The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-10-12
A BROKEN ENGAGEMENT.
How It Was Eventually Mended
by Fall.


never understood each other very well,
and yet they had been engaged for a
year. They had known each other
long before the engagement, too, but,
although a 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 roth of January.
One night, the drcssmakers and mil
liners having kindly waived their claims
for few hours, Mr.. Barclay called to
sec his prospective bride. He was not
in the pest possible humor; an ugly east
wind drove the sleet into his face as he
walked the few blocks from the cable
cars to Miss Murrays 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 it was quite possible
that he was a trHe 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
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 de-
monstrative 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
tienrly?
'Thank fortune" he said, graciously,
kissing her as matter of course, and
dropping into chair, this dressmah-
ing row will soon be over. I've scarce
ly seen you for a month. | won't have
a dressmal1er on the place after we are
married"
MIR. 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! l mean to have dress
maker in the house all the time"
81 wouldn't if were YOU" disagree
ably, especially against my wishes"
And should" she returned, de-
family.
well" then common sense assert
ed itself, and he &ughed. 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 wa.
morbidly sensitive, and an ugly thought
had lodged in her brain. She said
quietly:
Tom, | don't like that remark o.
yours at all | wonder if it is possibl,
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 ques
ton. He said:
"A woman promises to obey wher
she marries."
Not always; the word is frequently
left out of the marriage service. II
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; il
is wife's duty to obey"
80 have heard. lnever thought OF
marriage in this light before-a bond.
age. 1t seems 70 me that a woman's
freedom is something not to be given
up lightly. / have never been dictated
to since left school, and do net believe
! should take it kindly. Tom, don't
believe | want to marry you, or any
body; why" with a sudden flash of
passion, If you laid command upon