Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-30
SMALL TOWN
LOVE AFFAIRS
They Have All the Complications
of Those in Cities-The Psy-
chology of the Affections

Suppose Hllda Fordham never had made
that visit to her cousin Harriet Sterling?
The reader of Anchorage" shudders to
think what, then might have happened to
Harriet and Paul Osborne Day after day,
perhaps, would have been disposed of by
droning through golden hours Of spring
sunshine, reading and making notes on
speculative philosophy. instead of finally
realizing their love for each other. Can one
imagine anything like It?
Before Hda's arrival It happened that
Harriet, one glorious day while bees were
droning among the morning glories and
the fragrance Of flowers waited from the
garden, said:
ITS too pretty day for Huxley"
Answered Paul: DO you think science
must adapt itself to the weather."
Fancy that
This situation is relieved by the arrival
of Bill Splnters, who pops his head above
the blossom-covered wall and in a wizzened
voice pipes, ANY kndlin' this mawnin'?'
Everything changes with the advent of
Hilda, girl Of twenty, sweet attractive,
clever accustomed to receive admiration,
possessing rare tact and a fair knowledge
of human nature.
Happens, the obvious Paul. who for
years has been treated as a professional
! invalid, invites the pity Of Harrlet's spright-
ly guest, and falls in love. Speculative
philosophy is neglected for long walks. The
| human heart becomes Of greater interest
than the pages Of Huxley. FINALLY the
green-eyed monster introduces himself TO
complete the triangle Harriet goes about
her work as usual for she Is a lady. And
| ladies' hearts are not worn on the sleeve.
Some women wear them there; a lady
never. But the little Georgia town where
| the scene of the story Is laid talks about il.
| Finally Paul and Hlda are to he married,
Bill Splinters frankly opposes the match.
This here marriage is agin human natur,"
| he eNplodes And he expresses public opin.
| ion pretty well. It could not be possible for
| Paul the perpetual invalid, TO be happy
with this ew-fangled wife. But the we'd
| ding took place.. as weddings have a habit
| of doing Paul delayed things at the last
| moment by forgetting the ring; Hilda g
| mother cried Harriet continued to main
| tain reserve; Doctor Ersl<ine, "A peasant
| character in the book, looked grave and
| thought of the future; and Hlda was
| happy.
Poor man" said Hilda's mother who
/ knew her daughter. her eyes followed
| the carriage bearing off the bridal couple
| 81 hope she loves him"
81 hope so" Harriet echoed and, turn
| ing, they both entered the house.
And how does it turn out? Pretty much
| as one might expect. Hilda, the butterfly
| is unable TO stand being housed in" MOI
| Is she able to agree with Louisa, Paul's
maiden sister and an excellent housekeeper
81 think it's chilly" said Hilda one rainy
morning.
81 never have a fire this time of the
| year" stiffly responds Louisa.
IIilda drums upon the windowpane.
Those windows were washed yesterday. :
| snaps Louisa. Louisa has a big heart and
a system She permits Hilda only to see
| the latter.
Unable to bear much Of this sort of thing
and. never entirely in sympathy with Paul'
| activities, Hlda goes away. There is tn,
| customary ueighborhood gossip, but Pau
| gradually gets over the shock and resumes
his work. Louisa and Harriet help him.
| Three years later Paul meets Hilda II
! New York. They talk over matters anC
| agree on a divorce. Pauls book of specu
lative philosophy never is published in
! stead he becomes poet He and Harrie
finally stumble over their love for eaCl
other. Harriet knew It, but Paul did not.
Florence Olmstead, the author of AN
| Chorage," has in her book pleasantly define
ated the psychology of human affections
She has carefully kept TO the small-town In
| dividua and has thereby chosen perhap!
the most interesting type Of persons to dis
cuss, The book is well worth while.
| ANCHORAGE. BY Florence olmstead, author
of "a Cloistered Romance" and Father
| Bernard's Parish" New York: Charlie!
Scrlbner's Sons. s135.