The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-10-14
A BROKEN ENGAGEMENT.


A BROKEN ENGAGEMENT
How It Was Eventually Mendet
by Fall.
Tom Barclay and Elizabeth Murra,
never understood each other very well
and yet they had been engaged for
year. They had known each othel
rong before the engagement. too, but
although man seldom quite under
stands a woman, Tom was even more
dense in this respect than most men
and Elizabeth, more difficult than most
women for any man to comprehend
unconscious of the fact, wondered a,
TOMS many failures in this respect.
They were very good friends, how
sver. and thought they loved each
sther-had even said SO in strict con.
tdence-and, as said, were engaged
to be married. In fact, Miss Murray
was already at the mercy of dress
makers and milliners, for it was Decem-
ber-late December-and the wedding
~as set for the 10th Of January.
One night, the dressmakers and mil
liners having kindly waived their claims
fov 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 into his face as he
walked the few blocks from the cable
cars to Miss Murray's home, for Tom
thought too much of his horses to take
them out on such a night; a man had
failed him in an important business ap-
pointment, and it was quite possible
that he was a trifle bilious; at all
events, he was about as cross as he ever
allowed himself to become.
Now it happened that Elizabeth was
nearly worn out with the turmoil Incl
dent to the preparations for fashiona-
BILE wedding. She was nervous and ir-
ritable; probably the east wind affected
her Also She needed some one to smooth
her hair, talk tender, comforting words
lin 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 de-
moustrative man, and petting was out of
his line. How was he to know, es-
pecially in his unamiable mood, that
the young girl soon to be his wife was
in no condition to meet impaticnce pa
tiently?
''Thank fortune," he said, graciously,
kissing her as u matter of course, and
dropping into chair, this dressmak-
ing row will soon be over. I've scarce
1y seen you for month. won't have
. dressmalser on the place after we are
married"
MIR. Barclay did not mean anything
Wy this speech; it was simply an cbulli-
sion of temper, and Elizabeth should
have met it as such; it suited her mood,
however, to retort with:
Indeed! mean to have dress
maker in the house all the time"
81 wouldn't if were you," disagree
ably, Especially against my wishes"
"And l should!' she returned, de-
family. -ttFt,
"Well-" then common sense assert
ed itself, and he laughed. "Do you
know. Beth, we are just ready to quar-.
rel about nothing? My wife will prob
ably do as she pleases."
Miss Murray did not smile. She was
morbidly sensitive, and an ugly thought
had lodged in her brain. Sha said.
quietly: f.a.....
tom, ] don't like that remark of
yours at all. wonder if it is possible
that after our marriage You would at
tempt to coerce me in the least?-
Ton was obstinate. 1t would have
been better not to have asked the aues-
tion. He said:
"A woman promises to obey when
she marries."
Not always; the word is frequently
left out OF the marriage service. 1t
would be better left out of ours"
''Do yon mean that you will not
obey?" asked he, looking at her Curl
eusly.
"Just that" ttT
"a man is the head of the family; it
II wife's duty to obey" l''t
$50 have heard. Inever thought of
marriage in this light beforc-a bond
age 1t seems TO mo that q woman's
freedom is something not to be given
up lightly. have never been dictated
TO since left school, and do not believe
should take it kindly. Tom, ] don't
believe want to marry you, or any
body; why" with sudden. fash of
III you laid command upon
me after our marriage really believe |
should hate your
II crossed Toms mind that it might |
Dc as well for man to curb his temper
until after the wedding day. He rose,
walked across the room, pushed aside |
'he heavy curtain and looked out. The
prospect was not pleasing the sky was
black and the driving sleet pelted
'gainst the plate glass. lie came back
o where Miss Murray sat looking into
he fire and apparently lost in thought.
'Elizabeth, tn >ught you loved me.
did you? thought SO too. though
have been told often enough tlsst
idu't" Z e . & (. \,