Twenty tales by twenty women: From real life in ChicagoAnonymous
General
Twenty tales by twenty women: From real life in Chicago
Anonymous
Chicago (Ill.) -- Moral conditions; Prostitution -- Illinois -- Chicago
Well, he was here and Florence thought he was lovely. She came in
for a few moments and then excused herself, so we had the time all
to ourselves. I don’t know how I dared to do it, but it seemed as if
something impelled me to, and I said, “Mr. Forsythe, I don’t believe you
are as happy as you say you are. If you were you would not encourage
yourself so much.”
He was silent what seemed to me an interminable length of time and I
thought, “Now, my lady, you have spoiled your chances to do a good work,
by a word inopportunely spoken.” But I was wrong. He came over to me and
sat down beside me on the couch. He took my hand in his and said, “Miss
Montgomery, you are right, but you are the only one who has discerned it,
or at least the only one who has said so.”
Then I told him I was sorry I had been so abrupt, but he assured me that
it was all right and that he was glad I had spoken because now he would
feel free to talk the whole matter over with me.
He said his wife was good and kind, in fact, I don’t know that he said
anything but nice things, now that I stop to think of it.
But, little diary, I think I have discovered the trouble. I don’t believe
she understands him. She doesn’t appreciate the depth of his nature. It
may be no fault of hers; she associates with him daily and feels herself
so much a part of him that she has ceased to analyze him. It is not that
he has ceased to be interesting to her, for she loves him devotedly, but
it is the nature of a man to desire commendation and encouragement. He
doesn’t wish it to be taken for granted that he is doing well, but wishes
to hear words, words.
A deep bond of sympathy exists between us. I understand and he feels that
I understand. Oh, I am sure now that I can do good!
MARCH 1.
Well, little diary, you and I are going to return to Chicago Wednesday,
back to our home and our work. I am not going to send Mr. Forsythe any
word, but will surprise him by appearing in person at Mrs. Carter’s party
Friday night I wonder how he will look and what he will say.
MARCH 7.
The last words I wrote the other night were, “I wonder how he will
look, what he will say.” His face was a study, pleasure and surprise the
dominant emotions. He said only three words as he clasped my hand in his.
“Welcome home, Louise.” Louise! How he drew out the syllables. I never
before realized that my name was musical. I asked him how all the family
were and he said well and happy. Then he said Mrs. Forsythe was there and
he wanted us to meet. She is lovely, and as they came up to me she was
looking at him so fondly and proudly, I could see the devotion in her
eyes. I couldn’t help feeling a sharp twinge of my conscience as I stood
chatting to her, but I should not, for my intentions are the best, and if
she knew all the circumstances she would commend me, I know.
MARCH 16.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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