The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1907-05-30
II E
BY MRS. FREDERIC HARRISON.


everywhere. A large, unwomanly-
looking writing table stood in a cor
ner near the fire; a huge pewter ink
stand rose conspicuous upon 1t amid
weller of strewn papers.
The owner of the room sat by the
fire, near the tea-table, rosy light
falling upon her face and shadowy
hair from the reading-lamp.
"Ah, is it you?" she exclaimed, as
tall man entered the ROOM after pre-
liminary knock.
Well have you done anything?
have you heard anything? have you
got it," she said eagerly.
That will depend upon you he re-
piled with smile, sitting down in a
chair opposite hers, and carefully be-
slowing his hat In corner.
but how can it depend upon me?'
said she; surely they have not refus-
ed YOU after all that has passed."
They did not refuse, for | never
made an application"
But think of the position, the good
salary. the opening it would have
BEEN"
What materialists the women of to-
day have become, The only romance
left in the world is among the women
of my mothers generation"
She rose as if to shake off a dsa-
greeable impression, and began to ar
range the teatable, setting a clean cup
and making fresh tea in a little brown
| teapot. She was not beautiful wom-
an nor a woman who would have at
tracted notice in society; but in the
intimacy of her simple home she was
charming. The somewhat ascetic life
she led was plain in the refinement
| and dignity of her movements, the
pose Of her head suggested strength
and pride.
Yes" she laughed: you may well
call women materialists; here am !,
occupying myself with your creature
! comforts-clean cup, fresh tea-when
| should be setting before you the
! folly of your proceedings. And now
| that you have spurned the ball for
tune laid at your feet, what are you
| going to do neXt?"
Now, that is not nice of you" said
| he at takes away all the gracious
ness of your welcome, and spells your
| delicious teal"
She sprang up and went to the win
dow, from whence pale gray shadows
of houses could be seen on the other
ctr Of ha tir W heats -
| peared gliding up and down the water,
a glowing spark at their heads.
Do not be angry with me-" he said
gently, coming up and standing behind
! her. cup in hand.
"Ah, but you jest" she returned
hotly, and | cannot bear it. | do not
understand this that you have done;
| but you will make an excellent study
in my next book for your friends to
| laugh at
You need not rouble," he replied
gravely. My friends don't read your
! books! But | see that you don't want
me. | had better go"
The door closed, and she flung her
|
! tears gathered in her eyes and rolled
! down her cheeks. Was this to be the
end of their long, long friendship? She
! had hoped nay, she knew not exactly
! what she had hoped, but she was very
sure that it was nothing for herself
! but all for him. Her life had grown
! larger and fuller, because of the inter
est he had permitted her il. mis- life;
! it had taken from her the sense of
! loneliness that she had been SO over.
! Whelming when she first tried to live
! alone, it had made her feel of some
use in the world. for surely she had
been faithful to friendship, had known
| how to sympathize and encourage, to
stimulate, and even to rebuke; and
on her part had she not borne to be
scolded and laughed at; and now was
it all to end?
why, my dear" said a cheerful
voice, what is the matter? You did
not hear my knock | came back be
cause-well-l had left my gloves be
hind. But you surely are not taking
|
rude to me, you know, and do not
| brook that though it was part Of oul
bargain that we should be free, equal
and independent in our relations witt
each other You remember our treaty
| Of allance--great fudge 1t was, too
but / did not mean to hurt you. See
here. dear" said he, and drew chair
beside her seat taking both her hands
| in his. You good women SO Otter
don't understand man Now ! came
to tell you that, though had made NJ
my mind not to apply for this foreign
post. which in all probability | SHOULD
have got, and which | lOathed, | haC
| found another, If more modest, open
| man-free to marry the woman of my
choice and to carry her off and SCI
her up as tea maker OF my own
Now, will you come with me, or arr
YOU so devoted to this place that yo,
| could not leave it? | dare say YOU
could find room for me here. | can
allow you to say No and ! am no
going to let you live any longer b!
yourself.
Have you nothing to say to me
dear?"
You won't put me in your mex
book for your friends to laugh at, will
you?" whispered she; for all m.
friends read your books.