
They were only Interrupted by the an
nouncement Of dinner. Dick Cunningham
suddenly appeared, saying Gerald was to
take in Miss Walrond. Gerald's face be-
came gloomy, and he turned to his com
panion. saying:
We'll, isn't that rough on a fellow? /
have to take In the person L object to most
in this select gathering. 1t is a shame.
And he gazed sorrowfully at his co1npan-
ions sweet face.
by the way" he suddenly said, (which
is Miss Walrond?'
II am afraid you happen to be talking
to her just now" was the low reply.
"l-but I'm talking to you!" spluttered
Gerald.
Yes. and 1 am Ethel walrond."
"Oh-h-h!" He had bitten the dust alb
s%olutely. Why didn't the floor open and
swallow him? What an absolute ass he
felt. He must say something or do some
thing. Blu what could he say or do? All
the time Miss Walrond was gazing at him
with a very amused expression.
You oughtn't to do 1t, you know, Miss
Walrond." Gerald at last blurted out.
What she ought not to have done was not
very clear. I'm awfully sorry. though.