The bee., 1908-02-13

fairs. For some mcaths. after If,
death she was a prey to what she told
herself was Inconsistencies, and wheth
er this was its real name or no. Il is
certain that she was conscious OF a
pleasurable excitement as she stepped
of the train to be welcomed, not only
by the elderly kinswoman inhabitine
the Deane home. but also by a select
circle of old friends, Judge Carroll IN.
cluded.
Not long thereafter ensued the re.
action. In addition there we're other
discomforts. Miss Deane was an a.
cellent housekeeper, but exhaustive
discussions on the subject wearied her.
She enjoyed the companionship of
bright children. but not the too minute
relations OF their teeth and stomach
troubles, and OF their infectious dis.
eases. She entertained regard for
her own sex, but was not habltuated
to open and detailed descriptions OF
Its physical ills. She was replete with
human interests, but would have made
q poor reporter for q village paper.
Accustomed to intelligent and imper.
sonal intercourse with both sexes. she
was now to discover that any kind
Of intercourse. however impersonal.
with a married man was promptly fol.
lowed by a hurried and suspicious
tightening Of the domestic apron
strings. Any attempt at like asso-
citation with the few still extant bach.
elors OF her own generation resulted
equally promptly either in matrimon.
ial symptoms on their part or in
eager and critical expectancy of such
on the part Of the village Mrs. Grundy
She also found that her experience of
the world and her inalienable interest
in its AFFAIRS gave rise to a vague dis
trust OF her "womanliness." In short.
like other women before and since.
she partook Of all the disadvantages
OF increasing years without single
one OF its advantages.
All these things should, with Miss
Deane's humorous disposition, have
merely amused her She was shocked
and COMPOUNDED to find that they hui
her. For them-and for something
slse-she had not been entirely pre-
pared.
Judge Carroll called upon her at re.
spectful intervals. In the summers of
the past they had strolled or sat be-
side the running creek at the foot
Of the grove. Now they sat discreet
ly on the porch in chairs. Their con-
versation related almost wholly to alb
stract subjects--the news Of the day,
books. music and kindred topics
Carroll, though Of a later genera
ion. was both in appearance and ad-
iress Virginia gentleman of the old
school. to whom social intercourse with i,
4 lady implies courtesy of the finest |
type. Therefore when one evening, I'm |
he midst Of an animated discussion
n which Miss Deane was bearing well
her part. he drew out his watch and
IL. his hostess was impatient
y conscious OF a wound. Such action
IN the part of n visitor is inevitably
more or less ungfacious, and coming
rom so well-bred man as Judge Car
oil. II was TO say the least. chilling. /
Pardon me. Miss Dean" he OBJ
Ierved with elaborate courtesy. but
he charms of your society have made
he foreget an engagement at your
leIghbor's. Uncle Ike is to come
lround with his violin and we are to
lance, I understand" Il
He arose, hat in hand.
Alicia forgot her mourning. which
night account for the fact that she
vas never invited 10 these juvenile
she only remembered that
lere she was considered passee-she
whose partners were in the habit. OF
'verrunning the limits of her pro
,rammel
DO not keep the young folks wait
ng on my account. judge!" she re-