The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-10-31
e T was at one of Henrietta Twombley's rece

vt was at one of Henrietta Twombley's recep-
tons that Jessica and l were privileged, for
the first time, to gaze upon the intellectual
countenance OF Mrs. Warburton and to listen
- to the words OF wisdom that fell suavely
from her lips. That we experienced more
pleasure in the indulgence of the second privilege
than in that of the first was due to the existence in
US both OF an almost abnormal love of beauty and to
the presence in Mrs. Warburton's face OF several
features that at first sight painfully repealed US. Her
eyes, to begin with, p%rotruded to a degree which
gave her an expression of chronic surprise; that they
were softly brown. and at times Of a really extra
ordinary brilliancy, were but meagre aids to reason
for checking our recoil. We objected, also. to her
mouth, which had a trick, highly unpleasant to Jes-
sica, OF smiling on one side only, thus suggesting a
half-nouthed heartiness more than half depressing.
In time, / admit, the incongruity of this phenomenon
fascinated me but Jessica's prejudice against Mrs.
Warburton's smile remained violent and unreasoning.
She stunned the contemplation OF it to a degree
bordering on rudeness, and passed the early part of
the evening lurking behind portieres and potted
palms that they might blot it from her view. Thus,
though frequently within sound of the soothing rip
pie Of Mrs. Warburton's ~contralto voice, Jessica
missed many of the choicest gems of thought with
which that eminent person favored us. Pursuing my
individual researches, however, / was enabled not
only to hear these, but to discover that the lady,
though still further handicapped by an insignificant
and characterless nose, had as conpensations an adj
mirable complexion, beautiful teeth, a superb car
rage. and a really surprising amount of magnetism.
to which both men and women promptly and hap
PLY succumbed. So great was this last, indeed, that
she was soon surrounded by her fellow guests, who.
8lIeT reluctantly ylelQln& themselves TO our Dean1lnR
hostess for the introduction. remained chatting
easily with the lioness of the evening for a few
moments, and then, with expressions of artless sur
prise and relief, attached themselves permanently to
her circle. Accustomed as I was to similar assemb-
lagos where the guest of honor stands in a corner
supported by the hostess and one or two intrepid
feverishly seeking within themselves sentiments
worthy the ears of a celebrity, I was naturally much
impressed by the phenomenon before me. I ap-
preached, / Joined the circle, and / listened.
Mira. WarhurfOn was holding forth az wa -
pected OF her and in response to the rather too OBJ
vious leads OF the hostess; but doing it so a%rtistically.
or that one of her listeners, that they proved the
accuracy of her shots like targets which ring when
the ~bulfs-eye is struck. One or two even had the
temerity to disagree with her, and this apparently
delighted her SO much that her brown eyes seemed
to pop out of her head with excitement and interest
as she laughingly met the issues they raised. l saw
Jessieas blond mead SHINING among the draperies OF
. window not far away. and under cover of the
focused interest I imperatively motioned her to ap-
proach. She came with reluctant feet, and eyes, as
it were, turned inward.
"You're missing everything" I explained to her in
a reproachful aside. "She's holding them all. George
Everett has left his gum shoes in the hail and settled
who, to my certain knowledge, has played solitaire
in a corner at each of the last FIVE receptions he has
attended. is glued to her side. She appears to be
Jyessica's delicate brows arehed higher.
Fascinating then-with that smilef" she MUIR
INJURED disdainfully.
WIN 1C-OI NOTWITHSTANDING It., ! fetOfteQ. Il
don't pretend to have analysed the thing at this early
stage. It's a condition I'm mentioning-not a theory.
Look at her now"
Jessica looked, and looked intently. Almost in the
Instant Mrs. Warburton caught her eye.
Miss Belden agrees with me on this point, at
least" she exclaimed, gayly, nodding toward my
it, in her second book. It interested me then, but
did not quite convince me. Afterwards discovered
its truth"
Neither Jessica nor I had the faintest idea what
eSOecial point she meant. absorbed as we had heen
in our own exchange of condolences, but Jessica
ssw.ayed forward, as | subsequently, explained to her,
like a fascinated bird under the eye of the calculating
serpent. serpent
agree. Who dares dispute us?"
She was still on the outside of the circle as she
spoke. Mrs. Warburton make two quick steps for
ward from the centre, and with a touch, surprisingly
cordial, intimate yet %dignifed, drew her within.
shall help me down him. l must make the most of
our agreement this time, for I know very we'll that
you will never agree with me again. You are so
There was a y" chorus 3ms" Of courteous .em maM1 protest So e ;n which
the voice of Professor Alphonse Olivier rose loud
and clear. He had in my hearing, but a fortnight
article as the vaporings, of an ~hystercal woman,
lacking literary style, logic and fact, and of actually
immoral tendency, but he seemed to have reversed
this severe judgment now as he stood beaming upon
her with his near-sighted gray eyes.
A prolonged sigh at my left ear drew my attention
from this pleasing picture of masculine subsection.
4uIH1HS, l Recognized IIlWnS, a clever young artist,
dragged by an Intellectual mother to this and SINH
lar gatherings where he made no secret of his gloom
and isolation. He openly approved Of me, however.
finding my conversation, he gratefully explained,
wholly free from theories and ideas, don't you
know" Sympathetically l withdrew with Grif6ng
to a distant corner, where we sat down side by side.
/, toe, was a little tired of theories and ideas.
What does she write about, anyhow" demanded
Grif6ng, gazing drearily at his shoes. "You know
never read women's things, but I've got a general
idea that hers are worse than the average. Wants to
feyOlutiOniZe society doesn't she and elect w0nnen
Presidents, and put babies out to farm, or something
like that"
FASTENED to turn the sunshine of an optimistic
mind on this cold gray cloudiness.
mot a bit. Your course in art has not taught you
to draw conclusions" explained with brisk sever
ity. call she wants is entire equality for women and
men. Men don't give their lives to domestic service
and the care of children; and she thinks women
should not, unless they consider it their special voca.
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