The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-10-31

y was at one Of Henrietta Twomblcy's recep-
tons that .Jessica and l were privileged, tor
the first time, to gaze upon the intellectual
countenancc 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 i'll that OF the first was due to the existence in
US both OF an almost abnormal love OF beauty and to
the presence iii Mrs. Warburtons face OF several
features that at first sight painfully repeNed 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-
hali-1nouthed heartiness more than half depressing.
In time, ! admit, the ineongruity of this phenomenon
fascinated me, but Jessiea'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, l 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 ad-
mirable complexion, beautiful teeth, a superb car
riage, and a really surprising amount OF magnetism,
10 winch DOtn men ana women promptly and hap
PLY succumbed. So great was this last, indeed, that
she was soon surrounded by her fellow guests, who.
after reluctantly yielding themselves to our beaming
hostess tor 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
lagos where the guest Of honor stands in a corner
supported by the hostess and one or two intrepid
friends, while the remaining guests remain aloof,
feverishly seeking within themselves sentiments
w0ffhv the ears of a celehrifv I yvac naturally, rp,,~b
impressed by the phenomenon before me. l ap-
preached. I Joined the circle, and ! listened.
Mrs; Warburton was holding forth, as was ex-
pected Of her and in response to the rather too OBJ
vious leads of the hostess; but doing it so artistically,
so subtly, with such a charm of individual appeal to this
or that one of her listeners, that they proved the
accuracy Of her shots like targets which ring when
the ~bulrs-eye is struck. One or two even had the
temerity, to disagree with her, and this apparently
to pop out of her head with excitement and interest
as she laughingly met the issues they raised. l saw
Jessica's blond head shining among the ~draperies of
. window not far away. and under cover of the
focused interest l imperatively motioned her to ap-
proach. She came with reluctant feet, and eyes, as
it were, turned inward.
a reproaehiui aside. sshe's Soldin sSt them all 10 G aea IN
Everett has left his gum shoes in the hall and settled
at her feet for the evening, and Professor Olivier.
in a corner at each of the last five receptions he has
attended. is glued to her side. She appears to be
fascinating them"
JeSSlCdS QeuCate OrOWS afcneQ h1Shef.
Fascinating theu-with that snsilef" she muir
INJURED disdainfully.
with it-or notwithstanding it," I retorted. 81
don't pretend to have analysed the thing at this early
stage. It's a condition I'm mentioningenot 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
friend. "She said the same thing before I thought OF
it, in her second book. 1t interested me then, but
did not quite convince me. Afterwards I disroverad
its truth"
Neither Jessica nor I had the ~faintest idea what
especial point she meant, absorbed as we had been
in our own exchange of condolences, but Jessica
swayed forward, as | subsequently explained to her,
like a fascinated bird under the eye of the calculating
"Unqu,sstionably we are right" she smiled. eff we
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.
Professor Olivier dares," she explained, "and you
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
conservative, and I-they tell mean so extreme!"
the voice of Professor Alphonse Olivier rose loud
and clear. He had in my hearing, but a fortnight
ago, denounced Mrs. Warburton's latest magazine
article as the vaporings of an hysterical 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.
Turning recognized Griaing. 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,
know" sympathetically I withdrew with Griffng
to a distant corner, where we sat down side by side.
!, too, was a little tired of theories and ideas.
What does she write about, anyhow" demanded
Griffng. 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
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.
Not a bit. Your course in art has not taught you
to draw conclusions" ! explained with brisk sever
ity Al 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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