The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-24

eAglole young man 70 SnteW, WhatSveT that is in reality, than to not have him marry at all.
 This was the state of affairs in Novem- Der of the year named. It was always arranged so that Claude was Carries escort at all the swell parties and gathegiags-snd there were not few of these, all planned and arranged, with a view to bring the "matched pair" to- gether. Society judges people like jockey does horses" mates" and "matches them.
 It was at a gathering at Colonel Langley's on Thanksgiving evening, and there was Hull in the chatting and music after the evening had been we'll worn away. Carrie and her friend and old schoolmate, Ella Ward, were standing behind the curtains of the bay window, talking.
 "Carrie, believe you are as indiffer- ent as stone. Why, could love Claude myselt-and if he loved me halt as we'll as he does you, should not let him go a week longer without having an under standing"
 Ella, you should not talk so. Why should l try to love MT. Montgomery3 He has never intimated to me that he has any more than friends regard for me. Besides, if he is in love with me, as you say, and which l do not admit, it is not my place to fall in love with him on that account. Many men have loved wo- men without being loved in return"
 That is all very we'll but you, Carrie, know that you love Claude Montgomery, and that he feels like life would be blank to him without you. Hush, now |; not a word. am going to speak my mind to you"
 But Ella, am sure you have no right to speak to even me in such man. ner. It seems to me as if all the town was trying to force Mir. Montgomery and me to marry"
 "Yes; and it seems to me as if you were going to let Claude go away with out telling him that you love him, and thus make him miserable and break your own heart; for, let me tell you, Carrie, if he once goes away, he will never re- turn.n
 In spite of Carries pretensions that she did not care for Claude, her white face and trembling hands at mention of the possibility of his going away told her friend that she was not indifferent to him.
 Carrie, why is it women will not be true to themselves"
 T do not understand you, Ella. Since you will have me to speak about thing which it seems every one in the town is talking about, must tell you have no grounds to suppose Mir. Montgomery cares anything for me in the way you mean. am sure he has never hinted such thing-and you would not have me mention it, even if were ever so much in love with him, would you2"
 "Weli. that depends. But you say that you have ne grounds for believing he cares for you! Why those longing looks he gives you9 Why is it that he never goes with more than two or three girls in the town except you-and those two or three must always be your most intimate friends3 Why is it that he is always SO happy when you are near, and so quiet and reserved when he is where you are not one of gathering~
 "M fois! /t ne sais qHoi. Pour passe, le Eem6s ?"
 "Carrie Carothers, you know that Claude Montgomery is not simply pass ing time away with you. Your affected French manner cannot deceive any one. You love him, and know that he loves you. Now, my dear friend, let me talk with you as only your Ella can. There is such difference in your fife and that of Claude that he will never tell you he loves you. He will go away very soon"
 Ella, you say he is going away; do you know this9 Why do you keep say ing that ?" interrupted Carrie, quickly.
 "l heard him say SO the other day. He as good as told me that he almos. worshiped you, and that you were be- yond his reach, and all such stuff as that. tell you, he is worth a thousand com. mon men-and you are the only woman in the world he ought to marry, and, if you are left to yourself, he will go away, and you will never see him again. Now, you have got to get over that foolish sen- timens, which has not one particle of reason in it. that makes 1t unfeminine for woman to have any say-so in matters that relate to e6airs ds cesv, ssa eAsye. It you were as harum scarum, and as