The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1908-01-17
ABOUT
MAETERLsNCk
DIANA MAKES A GOOD FIGHT
BUT GLADYS GETS TIE
DECISION

Diana wore her hair parted in the
middle, revealing an expanse of bull
ging forehead. Eyeglasses clipped
tightly on her nose and tilted forward
gave further evidence of intellectual
ty. When Clarence could get his eyes
away from Gladys he noticed that
Diana's jaws were set.
AS soon as the conversation changed
to Maeterlinck Clarence knew that he
was in for it. There was no use IN
remarking that his knowledge of the
drama was limited to Clyde Fitch and
Dietrichstein. He simply had to look
deep If only to keep up appearances
for Gladys sake. She looked sugar
sweet in baby blue.
(Which do you think is the true
Maeterlinck?" Diana had popped al
Clarence, the mystic or the reals
tic?"
THAT depends" said Clarence des
perately. IT'S all, you see-er-er-
in the point of view. absolutely-er-
in the point of view. In fact
wouldn't hesitate to say-er-er--in
fact"
The agony was awful. Clarence
looked mildly idiotic. If he had con.
tinued, Maetrlinck would have driven
him into a padded cell. Luckily Diana
interrupted.
What mean" she said. us that we
are turning away from the mystics
to confront cold, hard facts"
"Oh," said Clarence, much relieved
His mind and eye were now beginning
to wander Gladysward.
why do you know" continued Di-
ana, even primary colors are begin
ming to have a vogue among intel
lectual people?"
Give me American Beauties nesting
ence just then. IF ever any girl ever
looked emnently kissable-"
Are you following me-" asked Di.
ana, somewhat sharply.
81 don't altogether deny" said Clar.
ence rather confusedly, that primary
colors are bad or-er-er-that is to
say, unattractive. Red, for instance,
properly set off"
Gladys was blushing very prettily
and looking at Clarence out of the
corners of her eyes. oh, that look!
"Of course colors should be con-
trasted. | won't deny that" asserted
Diana wiping her glasses, but as
was saying we have outgrown the
mystic tendency"
ITO be sure" said Clarence absent
mindedly.
where the past saw beauty in re-
pose we now see beauty in action"
Indeed We don't altogether" said
Clarence. A fine chance to please
Gladys had looined up. Il still see
beauty in repose."
1t wasn't altogether Clarence's fault.
Gladys was gracefully reclining
against the cushions of Morris chair
Diana was leaning forward, glasses in
hand forehead corrugated with
thought.
IF you do you are classical In
spirit" she dogmatically asserted.
Personally Clarence did not know
what he was. He let 1t go at that.
Undoubtedly you have on your side
all the wealth of statuary chiselled by
Greek and Italian masters"
Clarence resisted the impulse to say
Have -" Instead he listened atten
lively. Silence is an asset with intel
lectual girls. you know.
81 can very we'll see," went on Diana
how any beautiful object grows upon
one through its mere presence. 1t is
said that the Mona Lisa"
81 agree with you there" Clarence
interrupted hastily Beautiful OBJ
jects do grow upon you"
No wonder. Gladys was expanding
in his brain to heroic proportions. Di
ana suddenly remembered that they
had wandered from the topic. I'VE
were discussing Maeterlinck, I be
lieve," she recollected.
Clarence murmured YES" with the
cheerfulness of hired mourner.
He began, as you are aware, by
being symbolic and mystical. Then
suddenly, through a mental process
which has not yet been explained, he
turned aside from, the vague"
She stopped suddenly, for Clarence
had risen to pick up the lace handker
chief that Gladys had let fall. Its
delicate perfume was intoxicating. AS
he handed 1t back Gladys whispered
81 feel awfully warm; don't you?"
"We1l go out and get some fresh
air." Clarence said, with inward joy
No computations fingered in his
mind about leaving the Maeter
linck question unsettled. Maeterlincb
deserved all he got, and more. For
10 uncomfortable minutes he had kept
Clarence on the rack. What did Clar
ence care for the Belgian playwright
anyhow?
He was helping Gladys on with her
cloak. very faint odor of sweel
lavender chung to her. Imperceptible
though 1t was, it went through his
very beiny.
AS they passed out arm in arm Di
ana called back after them
Mr. Dawson, just thought thai
Ibsen Is artiStically a parallel"