Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-10-19

lights. And, remember, never before knew the meaning of the word happi- ness"
 "Um-m! You are happy" he re peated I'm so glad to know it, Eu- nice"
 of course one constantly sees things that sadden. No sooner am I deep in the enjoyment and interest of some pleasure than I am confronted with a sight of poverty that makes my own possessions seem wholly wrong. didn't work for this money-why should have it?"
 But your father worked for it, he said. knowing very well he was instill- ing false social economy.
 That doesn't make it right" she shook her head.
 "Perhaps not" he granted.
 "I think" she went on, that people would interest me more than anything else in the world if only they were real, were themselves; but have yet to meet a man or woman of the world who seems to me genuine-except you and my aunt. And Aunt Eunice seems to be herself only when we are alone. Perhaps" she suddenly looked up at him, If I saw you with other people you, too, would seem artificial to me and to be acting a part"
 There's no telling, Eunice, what your unclouded eyes would seer'
 Some things seem so strange" she went on; Aunt Eunicc and all the people who make up what she calls her set meaning sort of clan) are so hemmed in by social laws, so ham, pered onall sides by perfectly meaning less rules and customs, so taken up with details which are trivial and un- essential-and very tiresome to them- selves. but which they nevertheless take heed tO-for what reason 1t is hard to make out-that at times they all seem like puppets moving at the pull of string-with no freedom of motion at all and no spontaneity. It stiles mer'
 po oL, lSSu ucu Slle IDduSeu, her fresh impressions interesting him.
 q ask myself sometimes, Is all life a slavery, only in different forms? Ev- cry one seems to be in bondage of some sort. The men of Aunt Eunice's clan are slaves to the women; a man allows himself to become a mere mon- ey making machine for no other ap- parent reason than to keep his wife and daughters in idleness or to give them opportunity to cultivate them selves. 1t seems that the man doesn't need time for culture. It's no obiec- tion to him If he does have some cul- ture, but it must not interfere with his money making. But the women must have leisure for the study of art. for society and other feminine occupa- tions. Aunt Eunice says that if man is gentleman he will work night and day to give his wife or daughter absolute leisure to do as she pleases. I don't see the sanity of it or the justice. If a woman does not rear family and make n home or else work at some vocation. if she is simply the daughter of household, spending her time cultivating herself in music and literature and gracing social affairs, of what significance is her existence in the economy of the universe? What point has her life?"
 She turned to him with her old wist- full appeal. These commonplace prob lens, so new to her, were evidently vexing her sorely.
 "Is it perhaps enough just to be-" he suggested. If only one be lovely and good and a delight to others"
 But" she objected. "is it possible to be anything worth while-anything strong and worthy-without work. ef fort. responsibility I am looking on at life not to judge and criticise. but only to learn. but sometimes judgment is forced upon me by what sec"
 "And perhaps you. with your unso- phisticated eyes. may he able to see deeper truth than is vouchsafed to old duffers like Vs-your aunt and me, I mean"
 But" she answered impetuously. "whatever impresses me I try to see through your eyes as we'll as my own. wondering what you would think about this or that which bewilders or puzzles mo. Tn everything that l do or sec your presence seems to he with me constantly. I have longed So un- speakably to have all these experiences with you actually and not just in fancy"
 KlnroSs felt the blood surge to his very forehead. He answered her with an abrupt question.
 ''Why tliI you leave my letter unan- swered. Eunice?'
 Her eyes fell. She did not reply at once
 T couldn't write to you"
 And why?'
 Aunt Eunice kept urging me to write. She said I must express my gratitude to you for all yOu had done for me. hut my feeling for you is so far above gratitude-it is a feeling so much larger and greater than that Yet" she added, her head dropping. T cOuId not write of it to you. and so could not write at all, for there is to me sacredGess in my feeling for you which would seem belftfIed and even desecratei by my not being true to 1t I could write to you out of the fullness of Tnr heart ar he sFznut-
 He suddenly caught her hand. hang ing at her side. and clasped 1t in grip that hurt her If To1 had wit ten to ne out Of the fuIIness Of your rz -E - a---Nn-- u.