The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-22
BY JEROME X. JEROME.
ICopyrioht, 1892, by the Aunor.i
CHAPTER III.

woman; that woman shall give herself to
man for other coin than common sense
Common sense is not legal tender IN the
marriage mart. Men and women who en-
ter therein with only common sonse in their
purse haveno right 20 complain If, on reach
ing home, they find they have concluded
an unsatisfactory bargain.
John Ingerfield. when he asked Anne
Singleton TO be his wife, felt no more love
for her than he felt for any OF the
other sumptuous household appoint
ments he was purchasing about the
same time. and made no pretense OF
doing SO. Nor. had he done 80. would she
have believed him; for Anne Singleton has
learned much in her twenty-five summers
and winters, and knows that love is only
meteor in Iife's sky, and that the true load
star of this world IS gold. Anne Singleton
has had her romance and buried 1t deep
down In her deep nature. and oyer its grave.
TO keep it's ghost from rising. has piled the
stones OF indifference and contempt as
many a woman has done before and since
Once upon time Anne Singleton atdresm-
ing out story. 1t was story old as the
hills-older than some of them-but TO her.
then, 1t was quite new and very wonderful.
1t contained all the usual stock material
common to such stories: the lad and the lass.
the plighted trotb, the richer suitors, the
angry parents. the love that was worth
Drawing all the world for. One day into
this dream there fell from the land OF the
waking letter-a poor. pitiful letter.
''You know / love you and only you" 1t
ran; my heart will always be yours till l
die. But my father threatens to stop my
allowance. and. as you know. have moth
ing of my own. except debts. Some would
call her handsome. but how can 1 think OF
her beside you! Oh. why was money ever
let to come into the world to curse usa"
with many other puzzling questions OF a
like character and much severe condemna-
ton of fate. and heaven. and other parties
generally. and much self commiseration.
Anne Singleton took long TO read the let
Ger. When she had finished il, and had
read IL through again. she rose and. crush
ing it in her hand. flung 1t N the hre with
q laugh, and, as the flame burnt mp ana
died away. felt that her life had died with
81. not knowing that bruised hearts can
heal.
SO when John Ingerfield comes wooIng
and speaks to her no word of love. but only
",
genuine voice that abe can trust Love OF
the lesser side of life is still left TO her. 1t
will be pleasant to be the wealthy mistress
OF fine house, TO give great receptions 10
display and luxury. These things are of
fered TO her on the very terms she would
have suggested herself. Accompanied by
love she would have refused them. know
ing she could give none In return.
But @ woman finds it one thing not TO de-
sire affection. and another thing not TO
possess 1t Day by day the atmosphere of
the fine house In bloomsbury grows cold
and colder about her heart. Guests warm
1t at times for & few hours. then depart,
leaving it chilller than before.
For her husband she attempts 90 feel In
difference. But living creatures joined to-
gether cannot feel indifference for each
other. Even two dogs In leash are COM
PEELED to think of one another. man and
wife must love or hate, like or dislike, &C.
cording as the bond connecting them Is
drawn tight or allowed to hang slack. BY
mutual desire their chains of wedlOck have
been fastened loosely respect for Sc
curity Will permit, with the happy conse-
quence that her aversion TO him does not
obtrude itself beyond the limits of polite
ness.
Her part of the contract abe faithfully
fulfiIs. for the Singletons also have their
code of honor. Her beauty, her tact. her
charm. her Infiuneuce. are devoted to his
eervice-to the advancement OF his posi-
Doors that would otherwise remain closed
she opens to him. Society that would
otherwise pass by with q sheer sit around
his table. His wishes and pleasures are
hers. In oil things she yields him wlfely
duty, seeks to render herself agreeable to
him, suffers In silence his occasional
caresses. Whatever was implied In the
bargain. that she will perform to .he letter.
He, on his side. likewise performs his part
with business-like conscientiousness-nay
seeing that the pleasing of her brings no
personal qualification to hlmself-not with
out generosity. He 10 ever thoughtful OF
and deferential to her. awarding her at all
times an unvarying courteousness that 10
none the less sincere for being studied. Her
every expressed want Is gratifed. her every
known distaste respected. Conscious OF
his presence being an oppression To her, he
Is even careful not to intrude himself upon
her oftener than Is necessary.
At times he asks himself somewhat per-
tinently what he has gained By the mar
xIage-wonders whether this social race
was quite the most interesting game he
could have elected TO occupy his leisure
wonders whether. after all, ne would not
have been happier o.er his countin g-house
than In these sumptuous, glittering rooms.
where he always seems and feels himself
10 be an unlnvited guest.
The only feeling that closer intimacy
has created In him for his wife is that of In
dulgent contempt. AS there Is no equality
between man and woman so there can be
no respect. enc Is u OlUer6QL DelnK. lie
must either look up TO her "a superiori to
himself. or down upon her as inferior.
When man does the former he is more or
less in love. and love TO John lngerield Is
an unknown emotion. Her beauty, her
charm. her social sactl even while he makes
use of them for his own purposes he de-
spIses as the weapons of q weak nature.
So. in their big. cold mansion. John lDger-
Held and Anne. his wife. sit far apart.
strangers 20 one another, neither desiring
90 know tho other nearer.
About his business he never speaks to
her. and she never questions him. TO CON-
pensate for the slight shrinkage of time he
Is able 70 devote TO II he becomes more
strict and exaoting: grows harsher mas
ter TO his people. "a sterner cred tor d greed
Ter dealer, squeezing the uttermost ont of
everyone, feverish to grow richer SO that
he may spend more upon the game thai day
by day he finds more tiresome and uninter-
esting.
And the piled M casks upon his wharves
increase and multiply; and on the dirty
river his ships and barges lie In ever
lengthening lines; and round his greasy
cauldrons sweating. wifch-like creatures
swarm in ever-denser numbers, stirring
oil and tallow into gold.
Until one summer. from its nest in the
far East. there 1utters westward foul
thing. lowering over Limehouse suburb,
seeing IL crowded. and unclean. liking its
1GtiG smell. II settles down upon 1t.
1yphus Is the creatures name At first
1t turks there unnotlced, fattening upon
the rich. rank food 1t finds around it. until
grown too big TO longer hide, il boldly
shows its hideous head. and the white face
OF Terror runs swiftly through alley aud
Attract CRYING "a runa foreeo ifaa1f tura