The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-01-23
Youth VS.. Experience
(Original.1

centerpiece. A fire of hickory logs
blazed cheerfully on the hearth; the big
lamp on the table gave ample light.
There was comfort, but there was ST.
lence. Not even the canary hoped on
his perch. He had been carefully GOV.
cred and had gone to sleep with his
head under his wing
Suddenly the front door was thrown
open, and young girl came quickly
through the hall and threw herself into
Mrs. Wardwell's arms. There was q
sob as the young head sank upon the
woman's breast.
Lucy, dear, what is it? Has Henry
been acting badly?'
Eyes, Aunt Sara; very badly. He
was to have taken me to the theate1
tonight At the last moment he sent
me the tickets, suggesting that 1 get
some friend to go with me-"
what reason did he give?'
'None He said he would explain
when he saw me again."
There was long pause, during which
the elder woman seemed to be think.
ing. At last she said:
You know, Lucy, that I proved by
experience that what poets have sung
Of from time immemorial as blissful
love is for many If not all of us pro.
ductive Of misery. You know some
thing Of my past sufferings, but not
lover to whom gave my whole heart
He Tilted me. Then several years
later I married a man who ran away
with another woman. This was worse
than the first case. In that 1 found
out the treachery in time. In this l
was bound by the law. Besides, 1 was
the mother Of children
The lady's voice trembled at the last
sentence, and there was a pause-a
pause expressive Of grief.
"And nOw?" asked the girl.
"And now it is all over. The dear lit
tie things are at rest, where neither a
brutal father nor a harsh world can
harm them. For the first time since I
began to love 1 am content. If my
hobby is not so absorbing as having
my heartstrings played upon, it is at
least a more reliable interest. When
| the doorbell rings I'm not afraid of
some dire message. l sit here six even
ings in seven plying my needle, my
mind occupied with new designs, while
my fingers are employed in executing
those already thought out"
and you would advise me to give Up
love?'
You know my experience-the eXpe-
rience of many Others-and can decide
for yourself"
Again there was silence, during
which the girl was absorbed in
| thought Presently she said:
aunt Sara, 1 shall take advantage
Of your experience. l shall never for.
give Henry-never, never"
HE may give you good excuse for
his seeming slight
'That will make no difference. I am
convinced that love-at least unless
ones lover is true and tender-means
misery. What folly for me to subject
myself to a lifetime of suffering such
as 1 have had this evening"
"You are wise, my little girl-wise
beyond your years. While would not
advise you, now that you have made
your decision, heartily approve Of it.
You will be saved life Of misery. All
you have to do is to find some work in
which to interest yourself. Take up
charity, art music, anything that you
have taste for, and you will find it a
shield against that passion which, like
disease, attacks the weakest. Love Is a
parasite that feeds upon young, unde-
veloped, inexperienced people"
"Oh, Aunt Sara, how fortunate am
in having the benefit of your expert
ence! 1 am fully resolved to profit by
it. Henry has shown again and again
that he is unworthy of confidence. My
life with him would be succession of
miseries.''
do you feel perfectly sure that you
will not change your mind?"
Perfectly. 1 am resolved to devote
myself to art That is my only natural
gift. 1 shall love art in place Of loving
a man. 1t will never fail me-"
At this moment there was a ring at
the doorbell, and a servant admitted
| the young man who had been the cause
of this conference. He asked if the
young lady was within and when told
that she was stepped into the parlor.
Mrs. Wardwell arose and withdrew to
back room, where she readily over
heard the conversation between the
lovers.
Il went to your house to keep my en-
gagement and was told that you had
come here. 1t is late, but we shall be
in time for the second act"
"Why didn't you come in the first
placer
"Well, you see, Mabel Burke is to
have a musicale and wanted me to
take the place of Howard Wilkins,
who failed her at the last moment"
"Do you think that was treating me
right?"
"Well no, not exactly, but 1 thought
you wouldn't mind. Wilkins turned
up after all, so l didn't have to go to
MabePs Come, hurry up. We don't
want to miss any more Of it."
There were sounds Of reproaches,
caresses and finally kisses. Then the
girl appeared before her aunt, tears
and smiles struggling on her young