Gilpin observer., 1909-05-20

in suburban village, where every
prospect pleases. and only man is
artificial? Now, don't you fancy that
you and can find just another such
a coZy bungalow hereabouts-"
JIMMY"
l had known beforehand that she
would say exactly that, in exactly that
way. / turned up my coat-collar and
shivered resignedly.
You could see that poor Rosalie's
outraged spirit still struggled for ex-
preston. even up to the very gates
of the house. Her tragedy-queen ges-
ture had all the effect of a personal
grievance against everything in sight
the pretty porch, the smiling posies
all about us, the whole charming and
tasteful ensemble, bespeaking culture
and every refinement of modern liv-
ing.
Can it be wondered that l become
enraged at the whole matrimonial
proposition, when l see so grand
woman deliberately renouncing such
career? And for what? Just answer
me that" and my adored ones blue
willow-feathers shook so truculently
as to loosen the two tiny gold-dust
curls just over her left ear. They al.
ways escape like that when she is ex-
cited, and 1 always yearn to put them
back. And then Immediately l want
to see them loose again.
Great Scott! Rosalie! Don't
glare at me in that awful manner!
1t isn't my fault. Alii no DOUBT she's
perfectly satisfied. Ha! Sofa pill
iows!" as my exultant glance took in
The long. low windows of the veranda.
thiclsly stl ned with cushions oi n de.
ii2htfu!iy lucid and melodramati. va.
| riety. IF cofa pillows be one of tho
baneful results of matrimony-"
chuckled; but my sinful mirth was
promptly subdued into a respectful
silence.
Spare me the masculine view Of
woman's career! Her higher educa-
ton, college degrees, foreign travel.
i brilliant lectures and magazine es-
says-what are these to be compared
! with her domestic virtues and the al
lurements of suburban cottage, with
morning eiories rioting about the pi-
azza-"
And sofa pillows, Rosie. Whole
prisms of 'em!" entreated.
"Oh, but it makes me fairly desper-
ate! To think of the wicked sacri-
fice-the injustice of it all!
| There was such a convincing ring
of actual anguish in Rosalie's voice
that l fastened to repress the face
tious rejoinder 1 was sorely tempted
to make.
The sight of the hall door standing
ajar suddenly inspired me with gilt
tering idea.
Il say. Rosie" 1 whispered, Tets
step inside and surprise her You
can do your scolding afterward. Just
see how easy!" And quite noislessly
we tiptoed into a large, cozy apart.
ment which. while not exactly hall,
was not yet a drawing-room, but
rather the two combined in a charm
ingly hospitable and unconventional
fashion.
From upstairs a gentle murmur of
voices foated down to us. We looked
at one another guiltily and waited. ap.
prehensive as criminals, for some
tuiHs 10 nappen.
1t happened. From somewhere
right beside us in the room there sud-
denly arose the softest, queerest little
sound-a cooling, appealing, helpless
cry, like nothing else in all this big,
callous, sinful world. Rosalie and I
stood petrif. Our startled gaze di-
rected to a deep white crib over in
the corner. from whose multitudinous
wrappings the peculiar disturbance
seemed to emanate. AS we looked a
vigorous wee pink fist waved joy.
ously In the air, this phenomenon
being followed by tiny pink toes
wriggling strenuously at the surround
ing atmosphere. Then more COOS and
gurgles and grunts of deep content
ment.
| l remember nothing SO distinctly as
my dear girls face; how the color,
stricken out OF 1t in that first instant
OF bewilderment, came rushing back
in glorious crimson flood, as with
faint sob she tottered over and sank
upon her knees-my naughty Rosa
lie!-beside that blessed kid.
'Rosie-belovedest!
| But. great Jupiter! How can fel-
low say things to a girl who shows
only the edge Of a hot red cheek, wet
with tears, while her arms are hugged
tight about an absurd bundle of lace
and silk fixings and ribbon bows?
All me! had thought had loved
her before, but now Something
tugged wildly at my stupid mascu-
line heart and could only look on In
silent. helpless alteration.
"Oh. Jimmy" she quavered ecstat.
ically, isn't he Just too lovely? Look
real hair! Oh-h! And the cutest
little finger nails! See, Jimmy! You
| must see! Aren't they simply too