Middletown transcript., 1891-03-26
A BROKEN ENGAGEMENT.

"A DhUkHN HNuhuHW HNAi
Tom Barclay and Elizabeth
Murray never understood each Other
very we'll, and yet they had been en-
gagged for year. They had known
each other long before the engage
ment, too, but, although a mar
seldom quite understands a woman,
Tom was even more dense in this re-
spect than most men, and Elizabeth
more difficult than most women Tor
any man to comprehend, unconscious
Of the fact, wondered at Toms many
failures in this direction.
They were very good friends, how
ever, and thought they loved each
other-had even said SO in strict con-.
fdence-and, as / said, were engaged
to be married. In fact, Miss
Murray was already at the mercy OF
dressmakers and milliners, for it was
December-late December-and the
wedding was set for tie 10th OF
January.
One night, the dressmakers and
milliners having kindly waived their
claims for few hours, Mr.. Barclay
called to see his prospective bride.
He was not in the best possible
humor an ugly east wind drove the
sleet ir to his face as he walked the
few blocks from the cable cars to Miss
Murray's home, for Tom thought too
much of bis horses to take them out
on such night; a man had failed
him in an important business appoint
ment, and it is quite possible that he
was trife bilious at all events, he
was about az cross as he ever allowed
himself to become.
Now it happened that Elizabeth
was nearly worn out with the turmoil
incident to the preparations for a
fashionable wedding. She was ner.
r,,tfs ard irritable probably the east
wiud affected her also. She needed
some one to smooth her hair, talk
tender, comforting words-in short,
pet her until she was rested; for the
woman never yet lived who did not
like occasional petting.
Now, Thomas Barclay was not a
demopstrativeman, and petting was
something out Of his line. How was
he 10 know, especially in his unami-
able mood, that the young girl soon
to be his wife was in no condition to
meet impatience patiently.
Thank fortune" he said gracious
ly, kissing her as matter of course,
and dropping into chair, this dress
making row will soon be over. I've
scarcely seen you for month: |
won't have dressmaker ON the place
after we are married"
Mr.. Barclay did not mean anything
by his speech /; it was simply an ebul-
lition OF temper, and Elizabeth should
have met it as such it suited her
mood, however, to retort with
!" Indeed l mean to have a dress.
maker in the house all the time.'
"I wouldn't if we're you,' dis
agreeably, especially against my
wishes" t.s,sEs G,
"And | should !" she returned def
antly.
well" then common sense
asserted itself, and he laughed. "Dc
you know, Beth, we are just ready to
quarrel about nothing !? Ny wife will
probably do as she pleases."
Miss Murray did not smile. She
was morbidly sensitive, and an ugly
thought had lodged in her brain. She
said quietly:
" Tom, don't like that remark of
yours at all. l wonder if it is possible
that after our marriage you would at
tempt to coerce me in the least ?"
Tom was obstinate. 1t would have
been better not to. have asked the
question. He said /:
"A women promises to obey when
she marries."
mot always the word is frequent
ly left out Of the marriage service. Ii
would be better left out Cf ours"
do you me an that you will moi
obey ?" asked he, looking at her curl
ously.
"Just that"
CA man is the head of the family
it is wife's duty to obey"
$50 I have heard. Inever though
of marriage in this light before
bondage. 1t seems to me that a
woman's s freedom is something not tt
be given up lightly. | have nevel
been dictated to since I left school
and do not believe I should take i
kindly. Tom, / don't believe wan
to marry you, or anybody; why
with sudden flash Of passion, j
you laid command upon me aftel
our marriage really believe I shoult
hate your"
1t crossed Toms mind that j
might be as well for a man to curl
his temper until after the wedding day
He rose, walked across the room
pushed aside the heavy curtain ant
looked out. The prospect was no
pleasing, the sky was black, and tn
driving sleet pelted against the pane
He came back to where Miss Murra,
sat looking into the fire and apparent
ly lost in thought.
" Elizabeth, thought you love'
me
Did you? l thought SO, too
though l have been told often enough
that didn't"
Who told you SO %
Mamma for one. Aunt Glare fol
another. You see, mamma marie,
papa for love when be was a poo
man, and Aunt Clare's husband die
before the honeymoon was over. Sh
mourns him yet. They always said
didn't know the first princinles of Inv,