Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-07-27
MONICA'S CRISIS.


 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 tho whirling world. Her sister Helen, with whom she lived, fan cicd there was enough between them to call for womanly condolences, and Mon ica's brotherinlaw guessed enough to make him chaff the girl unmercifully at times.
 He is good match, Monica" Mrs. Leyton would say; 'you might do much worse. "
 And you might do much better, he proceGded, seeing the girls 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. y
 II do not expect perfection ill my husband," Monica Newman said; "the days when thought all men were like Arthur. 'blameless king and stainless knight, have long since vanished. At eight and twenty woman has few illu- siOnS.
 And fow years left wherein to make nice distinctions. Gather your roses while you may The moral being that you will accept Mir, William Hartley whenever he chooses to ask you.
 II did not say so, Monica put in somewhat tierccly; 'yOu seem very anx ious to get rid of mo. :"
 It was woman s thrust with a weap- on of which she often made ungener- ous use and it had the usual effect of silcncing her sister s husband. Mir. 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 economics in order that Helen might take her in. That was l probably the reason why they Quarreled so frequently.
 MT. Hartley is coming this evening. is he nut?" Helen asked when her hus- band had caught his city bound train II believe so.
 
 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 iuduStiously, glancing now and then at the dreaming eyes opposite There Was q look ill those eyes often that moved the happy young matron to the verge of tears.
 It Was nearly an hour later when l Monica raised her head. | "Hclen!"
 1 "Wcll, dolr?"
 Do yru think Mir. Hartley wants to marry mr?'
 "Whv, If course,' Helen said, look ! ing rathc.' surprised; "his behavior has pointed tp !hIt ending for the last six months l:::t what question, Monica. | Surely you ETC the one who ought to l know best,
 "Thcy $; d girl can always tell, " | Monica sail II must not be like other l girls then, for never can.
 1t is very strange" her sister re- turned. 'I do not see how a woman with any intuition can remain in doubt I for a moment. The man tells his story i'll a thousand ways unconsciously-hy looks. hy ao tions, by half spoken phrases, ill his marlcr.
 "Uucon< ciously" Monica interrupt- l cd. How are you to tell when all this arises from the awkward unconscious ness of an honest love that means mar, | riagC and 'Hhen from tho studied con, { sci0uSnrSS Cf what a man and tho world dub Irritation? Do men never pretond?' l II dare say" faltcrcd Mrs Lcytun recalling tondrrlv tho sore spot in Mon ica x history, but 1 do not think Mir Hartley k Il man like that.
 II Was Hot thinking of Mir. Hartley, the girl sail, II was thinking of somC one else whu spoke sweet words anC looked out of dark eyes into mine once l whom 1 loved and who rode away. Do you remember Captain Montague, Hel cn: He stood 6 feet , in his stockings and was the best built man in the regi mcnt. Ido not think his greatest frient I would call Mr Hartley well built, auc bibulOus- nose, shiny forehead and balC crown do not atone entirely for ittlt defects i'll physique. Harry is married now; 1 saw his wife'S name i'll tn, births ill The Morning Post yesterday and Mir Hartley is single and wants t, marry me, you say. Dear me, what happy woman shali bel"
 "Don't be cynical, child" Mrs. Ley ton said, laying kindly hand upon he sisters arm. You have been growing strangely bitter and gloomy of lat days, and that is a bad phase of minC for woman.
 "Yes." Monica assented, "when an happily married to MT. Hartley"
 You shall not marry MT. Hartle, unless you love him, said Helen quick y.
 "I will; I shall marry him when h, asks me It is no question of love b' tween us; the little blind god and parted company five years ago. Beside it is really time for me to commend earning my own living, and MT. Hartle needs q housekoeper. It is fair e, change"
 "But, Monica. this is monstrou You, young clever, fine looking won an, to marry man under such circun stances! It is degrading, it is unwon anly, it is horrible!'
 ''It is essentially womanly. Why women marry the wrong men evel day, binding themselves fast with ope deliberateness? Because the world
 peopled by just such women as ann women craving, starving, dying for u love of husband and little children,
 whom the wrong men offer themselv and the right men never come. Al youth is short and life is long, and ol must take what one can. Iwould Il marry MT. Hartley if there was anoth
 man in all the world who desired m but there is not one, and I am eight al twenty" "
 But surely marriage without lo'
 is the most dreadful lot of all "