The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-20
THE NEW MAN.

1t was warm summers day, and the
mingled scent Of mignonette and roses
came in from the garden through the open
French window. Some fancy needlework
ley on his knees untouched His domestic
duties were done for the day, and Reggie
was alone with his thoughts, which were
very pleasant ones.
Would she come that afternoon?
Would she-ask him-to be her hus-
band?
Was he worthy of her, and fit man to
become the lifelong companion and help
meet of such q woman as Frances Dun.
combe?
He was conscious of his inoapacity to
rise to her intellectual level, to share in
her lofty aims and wide feminine interests.
But she would not forget that he was only
a man. At least he would be able to give
her that loving sympathy and tender de-
votion which are what a wife SO needs in
the midst of her toll as the breadwinner
and in her rough buffetings with the
world, and can man have any nobler as
pirations than to secure, with never ceas-
ing care and solioitude, those domestic
comforts and attractions which make the
real home for the woman he loves?
So Reggie's thoughts we're running
when familiar step was heard upon the
gravel path-a firm stride that he knew SO
well-folloWed by a powerful double
AAOCk dJ OA0 0OOEs ALOIO was a S41SAAs
interval, during which the visitor was
heard to softly whistle the melody of what
Reggie believed to be one of those music
hall airs that were played on the street
organs, and then the servant announced
Miss Duncombe.'
The woman who entered was tall and
heavily built with dark and short cut hair
and resolute features. She was far from
handsome, but the deep set, penetrating
ich forohaad onT1ilino
firm mouth were strongly feminine and
showed that will and decision of character
which a gentleman most admires in a
woman. Her plain costume of dark cloth
was tightly fitted to her broad shoulders,
and her divided skirt was we'll raised from
the tops of her thickly soled laced boots.
AS Frances Duncombe bent over Mr..
Reggie Maxwell and took his little fingers
in her own capacious hands his poor, fut-
tered heart beat fast against the rufI1es OF
his spotless shirt front.
"Beastly hot day, isn't it?'' said Miss
Duncombe. "You appear to be quite
alone"
Eyes; dear papa has gone out to do a
little shopping and make few calls. OF
course mother won't be home from the
city for some hours. She has been work
ing very hard lately, and papa and have
been very anxious about her.
ct thought she looked rather over
worked when met her at the club the
other night
"And do you know, Miss Duncombe,
the dear old lady is getting quite bald?''
''Well, badness is quite a recommended
ton to woman, Mr.. Reggie. 1 was
thinking this morning, with satisfaction.
that my own hair is beginning to get thin
on the top
81 should think it must be very dread
full"
"Of course it would be in your case
with the fair sex, Mr.. Maxwell. Gentle
men are the ornamented sex, you see."
Papa was telling me this morning that
some dreadful society has been started for
the assertion of mems rights or some
thing of the sort
Eyes; some stupid movement got up by
few ugly old gentlemen who have failed
in finding any women to marry them. A
mans work in life is to look after the
home. He is not flt either physically OF
mentally, to battle with the world, as he
was made to do in the dark ages"
THAT is just what papa and 1 were
saying These forward, unsexed men
don't seem to see that if we gentlemen
insist on our rights, whatever they may
be, we shall have to give up our privileges
and forfeit that chivalrous treatment from
| women to which we owe so much.'
every sensible words, my dear Mr..
| Reggie. just what 1 should have expected
from modest and charming creature like
| yourself
81 am afraid you are flatterer, mad
am" said Reggie, bending over his needle
work to hide his bushes.
81 swear 7 am not Mr.. Reggie" Miss
| Duncombe replied, drawing her chair to-
ward him. Ever since I first met you
my admiration for you has increased.
| Never, in any young gentleman, have I
seen so many virtues, so many accomplish
ments and such an admirable DISPOSE
tom
''Madam!"
at insist upon going on, Mr.. Reggie.
Cannot you guess what has brought me
here today?'
Reggie shook his dropping head, and
Miss Dunco1nbe caught his hand in hers,
and, falling upon one knee beside the sofa,
| went on:
"Mr. Maxwell-Reggie-I love you'll
Will you be my husband9'
Reggie did not speak. His heart was
too full for words.
81 know 7 am rather rough sort of a
fellow, but will devote my life to making
you happy. Only be my husband, little
man, and will do anything in the world
to please you. I'll never attend another
prize fight, I'll give up horse racing, I'll
cut every woman at the club, I'll even
throw away my pipes and smoke nothing
but cigars. Speak, Reggiel Say you will
be miner'
She paused The silence was only
broken by the quick breathing Of Reggie
and the twittering of the sparrows in the
garden.
''Say yes, darling ReggieI''
1t was only little sibilant sound that
reached her ears, but she knew the word
had been spoken. Miss Duncombe folded
her dear one in her arms and imprinted q
kiss on his smooth brow.
"And now I shall get your mothers
consent in the city tomorrow. Oh, Reg
gio, my angel, you have made me SO hap