Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-12-13
EXTRY SPECIAL.

"That saddest of all sad words, too late. "
"Once for all, Bet, will you do as /
wishp"
"Once for all, Tom, WON'T"
They were very evidently in the thick Of
quarrel. Betty's pretty face was flushed
and mutinous. Her bright angry eyes,
her set, determined mouth, marked her
mood.
Toms anger, on the other hand, was
shown by an emphasized quietness Of man.
ner. His face was white, the lips under
his fair mustache had drawn themselves
into thin straight line. He stood very
still-his tall, soldierly figure "at atten-
tion.
The room was full of the scent Of spring
flowers Betty wore great bunch Of pur
pie violet at her waistband. There were
primroses in the vases, and on the book
case in the corner daffooils shone golden
in the sunlight. The window was open
and faint little spring breeze stole in
and ruffled the papers on the table and
played softly in Betty's curly hair
Don't be absurd, Bet" Toms voice
was still quite quiet, but distinctly stern.
"Why can't you be reasonable and do what
/ ask? You might surely understand that
would not ask you to do thing unless
felt sure it was best. !"
And don't see why you should know
what is best any better than 1 do. sup
pose you think that you must rule me be-
cause you are a man, and that am just
wv tc do ic1,
because l am woman. am not the kind
of woman anyhow who will make Girl
selda sort of wife, and shan't give into
you now"
Betty S tone was more and more angry.
Tom s lips frightened.
'For heavens sake, Betty, don't let us
begin that COMPOUNDED man and woman
nonsense. You are simply catching up the
silly caokle of the day. There is no ques-
ton between us of your being a Griselda
Or of my ruling you because | am man.
1t is not q matter of sex at all, but of two
human beings who having elected to
live their lives together, must learn to give
and take. Come, dear, try to see it from
my point of view"
81 am afraid l can't Why shouldn't
| you see it from miner" Betty's tone was
sarcastic. II am not your wife yet. When
I am, we can discuss the question of Civ
| ing and taking. At present don't think
| have much taking. 1t is all giving on
| my side"
The girl was losing her head in petu-
| lent, unreasoning fit of passion, and she
knew it. But, being in a temper, she would
not let reason sway her at all. She turned
away from her tall young lover and drum
med upon the window pane.
"Betty, darling, don't let us quarrel
| over this. am going away so soon. Won't
you do this one thing ask your
| "No, won't. I've told you won't"
II wouldn press it, but that know l
am right Bob Mayne is not the sort of
man you should be friendly with, and
| ask you as a favor to me not to let him
hang about you as he does"
| A pleading note came into Toms voice.
But Betty only drummed more impetu-
| ously on the window, then flashed round
on him angrily.
"You think you're right. You always
think you are right. happen to know
Mr.. Wayne extremely well, and he is very
| pleasant and charming, and l certainly
shall not give him up-just because am
| engaged to you. suppose the fact of the
matter is you are jealous; hence the lofty
tone you are adopting"
Betty was growing venomous
A steely look came into Toms eyes
His voice trembled little but he tried to
speak patiently.
Don't you think it is rather undigni-
| fed to wrangle like this, dear? / am aw
fully sorry to have vexed you. Of course
,,nA TO- 81, 1f
but he is not fit to be about you, and |
want you not to encourage him to be
friendly. Betty, dear, won't you do what
l wishs"
mo, will not, and If you are not salts
| fed with me as | am, if you want % wife
| who will choose her friends to your order
and who will agree with you in everything
| you had better give me up.
The mans patience was giving way. He
retorted sharply
You are behaving like a spoiled child.
OF course don't want you to agree with
me in everything. am not an utter fool.
But in this matter of your friendship
Mayne am determined.
'Oh, are your So am l. The days have
gone by when women were chattels, to
obey man In whatever he ordered. l
have quite as strong will as You have,
Tom"
Think it over, dear, his voice softened
again Remember sail in three days. y
II don't care If you sail tomorrow.
am sure don't care in the very least If
never see you again. You worry me SO. +"
Toms lips grew white.
Dc you mean that, BettyP" he asked a
| little hoarsely.