Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-05-16
"a man is the head OF q family it

DO i nave uehTu. ucNeT buouBhb
of marriage in this light before-a
bondage. 1t seems to me that wo-
mans freedom is something not to be
given up lightly. have never been
dictated to since ! left school, and do
not believe should take it kindly.
Tom, I don't believe l want to marry
you, or anybody why" with sudden
flash of passion, "if you laid COM
mand upon me after our marriage !
really believe should hate You"
1t crossed Toms mind that it might
be as well for man to curb his tenn
per until after the wedding day. He
rose, walked across the room, pushed
aside the heavy curtain and looked
out. The prospect was not pleasing !;
the sky was black and the driving sleet
pelted against the plate glass. He
came back to where Miss Murray sat
looking into the fire and apparently
lost in thought.
elizabeth, / thought you loved
me-"
"Did you? l thought 80, too,
though have been told often enough
that didn't"
"Who told you SOP"
"Mamma, for one. Aunt Glare, for
another. You see, mamma married
papa for love when he was poor man,
and Aunt Clare's husband died before
the honeymoon was over. She mourns
him yet. They always said | didn't
know the first principles Of love; per
haps they were right"
Mr.. Barclay was never so thoroughly
asto nished in his twenty-eight years of
life; he asked, rather stifliy:
"Will you kindly state why you en-
gngod yourself to me?"
"Well, Tom, ] always liked you.
We've known each other for years.
Our families are intimate. What more
natural thnn that you, the only son,
and I, the only daughter, should
marry? Besides" with little break
in the clenr voice, "until tonight |
thought you loved me-.
Tom pulled his chair close to Eliz-
abeths and drew her head down to his
shoulder. He ought to have done that
earlier in the evening. Then he said {:
"My dear, what possesses you? You
know love you.
For nm instant the yellow head
rested where he Ind placed it. Then
Miss Murray drew herself away and
rose to her feet.
"No, Tom. 1t is too late to make
me believe TINT. We are not fitted to
make each other happy. | nm quite
certain Of it, Let us break off our en-
gngement
"And Nil on account of that con-
founded speech of mine about II dress
mnkcr!" he exclaimed, savngely.
"Not certainly that. | feel that you
do not love me, and something tells
mo TINT | ought not to bo your wife. j"
Mr. Barclay, man like, loved tho
woman who was slipping away from
him Mt this moment better than over
before, and ho Ind loved her always,
in his way; he had made II mistake in
not showing his affection moro plninly.
"Beth," ho said, "forgive me. |
didn't mean IL. | was II brute. AS my
vito you will be free M mir; you must
know TINT. Think moment; it is
not nn objectionable offence, is it?'
al tell you it il not because OF what
you snid, sho reiterated. at is be-
cause know you do not love me, and
TINT nm not ut all sure thnt | love
you.
M Barclays temper began to rise
again. Ho remarked:
"Ths il II nice statement for man
to hear three weeks before his mar
ringe
"Nluch nicer than it would be three
weeks nItor," she retorted. "The in
vitntions are not out no ono outside
of our families knows that the day was
set. | will take my inery,' she added
with II smile, 'and go to Italy Take
your ring, Tom, and say goodby,"
drawing of the diamond.
Mechanically Tom dropped the cir
clet into his pocket. Suddenly he took
II stop toward her, caught her in his
arms, kissed her once, twice, three
times, with NIL the passion of II man
who loves, then, releasing her, turned
and left the room, while Miss Murray,
white and trembling, sank into her
chair. hid her face and cried bitterly
Much to Eliznbeth's surprise Mr..
Barclay made no attempt to sec or
speak to her again. She explained
where it was necessary:
"Mr. Barclay and | have changed
our minds.
A month later she and Aunt Clare
were outward bound with Italy for
their gonl, The balance of thywinter
and the following spring and summer
were spent roaming from place to
plnce. Then ono Of those financial
cyclones called II panic swept over the
United States, and Miss Murray and
her aunt were called home,
Thomas Barclay, though u young
man, was lnrge dealer i'll coffee, tons
and spices. His was one of dozen
firms that failed that autumn. Dis
honest and unfortunate creditors had
cost him 800, 900. But that cut no
figure in settling up his own affairs.
! na rlrarnl his stnhlpS sold pyary innh