Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-09-25

ocfsc pldctitdi ucfcioPihcht VI
your ideas you would repudiate them
Immediately"
The speaker was lively girl enjoy
Ing her summer vacation among the
hills of southern New Hampshire. hav-
Ing obtained quarters at a rambling
old farm house originally built for a
large family. with several extensions
annexed afterward. readily accommo-
dating as many guests as small ho-
tel; and noted among the summer
idlers for sociability and freedom. the
same choice spirits going there to rus
ticate year after year. some special
interposition OF providence being nee
essary to admit a new member. This.
however, was Lille Buttons first sea-
son. her special providence being an
aunt who had been identified with the
patronage of the house from its first
opening to the summer boarder
When acquaintance became estab-
lished and her qualities understood.
she was an evident favorite with the
men, meeting them on the common
ground of good fellowship, but evinc-
ing no desire for an exchange of at
tention, the result being that they
often failed to observe an empty chair
beside the seasons beauty II a place
remained vacant near the Bronze
Lille" all but Prof. Lewis, who con-
tinued to bestow bis attentions with
the same impartiality for which he
was noted. it being the merest OF
chance happenings that now left him
in her society for an uninterrupted
hour
A very conservative man on most
points, he was radical to an extreme
where 1t might least have been ex-
pected, believing thoroughly in wom-
ans emancipation. in the broadcast
sense of that abused term, a state
ment of these views having elected
Lilies remark.
In spite of your opinion, he contin-
ued, Il will venture to repeat my state
ment, that | consider women en-
titled to all the rights and privileges
enjoyed by men, so far as she is men,
tally and physically capable of exer-
cising them, and you know it is my
belief that there will be little differ
ence in the development of the sexes
when given equal opportunities"
His companion laughed. You are
not quite honest in what you say. If
you were. you would have offered me
a cigar when you lighted yours"
He was not to be disconnected by
small points. you will pardon my ap-
parent neglect, l am sure, and pos
sibly you may recognize the force of
my qualification concerning capacity
for enjoyment" He extended his
cigar case, and she took one, biting
the end with an elaborate travesty of
his movements moment before. Ac-
cepting the offered light, she leaned
back against the trunk of the tree
and resumed the conversation in q
hooking tone:
How much NOR sociable it Is to
have common interests and pleas
ures."
Prof Lewis was highly amused, and
anticipated some fun presently, when
the nicotine got in it's work, but she
was not to be caught that way, mere
ly smoking enough to keep her light,
and continuing the conversation viva
ciously
II am pleased to observe your readi-
ness to take hint. Your admiration
of my feminine grace and beauty, as
exhibited in the present enjoyment of
equal rights and privileges, is also
very evident"
THE audacity of your assumption of
grace and beauty is noteworthy and
your adaptability is wonderfully
charming. / trust the enjoyment is
genuine?" He fancied she must be-
gin to feel the effect of the drug, but
she ignored the thrust and continued
her remarks.
"On another point your argument is
notably insincere. Equality between
the sexes you doubtless forget in
cludes liberty for women to enter one
field where every man will practi-
cally seek to discourage her, what
ever theories he may hold in regard
to her emancipation. Fancy her ex-
ercising right to propose marriage
when the favorable opportunity ar
rives, or even going step further and
seeking the object of desire by weeks
and months of assiduous effort. Would
that meet your approval?"
He was silent for moment, and she
anticipated her supposed triumph.
Does such a prospect appeal to your"
Looking at her from under half
closed lids, he admired the air of
saucy repose with which she regarded
his supposed discontinue. Even from
improbable extremes do not retreat"
he said slowly.
Am to understand that you would
approve such course?" She nonchal-
antly watched wreath OF smoke curl
upward. In imitation of his preoccu-
pied manner of moment previous.
"As much Of the results OF marriage
are more important to woman than
to man, so much more readily that DO
sition ought to be maintained" He
spoke refiectively, as though the full
weight OF the consideration had never
occurred to him before.
Make II personal matter, profess
sor. and you can more fully appreciate
It," she said in languidly judicial
manner. Fancy yourself the recipi-
ent OF a proposal of marriage. How
1t would elevate the woman In your
estimation"
His manner grew distracted and
meditative. and his reply seemed In
the nature of an assurance to his own
conscience. rather than an answer to
her remark. The girl who was hon