Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1907-05-16
II / (:
., Mr. ;. FREDERIC HARRISON.

ions, no china pigs, their tails tied uI
with ribbon bows, no sprawling pho
tographic frames. The walls vert
colored pale tint, which set off s
few fine engravings, there was q pi
ano. and there We're books--5ook:
| everywhere. A large, unwomanly
looking writing table stood in a cor
ner near the fire; a huge pewter ink
stand roso conspicuous upon it amid
| a welter of strewn papers,
The owner of the room sat by tn,
| fire, near the tea.table, a rosy ligh
falling upon her face and shadow.
hair from the reading.lamp.
AN! is it you?" she exclaimed, as s
all man entered the room, after pre-
| urinary knock.
We'll! have you done anything
have you heard anything? have yoi
| got it," she said eagerly.
That will depend upon you." he re
piled with a smile sitting down in 9
chair opposite hers. and carefully be
slowing his hat in corner.
But how can 1t depend upon me"
| said she: surely they have not refus
| ed you after all that has passed?"
They did not refuse. for l never
made an application
She fell back In her chair. what
you had this chance, the opportunit.
of your life. and you have let 1t go by
Think of all 1t would have meant"
But supposing | don't see 1t in tina
light? A man must decide for himself
| | should lose all zest in my work, al
incentive, If / went out to give tn,
higher culture to the youth Of Tim
buctoo"
"But think of the position, the goot
salary, the opening it would hay,
been!"
What materialists the women Of to
day have become! The only romano,
left In the world Is among the womer
of my mothers generation"
She rose as II to shake off disa
greeable impression, and began to ar
range the teatable, setting clean cur
and making fresh tea in little brown
tCuPot- DhO wac hot q uCduliiut WYNN
an, nor woman who would have at
tracted notice in society; but in thu
intimacy of her simple home she wa,
charming. The somewhat ascetic If,
she led was plain In the refinement
and dignity of her movements. tn,
poise 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-whei
/ should be setting before you thu
folly of your proceedings. And now
that you have spurned the ball for
tune laid at your feet, what are yot
going to do next?"
Now, that is not nice Of you," sale
he. 1T takes away all the gracious
ness of your welcome, and spoils YOU
| delicious teal"
She sprang up and went to the win
dow, from whence pale gray shadows
of houses could be seen on the other
side of the river, while dark boats ap
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
holly, land cannot bear 1t. 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 CO."
The door closed, and she flung her,
self down upon the low couch; largo
teaSS 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
fure that 1t 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;
t had taken from her the sense Of
loneliness that she had been so over
whelming when she first tried to live
alone; 1t 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, &c
stimulate, and even to rebuke; and
on her part had she not borne to be
;colded and laughed at; and now was
It all to end?
why, my DEAR" said cheerful
voice, what is the matter? You did
not hear my knock. came back be-
sause-well-I had left my gloves be-
hind. But you surely are not taking
my words seriously! You were very
rude to me, you know, and do not
brook that, though 1t was part of our
bargain that we should be free, equal,
and independent in our relations with
each other. You remember our treaty
Of alliance-great fudge 1t was, too
out ] did not mean to hurt you. See
acre, dear" said he, and drew a chair
beside her seat, taking both her hands
in his You good women so often
ion't understand man. Now, came
20 tell you, that, though had made ur
my mind not to apply for this foreign
post, which in all probability | should
nave got, and which | loathed, / hac
,ound another, II more modest, open
ing at home, and that was now free
nan-free to marry the woman of my
ser up as tea-maker Of my own
Now, will you come with me, or are
you so devoted to this place. that yo.
sould not leave It? / dare say you
,ould find room for me here. cant
lllow you to say No. and / am mol
going to let you live any longer by
yOuTS6il.
~ 40