much about woman's rights, are in bondage up to their necks. Look at
Laura Stevenson in Orangeville; a fine bright young girl, who makes a
hobby of woman's rights, and yet see the bondage she is in. A fine young
man whom she was supposed to respect very much, lay sick in his cabin
all alone, and with all her talk about her independence and freedom, she
never went to see him because he was alone and there was no woman there.
She being a young woman, thought it would not be proper for her to do
it. Laura Stevenson's independence and liberty consist in having her own
way in a few things. She does not know what freedom is. Her freedom is
all sham, and with no reality in it. Then there is Nora Parks, who is
supposed to be advanced, and talks much on woman's freedom; but watch
her how very particular she is in her conduct with young men who are
good, lest she should excite the jealousy of her husband. Therefore, she
is not free, but in bondage to his foolish, uncalled for jealous
feelings. Talk about women being free, they don't know anything about
freedom, for they are all in bondage of some kind or other."

Mrs. Wheelwright said: "Stella, among the many fine thoughts which
Burnette brings out in the description of the women of Semhee, that is a
great one _which shows woman to be financially independent of man,
previous to marriage and after marriage, too_. Therefore, she can have
no other motive for marrying a man than that of mating herself to a true
companion. When that is done the two act as one light, whose rays reach
out and shine on all around them. Blessed is such a life."

"Mother," said Stella, "I do not fully understand the meaning of the
writing on the bedroom door, which Burnette describes. You remember that
part which reads: 'Sex is an illusion.' I understand too well the
meaning of being in bondage to sex, but that sex is an illusion I do not
see the meaning of, because we know that sex is real and has its use and
purpose."

"I cannot enlighten you, my dear," said her mother. "You will have to
ask Penloe when you return the books."

"Well, mother," said Stella, "I am going to put some of my theories into
practice. I say my theories, but I do not exactly mean that; but I am
going to put some advanced ideas into practice in regard to woman's
freedom. I will now tell you one of them, and another later on.

"Mother," continued Stella, "when a man lives alone and a woman wishes
to go to his house to see him, s