The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-02-04
Practical
By SMITH STEVENS
g Associated Newspapers.
WNU Service.

cal. That is to say, it had taken
those teeming years to make her
realize to an uncanny extent, it
seemed to her pretty city aunt, Ag-
mes Raymond, that life was ex-
tremely serious and mainly unpleas-
ant. This same aunt was deter
mined that now her exacting grand
parents had died she should learn
to be impractical.
The two were sitting one summer
evening on the old farm porch. The
air was mellow with a surge of rain
drenched geranium and roses and
the scene as peaceful as the heart
of Katherine was not. .
Pm just wondering" began Ag-
mes, IF you've ever believed in fai-
ries. l rather doubt it. Have your"
The words were spoken so
thoughtfully yet carelessly that
Katherine felt a sudden fear for her
charming relatives sanity. 81 Ger
talnly have not" she said sullenly.
Then, perceiving that her reply was
scarcely gracious, she added,
Grandmother forbade fairy books.
We did read some in school,
though"
"You know, dear, to me that's
horrible. You did fairy-tales! You
poor youngster; instead of living
them! And in this paradise, for this
country is lovely. 1t reminds me of
Sicily"
The ranch was situated in Marin
county, California, that home of ex-
quisite wild flowers.
"You couldn't, I suppose, try
just to please me-to believe in
them now? You see, I do believe in
falries-that is, in all lovely spirits
dwelling in flowers and trees and
sunsets and books and theaters-
yes, dear, l know grandmother
thought theaters were wicked, but
they're not! And in music-oh, yes,
there are fairies in music perhaps
most of all. l want you to know and
enjoy all these things, because until
you do you just haven't really lived
at all.
And so Katherine was taken to be
outftted in San Francisco. The girl
inherited all her grandparents saw
lngs. She wasn't poor-"but, oh,
so poor in joyful experience"
thought her aunt.
Katherine was passive. She al
lowed her hair to be bobbed and
conceded it made her look less sol
emn. She submitted to soft and
sllken underwear. She admired the
attractive frocks and hats that now
were hers. But at one thing she
rebelled. She would not be mice"
to the Well-meaning young men her
conscientious aunt provided as play
mates.
Il do not intend to marry, Aunt
Agnes" she declared, watching the
seals ambling over the rocks from
the Cliff house, 81 have a little mon
ely and 1 am quite convinced I
should be happier single"
'You are quite the funniest little
girl I've ever met, said Agnes,
for you talk like book about-oh!
maybe 1860. You are far too quiet
ever to succeed as a bachelor girl;
old maids are extinct; it's just that
you don't like the way Harrys hair
grows and the way Ambrose eats
spaghetti-well, l don't myself"
Katherine had to smile. 81 con-
fess you're right, Aunt" she said.
But | can't imagine how it is you
know"
81 chose husband myself
once" her eyes clouded, for the
adored husband lost his life in the
beginning of the great war, "but
Katherine, you really do rather like
jim jackson, now don't your"
Eyes do" Katherine was always
frank. "And if you won't think me
crazy I'll tell you why. He hates
the country"
my deary" Her aunt paused.
Then very softly, "Was it as bad as
that?"
1T was horrible. If you really
think that Jim will never, never
want to go away even in the sum-
mer, or if he must, will fish alone.
I'll have him. He is rather dear in
lots OF ways, but l won't ever milk
a COW or listen to a squeaky radio
or hold conversations over the tele-
phone with neighbors listening in
again as long as live. Aunt, Jim
asked me to marry him last night.
/ was afraid. l don't know city life
although l think l love it. I've never
worn a dress that grandmother
didn't choose. Last night is the first
time I've ever been to a theater.
Until Jim told me what it was I
didn't know the meaning of a SYM
phony concert. l knew nothing but
COWS and calves and harvesting
fruit and, oh, you have no idea how
dreadful it was! Grandmother be-
lleved in Notifying the flesh and
made me eat coconut cake. asked
Jim If he liked it and he said he'd
have a luxury tax on coconuts if
he could. And he hates coco. too. /"
She sighed.
This is very, very nice" said Ag-
mes, forbearing to laugh, "Jim's
unite a dear how apd 7 brow, III ::