The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-10-06
A BROKEN ENGAGEMENT.
How It Was Eventually Mended
by q Fall.

and yet they had been engaged for q
year. They had known each other
long before the engagement, too, but,
| although man seldom quite under
stands 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 at
TOMS many failures in this respect
They were very good friends, how
ever. and thought they loved each
other-had even said so in strict con-
fidence-and. as l 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
was set for the 10th of January.
One night, the dressmakers and mil
liners 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 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; man had
failed him in an important business ap-
pointment, and it was quite possible
that he was trifie 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 fashions
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
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 de-
moustrative man, and petting was out Of
pecially in his unamiable mood, that
the young girl soon to be his wife was
in no condition to meet impatience pa
tiently?
''Thank fortune" he said, graciously,
kissing her as q matter of course, and
dropping into q chair, "this dressmak-
ing row will soon be over I've scarce
ly seen you for month. won't have
a dressmaker On the place after we are
married"
Mr.. Barclay did not mean anything
by this speech; it was simply an ebulli-
ton Of temper, and Elizabeth should
have met it as such; it suited her mood.
however, to retort with:
'Indeed! mean to have a dress
maker in the house all the time"
'I wouldn't If were you" disagree
ably, especially against my wishes
"And l shouldr' she returned. de-
family.
'Well-" then common sense assert
cd itself, and he laughed. ''Do you
know, Beth, we are just ready to GUAR
rel about nothing? Ny 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. She said,
quietly:
Tom, I 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?'
Tom was obstinate. 1t would have
been better not 70 have asked the ques-
ton. 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 you mean that you will not
obey?'' asked he, looking at her Curl
ously.
Just that"
"A man is the head of the family; II
is wifes duty to obey"
so have heard. ] never thought OF
marriage in this light before-a bond
age. Il seems 10 me that womans
freedom is something no. 20 ee given
up lightly / have never been dictated
10 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
passion. ''if you laid command upon
me after our marriage / really believe L
should hate your'
/. crossed Toms mind that IL might
be as well for a man 70 curb his temper
until after the wedding day. he rose,
walked across the room, pushed as.oe
the heavy curtain and locked out ! n-
prospect was not pleasing. the sss7 -as
black and the driving sseet rs5tssf