The daily Alaskan., 1906-01-10
Youth vs. Experience
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cepterpiece. 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 si- Ience. Not even the canary hopped on his perch. He had been carefully coy- cred and had gone to sleep with his head under his wing.
 Suddenly the front door was thrown open, and a young girl came quickly through the hall and threw herself into Mrs. Wardweu's arms. There was a sob as the young head sank upon the woman's breast.
 "Iuey, dear, what Is it? Has Henry been acting badly"
 .sYes. Aunt Sara; very badly. He was to have taken me to the theater tonight. At the last moment he sent me the tickets, suggesting that l get some friend to go with me"
 What reason did he giveF'
 ''None. He said he would explain when he saw me again"
 There was a long pause, during which the elder woman seemed to be think ng. 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 suferings, but not all. When 1 was your age had a lover to whom I gave my whole heart, He tilted me. Then several years later married a man who ran away with another woman. This was worse than the first case. In that l found out the treachery in time. In this l was bound by the law. Besides, l 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 1t 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 began to love I am content If my hobby Is not so absorbing as having my heartstrings played upon, 1t 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 eIperience-the expe, rience of many others-and can decide for yourself"
 Again there was silence, during which the girl was absorbed ID thought. Presently she said:
 Aunt Sara, l shall take advantage of your experience. 1 shall never for give Henry-never, never"
 He may give you a good excuse for bis seeming slight"
 That will make no difference. 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 have had this evening".
 You are wise, my little girl-wise beyond your years. While I would not advise you, now that you have made your decision, l heartily approve of 1t, You will be saved a 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 a taste for, and you will find 1t 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! I an fully resolved to profit by 1t. Henry has shown again and again that he is unworthy of confidence. My life with him would be a succession of miseries."
 DO you feel perfectly sure that you WILL uOl CuAuBG gOuA LIAAS'
 Perfectly. I am resolved to devote myself to art. That is my only natural gift. I shall love art in place of loving a man. It 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 a back room, where she readily over heard the conversation between the lovers.
 q went to your house to keep my en- gagement and was told that you had come here. It 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 right7"
 well, no, not exactly, but thought you wouldn't mind. Wilkins turned ,,-, ,f+o- oil So didn't hayp to % to