The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-13

At this Elizabeth laughed aloud "The eternal
MASCULINE" she said to herself HE made such a
good job OF getting down himself he's he
help somebody else Through her laughter how
ever she noticed with what instructive art the
raw countrygirl adapted herself to the mans point
Of view, allowed her vigorous young body to be
guided cautiously down the steps, and up on the
station platform as though she infirm old
woman, and how she smiled gratefully at the man
who had poted her safely through this danger
expedition.
Elizabeth labeled the mans answering adoring
gaze Extensively patronizing" but there some
thing else in it which had never been in any gaze
directed on her. and her smile died away. 1t
Cured to her uncomfortably that she might really
know less about the problems being those Of
mean and petty articles, and of life itself
ignobe affair; and reflected with some bitterness
that undoubtedly Dolly would call that looking at
things they really were.
Afterwards, in meditating the matter, she con-
cluded that this the turning point; that over
come as by last straw by the unspeakable dreari-
of Hoosac Junction, she then and there came
to her momentous decision; but at the time she
was aware only of general sinking OF the heart
and forlorn desolation. She wished heartily that
her visit in the mountains were over and she were
on her way back to Albany. When the train to
Manchester appeared she climbed YEARLY in drop
ped into the first seat, and took perverse pleas
in not looking out at the mountains as they be-
gan to shoulder themselves up above the horizon.
Dolly had once said of her that for sudden pitch
black fits of melancholy nobody could equal a per
son like Elizabeth who laughed great deal.
The moody traveller ignored the people in the
car as she ignored the lovely summer landscape.
that she was quite surprised that evening when
her neighbor at dinner began the conversation by
saying, You may think I'm stranger to you, but
I'm not I sat across the aisle from you and stared
at you all the way from Hoosac Junction up here"
NTH ofrO wh M
offence and waited for her answer to strike the key
note of their acquaintance.
I'm afraid wasn't a cheerful object for contem-
plation" began Elizabeth with her pleasant imper-
sonal laugh, 81 feeling horribly blue and de-
pressed and wondering #" She was again
startled to hear quaver In her voice. and stop
ped, flushing at the idea of telling stranger what
had been depressing her on that journey.
The young man evidently considered that the key
note OF sentmentaty had been struck and Joined
the harmony at once by leaning towards her impul-
sivey and saying in low. intimate tone Il saw you
looked unhappy and frightened. 1t made want
to take Of you.''
These last words resounded loudly in Elizabeth's
ears. Perhaps Dolly was right. She glanced up and
down the table. Nobody knew her except her host
ess who desperately preoccupied with the cares
of a large houseparty. Her visit in Manchester
opened before her like clean white sheet on which
she could write herself down any character she
chose without fear of detection She looked again at
her companion, who preserving the most discreet OF
expectant silences persuaded her dumbly to conf
dence with softly inviting dark eyes.
She drew long breath and made the plunge.
AS she brushed her hair before her mirror that
night laughed inextinguishably at the recollec
ton OF the rest OF the evening, but she was half
frightened nevertheless at the ease with which, the
plunge once TAKEN she hao sailed away upon
known and, to her. wholly uncharted She tried
to imagine Uncle Henry's face II he had heard her
ending with pathetic, Il know It's foolish to be SO
sensitive, but cant help it. I'm SO dependent upon
others care!"
The impetus OF her start had carried them both
along intimate discussion Of the real nature Of
women. in which Elizabeth, summoning Dolly's
hooking spirit to her aid. had proclaimed the
universally clinging vine. and herself the fra
est Of its tendrils She woke up in the night and
while she shvered nervously at the thought Of
where she might end II she continued to joke, she
laughed aloud at the vision Of herself masQuerading
in that guise She her fear resolutely out Of her
mind. The irresponsibity Of transient relationships
both dazzled and treasured her. She would never
meet OF these people again she told hersef and
never in the world would she have such oppor-
tunty to IL Dolly right
Morning light brought reaction from her reso-
luton and after breakfast abe sat in the library
with Paul Mortimer. her last nights dinner partner
leaning over her shoulder instructng her how to
a check-book. (She had brought
down stairs for the purposel.
DO sign here." she asked. "or is 1t the date that
goes that line? / never can remember" Here
she sighed prettiy over the complications of bust
ness life, and. Oh my goodness! Do have to do
it all over again the stub you call it: what
funny name! And now, which do get the money
from, the check the stub!"
At the end OF this extraordinary speech she Joined
Mortimers plying laugh at her impractcality with
wild whoop of merriment whose almost hysterical
genuineness she feared would betray her. She. who
had her widowed fathers household ever since
she was little girl to be asking where to sign a
check
After this important business transaction COM