The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1893-11-25
"a BROKEN ENGAGEMENT.
How It Was Eventually Mended
by q Fall.

never unQerStOOQ cacn Otner very well,
and yet they had been engaged for a
year. They had known each other
long before the engagement, too, but,
although q 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 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 mill
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 night; man had
failed him in an important business APP
pointment, and 1t was quite possible
that he was trifle bilious; at all
events, he was about as cross as he ever
allowed himself to become.
Now 1t happened that Elizabeth was
nearly worn out with the turmoil Incl
dent to the preparations for a 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
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 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 impotence pa
tiently?
THANK fortune" he said, graciously,
kissing her as matter of course, and
dropping into chair, "this dressmak-
ing row will soon be over. I've scarce
ly seen you for month. won't have
q dressmaker on the place after we are
married"
MIR. Barclay did not mean anything
by this speech; it was simply an ebulli-
tion 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 shouldr' she returned, de-
family.
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. She said,
quietly:
TON, don't like that remark of
yours ut all. wonder if it is possibles
titdt oAecr ouE marriage you would at
tempt to coerce me in the least?"
Tom was obstinate. 1t would have
been better not to have asked the ques-
ton. He said:
"A woman promises to obey when
she marrieA"
Not always; the word is frequently
left out Of the marriage service It
would be better left out of ours"
do you mean that you will not
lobey?" asked he. looking at her Curl
ously.
Just that"
"A man is the head of the family: IL
As wife's duty to obey"
$50 have heard. lnever thought of
marriage in this light before-a bond
age 1t seems to me that a woman's
freedom is something not to be given
up lightly. l have never been dictated
to since l left school, and do not believe
should taks it kindly. Tom, don't
believe want to marry You, or any
bodyl why" with . sudden fash Of |
passioa, ~ yop laid 3 sommsud upon |