Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-07-10
MONICA'S CRISIS.

MUNlCA y ChlOlO.
He had been coming to the house now
for months, and the smiling nod with
which she greeted him as he passed the
drawing room window would have been
justified if only mere friendly acquaint
anceship had existed.
But people said there was something
more than that, at least the few people
who concerned themselves about these
two atoms in the whirling world. Her
sister Helen, with whom she lived, fam
cied there was enough between them to
call for womanly condolences, and Mon
ica's brother law guessed enough to
make him chaff the girl numerically at
times.
''He is good match, Monica" Mrs.
Leyton would say; ''you might do much
worse. -
"And you might do much BETTER" he
proceeded, seeing the girl S color change;
"he is old enough to be your-uncle,
and his personality is not imposing
Also he has one or two faults which you,
as wife, might not judge quite SO le-
niently as I do, who am only man
and friend"
81 do not expect perfection in my
husband" Monica Newman said; ''the
days when I thought all men were like
Arthur, 'blameless king and stainless
knight, have long since vanished. At
eight and twenty a woman has few illu-
sions.
'And few years left wherein to make
nice distinctions Gather your roses
while you may. The moral being that
you will accept Mr.. William Hartley
whenever he chooses to ask you.
81 did not say so, Monica put in
somewhat fiercely; "you seem very anx
ious to get rid Of me"
1t was a woman's s thrust with weap
on of which she often made ungener-
GUS use, and it had the usual effect of
silencing her sisters husband. Mr.. Ley
ton was as fond Of the girl as she was
of him, and, not being rich man, he
had made many sacrifices and submit
ted to many petty economies in order
that Helen might take her in. That was
probably the reason why they quarreled
so frequently.
''Mr. Hartley is coming this evening,
is he not?" Helen asked when her hus-
band had caught his city bound train.
81 believe So
Mrs. Leyton was in a receptive mood
that morning, which was unfortunate,
since her sister seemed far from COM
municative. With little sigh Of resig-
nation Helen lifted her work and stitched
away industriously, glancing now and
then at the dreaming eyes opposite.
There was look in those eyes often
that moved the happy young matron to
the verge of tears.
1t was nearly an hour later when
Monica raised her head
"Helenl'
"Well, dear?"
"Do you think Mr.. Hartley wants to
marry me?"
"Why, of course" Helen said, look
ing rather surprised; s'his behavior has
pointed to that ending for the last six
months. But what a question, Monica.
Surely you are the one who ought to
know best"
'They say girl can always tell"
Monica said. 81 must not be like other
girls then, for never can.
"It is very strange" her sister re-
turned. 81 do not see how woman
with any intuition can remain in doubt
for a moment The man tells his story
in a thousand ways unconsciously-by
looks, by actions, by half spoken phrases,
in his manner -
"UnconsciouslyP Monica interrupt
ed. "How are you to tell when all this
arises from the awkward unconscious
ness of an honest love that means mar
riage and when from the studied con-
sciousness Of what a man and the world
dub Irritation? Do men never pretend?"
''I dare say" faltered Mrs. Leyton,
recalling tenderly the sore spot in Mon
ica's history, "but do not think Mr..
Hartley is man like that. ="
"Iwas not thinking of Mr.. Hartley"
f. the girl said. 81 was thinking of some
one else who spoke sweet words and
looked out of dark eyes into mine once,
| whom loved and who rode away. Do
| you remember Captain Montague, Hell
| en-? He stood 6 feet 2 in his stockings,
and was the best built man in the regi-
| ment. LIDO not think his greatest friend
would call Mr.. Hartley we'll built, and
bibulous nose, shiny forehead and bald
crown do not atone entirely for little
defects in physique Harry is married
now; saw his wife's name in the
births in The Morning Post yesterday,
and Mr.. Hartley is single and wants to
marry me, you say Dear me, what a
happy woman shall bel"
Don't be cynical, child" Mrs. Ley
ton said, laying kindly hand upon her
sisters arm. You have been growing
strangely bitter aud gloomy of late
days, and that is bad phase of mind
| for woman. P"
| Yes, Monica assented, when I am
| happily married to Mr.. Hartley"
| "You shall not marry Mr. Hartley
unless you love him, said Helen quick
| ly.
| II will; l she'll marry him when he
rs me- 1t is no question of love be-
tween us; the little blind god and
parted company five years ago. Besides
it is really time for me to commence
earning my own living, and Mr.. Hartley
needs housekeeper. 1t is fair ex-
change -
"But, Monica, this is monstrous
You, young, clever, fine looking wom-
an, to marry man under such circum-
stances! It is degrading, it is unwom-
anly, it is horribleP'
SIT is essentially womanly. Why do
women marry the wrong men every
day, binding themselves fast with open
deliberateness? Because the world is
peopled by just such women as l am
women craving, starving, dying for the
| love of husband and little children, to
whom the wrong men offer themselves
and the right men never come. And
youth is short and life is long, and one
must take what one can. would not
marry Nj. Hartley il there Was another