The Dickinson press., 1916-11-11
The Origin Of
Love
BY ESTHER VANDEVEER

air was crisp. The sun shone brightly.
but not warm. The leaves were all
colors, some still on the trees, but most
Of them on the ground.
Beatrice Thorne and Edgar Swift
were walking on this variegated car
pet. They had both graduated from
college the previous June and their
heads were overlooking with knowl-
edge-that modern knowledge which
tells us that we are a condemnation
Of molecules; that we are fortresses
against incursions Of bacteria: that
our brains are a sort Of Photographic
laboratory containing myriads Of
plates.
do you believe asked Beatrice,
that life is indigenous to the earth?"
"Sir William Hamilton" Edgar re-
piled, Suggested that it came from
a neighboring planet. A pretty con-
ceit, that of the vital principle waited
from Venus to earth as the wind car
ries pollen from flower to fQwerj''
II this dialogue were to continue in
the scientific clouds mention of the
planet Venus was unfortunate. While
the scientific couple were talking Of
the vital principle they were really
thinking Of the love principle.
DO you believe love-" asked Bea-
tr1ce, lis an entity or simply the re-
suit of chemical action within us?"
Il cannot see why love should be
different, basically considered, from
nate. Two plants, the one containing
poison, the other capable Of produc-
ing curative properties, are built on the
same fundamental principle"
| The couple had passed from under
trees into an open space. An inclosed
field blocked their way. Edgar help
ed Beatrice over the fence, and they
were crossing the field when she asked
this profound question. Being absorb.
ed IN themselves they did not see a
bull, who stood looking at them with
evident interest. They had nearly
reached the fence on the other side of
the Enclosure when the bull began a
slow trot toward them.
Edgar, glancing aside, saw the beast
coming. Selling Beatrice by the arm,
he hurried her to the fence. Before
they could reach it she collapsed, and,
taking her in his arms, he carried her
to 1t and had only time to drop her
on the other side and get over himself
when the bulls horns perforated his
coattail and held him suspended across
the uppermost rail. Fortunately the
cloth did not hold, and the ma drop.
ped beside the girl.
While the bull was paving the ground
on the other side Of the fence Edgar
held Beatrice in his arms, his eyes bent
on her face. She opened hers and look.
ed up into his. The bull stopped paw
ing and, evidently satisfied with being
left supreme in his domain. walked
away. .
Are you hurt, dearest?" asked Ed
gar.
"No. Oh, Edgar, what a narrow,
frightful escape"
His hands were clasped under her
shoulders; therefore his face was not
far distant from hers. She closed her
eyes, and, considering that she was not
hurt, he construed this to be the grant
AS Il Oh opPOLIuAAIy " CdhC u AAo0i
which favor he accepted. This recalled
her to her surroundings, and she sal
up, while he said a great deal to bel
in which the word love figured fire.
quently, but not scientifically. Then
there was a cluster Of kisses, aftel
which they arose, and Beatrice, lean
ing on his arm, they walked slowly
onward. Coming to a large fiat stone
that formed a convenient seat, they
sat down. The place was elevated
and they could see the bull quietly nib
bling at the grass. The man, having
been satisfied with the quantum of un
scientific love he had .quaffed, turned
again to it's consideration as a princi
pie.
"Let me see," be said; where were
WEI"
The girl showed the feminine nature
by RELOCATING the origin Of love to thu
winds. Love itself was more interest
ing to her. =
ooh, Edgar" she said, show noble i
was of you to save me! You coulf
easily have escaped by leaving me t.
my fate. Suppose the bull had goret
you?"
She shuddered and chung to him. III
took I'D his coattail and looked at tn
rents in it.
81 wonder what it was," he SAT-
thouphtfully. "that prompted me- II