Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1919-10-16
Opposites
~
By RALPH HAMILTON
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

man and manufacturer, fo1lc1IaIeQ
himself with the belief that he had
mapped out a pleasant retirement
from trade activity and harmoniously
adjusted his family affairs in mas
terful way. He had sold his old home
at Taunton, had given a capitalist an
option on his plant, with the agree
ment that he would remain in charge
for a year until his affairs were
smoothly grooved under the new re-
gime Then he had gone to his spin
ster sister Emily and asked for her
counsel and cooperation.
cts the girls / want to talk to you
about, Emily he said. with the old
home gone they will have to come and
stay with you till we decide on a new
one"
II hope it will be permanently,
Waldo" responded Miss Martin, sin
cerely. 81 don't know which I love
the most-Edna or Grace-but it will
be the happiest day of my life when
they come under my roof"
"And charge, Emily" added her
brother "You are a wise, worthy
woman, and / feel it will be a bless
ing if you will guide and guard them:
They will graduate next month. Spare
no expense in giving them all the
fashion and society advantages due to
the daughters of a rich man. / don't
want to lose them for a long time yet,
but sooner or later both will get mar
ried. In regard to this feature I wish
you to bear in mind their different
characteristics study Them analyze
them, and select for them only such
acquaintance and friends as are tenn
peramentally in accord with the same"
ST think I comprehend you, brother"
said Miss Martin thoughtfully. She
was well fitted to undertake the
charge committed to her care.
AS their father had told Miss Mar
tin the girls were temperamental, each
in her own peculiar way. Edna was
a fitting, flashing beam of sunshine,
merry to the point of innocent folly,
skimming the realities of life care
less and free, her ringing laugh a
constant accompaniment of her vOla-
tile presence.
Grace on the contrary was serious,
sedate, emotionally impossible to the
point of emphasis. Tears came read
lily with her. The sorrows and troubles
of others affected her as though they
were direct relations.
Hyacinth Lodge became an enlivened
center Of enjoyment for the sisters,
and within a month after their new in
stallatOn was the center of new CO.
tere Of friends There was a select
group of young people whom Miss
Martin favored, and the lawn of the
lodge was a pretty sight afternoons
and evenings, with it's pleasing array
of youth and beauty. Mr.. Martin came
to Acton one week end and seemed
to take pleasure in watching the group
at tennis, archery and other engross-
ing enjoyments.
II have noticed two of your young
men friends who seem to divide their
attentions between Edna and Grace"
he said to his sister. "That bright
fellow, Roy Blake, is an exact coun-
terpart of Edna in his light, free
hearted way. There is Temperament
tai blend there that suggests perfect
harmony as to tastes and ideals"
"And what do you think Of his
rather serious opposite?"
"Sidney Morton is for Grace" de-
clared Mr. Martin. ''Do you know,
Emily, think one-half of the trouble
with Grace is that people do not I'M
derstand her. therefore she does not
meet with that attention and sympa-
thy a man like Mr.. Morton is likely
to award. They mate very prettily,
this quartette."
Business kept Mr.. Martin from Wis.
iting Hyacinth Lodge for nearly three
months after that. The warm greet
ing he received from his daughters,
however, something in their manner
and looks indicative of a subtle change
for the better, impressed him. Once
alone with his sister, she made the re-
mark: ''Well, Waldo, you have arrived
just in time to receive opportunities
from Mr. Blake and Mr.. Morton"
"As to what?" questioned her
brother.
''Your sanction or declination of
their engagement to Edna and Grace.
fancy all around they are very much
in earnest. Mr. Morton is certainly
deeply in love with Edna and Mr..
Blake will positively be broken
hearted if you forbid his attentions to
Grace"
'Why!" exclaimed Mr. Martin,
things are all turned around That
won't do at all! You know my ex-
pressed opinion"
"Yes, brother" gently interrupted
Miss Martin, ''but you are all wrong.
Now listen to me and trust in my judy
ment The preferences of the young
men followed the dictates of sincere
love and the result has been strongly
harmonious. As to Edna, Mr.. Nor
toms sensible seriousness seems to
have toned down her natural exuber-
ance to most desirable balance,
x,-b;lo x,oJo+;1o GRO rlyl;nu