The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-01
A HOUSE FOR TWO.


formally engaged, for, as told Tip, I had
always heard that if a man has a pleasant
home of his own he is much less apt to fall
back on the clubs and bachelor dissipa-
tions. Tip quite agreed with me and add
ed that he had always heard that a young
married woman needed home, she was
apt to fall into frivolous, idle ways If
boarding, and nine times out of ten would
get into mischief.
This made me angry. "Do you mean,
Upton Marchmont that p I began,
but he fastened to say he thought would
be the tenth woman and could make a
paradise in boarding house or anywhere
else and produced a book of plans, in
which we were absorbed the rest of the
evening. Unfortunately our tastes were
SO diSsimilar that the plans which Tip adj
mired 1 thought horrid, and vice versa.
You have no idea how that book, Twenty
Beautiful Designs of a Home" affected
us. I assure you if we had not been too
well bred honestly believe we would have
come to blows over the plans for the house
we expected to pass a happy, blissfuI fu-
ture in together. As we each expected to
put an equal amount in the building,
neither felt the right to say positively that
it must be this style or that.
Finally, finding our engagement in
danger of being broken of, we agreed up
on leaving the whole matter to an expert
enced architect, each promising to be sat
isfed with the result, and I did not go
near the place until it was finished, pre-
ferring to see it in completed state. The
wedding was set for the 1st of December,
the arrangement being that we would re-
turn from our trip in time to give a royal
housewarming. The day the keys were
turned over to Tip he came for me, and
we went to look at the place, cooling like
two turtledoves on the way, convinced
that we were the happiest people in the
world.
had an idea that Tip would break our
contract enough to give the architect few
private hints of what liked, so 1 was
awfully disappointed to find that he had
not, and that the house bore no semblance
to the dream house I had built. Tip was
in high glee and did not notice my lack of
enthusiasm. I stood it as long as could
before 1 broke out:
81 don't like it one bit, Upton March
mont, and think you're real mean not to
have had it suit me better"
Tips Irish blood was up in a minute.
81 think you are aware" he said stifay,
''that we left it, by mutual consent, alto
gether to the architects taste.''
'He seems to have followed some other
PERSONS taste pretty Closely said, with
an insinuating toss of my head. hope I
may never see Tip as angry again as he
was then. He didn't swear, but looked as
though he was dying to, as he retorted
hotly:
81 suppose you mean to say that p
But right there I stopped him by saying,
Distinctly understand that I insinuate
nothing, but since this horrid, ugly, taste
less old house pleases you I wish you Joy
of living in it. 1, for one, never expect to
darken it's doors again.
What do you mean, Madge?' he asked
sternly. aren't you going to keep your
promise and marry ne?''
mot if you expect me to live in this
house, I answered def1antly.
Tip grew defiant, too, and said: "Madge,
don't be absurd. We certainly will live
here.''
had not thought he could be so cruel,
but expected him to make all sorts of con-
cessions which L would accept, kindly re-
ferring afterward to my magnanimity, so
1 answered that certainly would not and
told him I considered our engagement Mt
an end. Tip stood if he had been struck
for a moment before he said, in a changed
voice: What is to be done about the
house? You forget it is half yours
cit is nothing to me what is done with
it," answered, grandly Indifferent to the
fact that two-t thirds of my patrimony was
invested in it. Then walked out, leav
ing Tip in full possession. Once safely
outside, I dropped my veil to hide the tears
that would fall, while sobbed out: "Oh,
why was Tip so unkind, and why was
so hateful? The house might have been
altered after bit to please me, but now
it is too Late
At the end of three miserable days the
note had been hoping for came, but it
only said:
Miss Pardey:
DEAR MADAM-Ihave arranged with Niece e
Bros. to put the house 333 street on their
sale list They hope to make a speedy sale, in
the event of which your share of the amount
will be placed to your credit at the National.
Respectfully, Upton MARCHMOET.
told myself bitterly that a man who
could write such letter to the girl he had
sworn to love always was heartless mon
ster, and the girl was we'll rid of him. For
two days afterward I cried steadily, but
toward the end of the next day went out
behind a heavy veil to get some fresh air.
Wandering aimlessly about, my feet I'M
consciously strayed in the direction of that
miserable house, when a sudden yearning
to go in 1t, once more to dream for q little
time of the joys had hoped would be
mine under its rooftree, impelled me to
run up the steps and try the door. 1t had
been left unlocked, by the careless agents
no doubt, and I felt indignant at their
lack of care.
b. AS passed through room after room I
began TO think could tolerate, nay, even
love the place. But at the door of the lit
tie suit of rooms which were designed for
our private apartments I hesitated mo-
ment, then opened it softly for one hasty
glance around. A cry escaped my lips, for
in the dim light 1 saw the figure of man
in the window sent, his head resting on
his hands in detected way, his frame
shaking as if with dry sobs. At my cry he
raised his head and started to his feet, and
then 1 saw that it was Tip, and before I
could beat retreat he had rushed at me,
crying, ''Madge, my own darlingI' and
had folded me in his arms. With my head
resting on his dear breast, with his arms
holding me as if they would never let me
go again, L could only say, "Tip, dear,
dear Tip" and burst into flood of happy
tears that washed all the bitterness of our