Sister Carrie

onsideration. Actions such as hers are measured by an arbitrary scale. Society possesses a conventional standard

evolution. It is yet deeper than conformity to things of earth alone. It is more involved than we, as yet, perceive. Answer, first, why the heart thrills; explain wherefore some plaintive n

uet, "how delicio

th mournful misgivings,

interested, confused; endeavouring to evolve the tr

n Place, facing Union Park, on the West Side. That was a little, green-carpeted breathing spot, than which, to-day, there is nothing more beautiful in Chicago. It afforded a vista pleasant to contemplate. The best room looked out upon the l

ières filled with gorgeous, impossible flowers. There was a large pier-glass mirror between the two windows. A large, soft, green, plush-covered couch occup

n, where Drouet had Carrie establish a little portable gas stove for the preparation of small lunches, oysters, Welsh rarebits, and the like, of which he was exceedingly fond; and, lastly, a bath. The whole place was cosey, in that it was lighted by gas and heate

altogether so turned about in all of her earthly relationships that she might well have been a new and different individual. She looked into her glass and saw a prettier Carrie than

le beauty," Drouet was

at him with lar

don't you?" he

t that one should think so, hesitating to believe, though she r

xcused. It was no just and sapient counsellor, in its last analysis. It was only an average little conscience, a thing which represen

ailure!" sa

she que

d they scorn to do what you have done. Look at the good girls; how will they draw away

when the pleasant side was not too apparent, when Drouet was not there. It was somewhat clear in utterance at first, but never wholly convincing. There was alwa

superior order of mind which arrogates to itself all refinement, feel this, but dogs and all men. These feel as much as the poet, though they have not the same power of expression. The sparrow upon the wire, the cat in the doorway, the dray horse tugging his weary load, feel the long, keen breaths of winter. It strikes to the heart of all life, animate and inanimate. If it were not for the artificial fires of merriment, the rush of profit-seeking trade, and pleasure-selling amusements; if the

the secret voice would reassert

he had not the mind to get firm hold upon a definite truth. When she could not find her way out o

spent money upon her, and when he travelled took her with him. There were times when she would be alone for two

d so established themselves, "I've invited my friend Hurs

asked Carri

. He's manager of Fi

hat?" sai

in town. It's a w

wondering what Drouet had told

eling her thought. "He doesn't know

rie as slightly inconsiderate. She could see th

he inquired, thinking of the

ust as soon as I get this li

h required so much attention, adjustment, and what not, that som

ack from my Denver trip

e to her conscience, a pleasant way out. Under the circumsta

y, she would have been worse off than she was. She would have adored him. She would have been utterly wretched in her fear of not gaining his affection, of losing his interest, of being swept away and left witho

attentiveness. Schooled in winning those birds of fine feather among his own sex, the merchants and professionals who visited his resort, he could use even greater tact when endeavouring to prove agreeable to some one who charmed him.

with many who were not quite schooled in the art of love. He failed dismally where the woman was slightly experienced and possessed innate refinement. In the case of Carrie he found a woman who was all of the latter, but no

d Hurstwood, smiling at Carrie, on the evenin

not thoug

t," he obse

play," vent

turned Hurstwood. "You could

His cravat was a shiny combination of silken threads, not loud, not inconspicuous. What he wore did not strike the eye so forcibly as that which Drouet had on, but Carrie could see the elegance of the material. Hurstwood's shoes were of soft, black calf, polished only to a dull shine. Drou

uggest that he knew anything of Carrie's past. He kept away from personalities altogether, and confined himself to those things which did not concern individual

how to play,

ty," he observed to Drouet most affably. "Betw

he was pleased to be there. Drouet felt really closer to him than ever before. It gave him more respect for C

ie's shoulder very deferentially. "What have you?" H

ow you how to trounce your

g to scheme together, I won't stand a gho

She brings me luck. W

ormer took the air of a mere friend. He was simply there to enjoy

d cards, and giving Carrie a chance to take a tri

he hand coming her way. It was as if she

geniality and kindness. He took back the shifty, clever gleam, and replaced it with one of innocence. Carrie could not

thing," he said after a time, slipping his finger into t

aid Drouet, fi

of new ten-cent pieces. "Here we are," he s

bling," smiled C

If you never play for more tha

wood to Carrie gently, "until yo

et s

ts them, he'll tell

laugh

rstwood's voice, the insinuation was so perc

ave?" said Hurs

sday," he

nd running about like that, isn't it

g with me this ti

with me to the the

said Drouet.

ever so much,

counting her winnings, and finally gathered and put them in her extended hand. They spre

and then Drouet with his eyes, "you must

here was his cab waiting, its red la

ship, "when you leave your wife alone, you must let me s

, quite pleased at

kind," obse

od, "I would want your hus

ghly impressed. She had never come in contact with

arrie, as they returned to their cosey

to be," sa