The Opelousas courier., 1893-11-11

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 the dress
makers and milliners, for it was De
cember-late December-and the we'd
ding was set for the 10th Of January.
One night, the dressmakers and mil
liners having kindly waived their
claims for a 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, foc Tom thought too much of
his horses to take them out on such a
night; a man had failed him in an i'm
p~ortant business appointment, and it
was quite possible that he was q trife
bilious; at oil events. he was about as
cross as he ever allowed himself to be-
come.
Now it happened that Elizabeth was
nearly worn out with the turmoil in
cident to the preparations for a fash.
lonable wedding, She was nervous
and irritable; probably the east wind
affected her also. She needed some
one to smooth her hair, talk tender,
comforting words-in short, net her
until she was rested; for the woman
never yet lived Who did not like occa-
sional petting.
Now, Thomas Barclay was not q
demonstrative man, and pettinq was
out Of his line. How was he to know.
especially in his unamiable mood. that
the young girl soon to be his wife was
in no condition to meet Impotence
patiently.
THANK fortune, he said g%raciously, |
her as q matter of course, and |
dropping into a chair, this dress |
making row will soon be over. I've |
scarcely seen you for q month. I
won't have a dressmaker on the place
dltSI We GE6 ulaITl6u. |
Mr.. Barclay did not mean anything
by this speech it was simply an ebulli-
ton of temper, and Elizabeth should
have met it es such; it suited her
mood, however, to retort with:
Indeed! I mean to have address,
in the house all the time"
u wouldn't if ] we're YOU disa-
sreeably, especially against my
And | should" she returned, de-
well" then common sense as
serted itself. and he laughed. DO
know, Beth, We are just ready to
quarrel about nothing? My wife will
probably do as she pleases."
Miss Murray did not smile. She was
norbidly sensitive, and an ugly thought
nad lodged in her brain. She said,
Tom, / don't like that remark OF
at all. I wonder If it is possible
hat after Jill marriage you would at
empt to coeree me in the least?'
Tom was obstinate. Il would have
'een better not to have asked the ques.
ion. He said
"A woman promises to obey when
he marries.n
mot always; the word is frequently
eft ont of the marriage service. II
7ould be better left out of ours"
'Do you mean that you will not
asked he, looking at her curl.
usly.
''.Fust that
~ ma IS the mead of afamily tits ,
w1fe's duty to obey"
$50 ] hsys heard. / never thought (
{ marriage in this light before '
cndsas, II seems to me that a wo. !.
ran's freedom is something not to be
up lightly. I have never been
to since I left school, and do
OF believe I should take it kindly. ,
| don't believe I want to marry
on. or anybody why" with a sudden q
ash OF passion, '.if you laid a com. 9
and upon me after our marriage j
ally believe ! should hate you" r
Ii crossed Toms mind that It might !
9 as well for a mar to curb his tenn. .
= until after the wedding day, Ht /