Gilpin observer., 1909-07-01

flnally ne rolled into place hamper
SO huge that it looked capable of ac-
commodating the horse of Troy.
The instant Mrs. Blander saw it she
exclaimed, gracefully: THAT is an
exponent of a most charming type!
Pray rest from your labors, while
mediate upon it. See, Clarissa, how,
noble are it's proportions, how chaste
its design, how Doric it's atmospheric!
Do you know what it suggests to me,
dear?"
Clarissa couldn't guess, SO Mrs.
Blander cried, joyously: THE Par
thenon, Clarissa 1t really does. It's
strange how these suggestions come
to me, transcendent Nominations that
open wide the windows of my being,
and register ineffaceable impressions.
That's just the way felt when l saw
this splendid hamper. 'Parthenon!
something seemed to whisper; and
Parthenon it will always mean to me.
So austere, yet so satisfyingly beauti-
full! How does it appeal to you?"
"of course, dear" modestly re-
sponded Clarissa, I'm not clever like
you, and never have occult intima-
tions, So to tell the truth, it merely
seems to me the biggest and baldest
hamper I ever saw. You'll forgive
me, Appolonia?" she concluded,
humbly.
I'm disappointed in you," Mrs.
Blander replied, palpably ruffied. Its
humiliating to know that my compan-
ionship has done so little for you,
and that this hamper is to you moth
ing but a hamper. l hope you''-turn-
ing to Mr.. Booder-"can see in it some
thing beyond the material"
Mr. Booder advanced to the side Of
the wicker elephant and peered
within. -sss
Il can't, ma'am" he confessed,
shamefacedly; there amt anything
in it l can see. not even materials
He continued gazing dejectedly into
the bowels of the hamper.
If estheticism can snort, that low
word would best describe the sound
of disgust with which Mrs. Blander
favored Mr.. Booder.
Are men but clods?' she cried.
Does intuition play no part with you?
Intuit, sir, intuit!"
of strong minded Mrs Blander and the
obedient servility of weak-minded Mr..
Booder. that in the twinkling of an
eye, and before Mr.. Booder himself
knew what he was doing. he had
leaped over the side of the hamper
and was meekly gazing out at his res
olute customer.
Clarissa showed herself not alto
gether devoid of humor md sniggered
painfully; but Mrs. Blander was SEN
/ sitive and silenced her by glance.
What do you mean," she inquired.
behaving in this fashion? Come out
at once and explain your conduct"
Mr.. Booder clambered out of the
Parthenon and answered, defiantly:
You told me to do it,
Il did nothing of the kind" contra
dicted Mrs. Blander in her most posi-
tive manner.
I'll leave it to the young lady If
you didn't" he recklessly retorted.
You called out: Into it. sir. into it,
and if that amt plain English I'd like
to know the reason why"
Once again Clarissa Jared upon
Mrs. Blanders nerves, and with a
sweeping gesture the latter waved
away the hamper.
Amt you going to take it. after
all?" asked disappointed Mr.. Booder.
loath to recommence his labors.
"Never." cried Mrs. Blander. Not
after it has been desecrated by ridi-
cule and inhabited by ignorance"
Mr. Booder quailed before her eye
and embarrassedly trundled away the
classic pile.
1t was not until all OF the stock had
been paraded before her that Mrs.
Blander decided upon a medium-sized
hamper that bulged in the middle, had
outspreading handles and a magenta
band near the top.
1.-The magenta border is q blow to
me-" she explained to Mr.. Booder.
"as the room in which 1t is to be
placed is in ethereal blue, and l fear
a subtle antagonism between the
two"
THE price of this" began Mr..
Booder. pencil in hand, glad to be on
the ground he comprehended.
But not so. Mrs. Blander raised a
supplicating hand as she said: DO
not name the price, beg of you.
make it point never to sully an OBJ
ject at the time OF purchase by iden-
tifying 1t with the cost II. when It
is delivered. find 1t beyond what I
can afford. simply return 1t. In this
way l contribute my mite toward
spiritualizing trade. Now let US go.
Clarissa. and as we go let us cast fire.
quent glances at the new symbol. for
wish to carry away distinct pic
ture unconfused with environing OBJ
jects."
So Mrs. Blander glided from the
| Of tho fiuaa hack n I'd