Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1919-09-17

come? Or do you cut out the kiddies"
Daphne blushed, too. "Well, I should
think that the business woman could
afford babies better than anybody else.
She has to give up the homework, any
way, even when she's a hOusekeeper.
l suppose she could give up her shop
for while. At least she could share
the expense-or her husband could
stand the bills since he escapes the
pain. l tell you, if ever had a daugh-
ter I'd make her learn her own trade
if she never learned anything else. I'd
never raise her to the hideous, indie
cent belief that the world owes her a
living and she's got a right to squeeze
It out of the hearts blood of some
Woodworking man. No, Stree! 1t may
be old-fashioned, but it isn't decent,
| and 1t isn't even romantic. The love
of two free souls, with their own ca
reers and their own expenses, seems
| to me about the best kind of love there
could be. Then both of them can come
home evenings and their home will be
home-a fresh, sweet meeting place."
Clay breathed hard. He was silenced,
but not convinced-beyond being con-
| WINGED that Daphne Kip was still the
one woman in the world for him, in
spite of her cantankerous notions.
| Still, of course, woman had to have
some flaw or she would not be human.
| Daphne's foible was as harmless as
anyone's, perhaps. So he blurted out
II suppose you've given up all
thought of marrying mel"
She answered him with pious ear
nestness: "Tve never given up that
thought, Clay. I've been trying to
make myself worthy of the happiness
1t would mean. l have had the trous-
seau all made, and paid for, a long
while. That's what came to town for
originally-0ur trousseau. But when
I saw how much sacrifice it meant for
my poor old father and what a bundle
Of bills I'd be dumping on my poor
young lover. couldn't see the good
of it. So took my vow that wouldn't
get a trousseau till could earn the
price of it myself. And now I've
earned the price and I've got it. But
I've lost my excuse for wearing it.
"Still, I'd probably have lost you,
anyway, or ruined you if had brought
you my old ideas. Everybody always
says that money is the enemy Of love.
I wonder if it couldn't be made the
friend. 1t would be an interesting ex-
pertinent, anyway"
Daphne, honey, let's try the expert
ment."
She looked at him with heavenly
smile in her eyes, and answered,
Let's"
He moved toward her, but she
lodged behind the counter. She
studied him moment, then reached
below the counter. A bell rang and q
drawer slid out. She took some bills
from 1t, made a memorandum on q
slip Of paper, and put that in the place
Of the bills, closed the drawer, and
leaned across the counter, murmurins
"They say all successful businesses
are begun on borrowed money. So I'll
borrow this from the f1rm-for luck"
She put out her hand. Clay put out
his. She laid three dollars on his palm
and closed his fingers on them.
whats all this?" he asked, all mys.
tilted. She explained:
"a plain gold band costs about SIX
dollars, and that's for my half of the
partnership. Women are wearing their
wedding rings very light nowadays"
II should say sol" Clay groaned, but
with smile.
She bent forward and he bent for
ward and their lips met. She was only
a saleswoman selling a customer part
Of heart for part of heart, but to
Clay the very counter was the golden
bar of heaven, and Daphne the Bless
ed Damozel that leaned on it and
made 1t warm.
THE END.