The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-12
Extra Special.
On Two Parts.)
PART T

'Once for all. Tom. I won't!'
They were very evidently in the THO
: Of a quarrel Betty's pretty face wa
!, flushed and mutinous. Her bright, angr
f eyes, her set, determined mouth, marke
, her mood.
, Toms anger, on the other hand, wa
shown by an emphasized quietness OF man
ner. His face was white, the lips unde
his fair mustache had drawn themselve
into a thin straight line. He stood yer,
still-h:s tall. soldierly figure-"at atten
ton
The room was full OF, the scent of sprin.
flowers. Betty wore a great bunch of pur
pie vioiets al her waistband There wer'
primroses in the vases, and. on the GAL
bookcase in the corner, daffodils shont
golden in the sunlight. The window wa
open, and a faint little spring breeze stole
in and ruffled the papers on the table, and
played softly in Betty's curly ihair.
Don't be absurd, Bet" Toms voice
was still quite quiet, but distinctly stern
why can't you be reasonable, and DE-
what ask? You might surely understand
that 1 would not ask you to do a thing
unless I felt sure it was best"
And l don't see why you should know
what is best any better than I do.
!
| because you are a man, and that I am
just meekly going to do everything You
wish because I am woman. 1 am not
the kind Of woman, anyhow, who will
| make a Gr:selda sort of a wife, and !
shan't give in to you now"
Betty's tone was more and more angry.
| Toms lips frightened.
For heavens sake, Betty, don't let us
begin that COMPOUNDED man and woman
| nonsense. You are simply catching up the
| silly cackle Of the day. There IS no ques-
| ton between US of your being Gr.selda,
| or of my ruling you because l am Ia man.
| 1t is not a matter of sex at all, but Of two
| human beings, who, having elected TO live
4 their lives together, must learn to give and
| take. Come, dear, try to see It from my
! point of view"
Il am afraid I can't. Why shouldn't
| you see it from mine?" Betty's tone was
| sarcastic. Il am mot your wife yet. When
1 am We can discuss the question of CIV
ing and taking. At present 1 don't think
have much taking. 1t is all giving-on
my side
The girl was losing her head in a petu-
liant, unreasoning fit of passion-and she
knew IL. But-being in a temper-she
would not let reason sway her at all. She
turned away from her tall young lover,
and drummed upon the window pane.
Betty, darling, don't let US quarrel over
this. l am-going away so soon. Won't
you DO this one thing 1 ask you?'
mo, 1 won't. I've told you l won't"
az wouldn't press it. dear, but that I
know 1 am right Bob Mayne is not the
sort of man you should be friendly with
and I ask you, as a favor to me. not
to let him hang about you as he does"
A pleading note came in 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. I happen to know
Mr.. Mayne extremely well, and he Is very
pleasant and charming, and 1 certainly
shall not give him up-just because 1 am
engaged to you. I 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 a little, but he tried to
speak patiently.
Don't you think II is rather undigni-
fed to wrangle Ike this. dear? I am
awfully sorry to have vexed you. or
Mayne-but he is not fit to be about you, |
and 1 want you not to encourage him to |
be friendly. Betty, DEAR won't you do |
what l wish?"
NO, 1 will not. and If you are not sat- |
isfied with me as 1 am, if you want a |
wife VINO 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 spoiled child
OF course, I don't want you to agree
with me in everything. I am not an utter
fool. But in this matter of your friend
ship with Mayne 1 am determined"
80, are you? So am 1. The days have
gone by when women were chattels, 10
obey a man in whatever he ordered.
have quite as strong a will as you have,
Tom"
Think It over, dear" his voice softened
again, remember I, sail in three days"
Il don't care If you sail tomorrow.
Am sure I don't care in the very least If
never see you again. You worry me
'o.''
do you mean that Betty?" he asked
little hoarsely.
Mean II? Certainly I mean It, Why
hould you want me TO give up my friends
ust to please you? 1 am thankful you are
a:ling in three days. Perhaps then 1
hall have little peace"
OF course she did not mean it-not one (
vord CT Il. But Tonl-honest, faithful.
owing Tom-was apt to take things au
led de "a lettre, and had no faint idea
T what marvellous and astounding things I
4 angry woman can say without mean {
g any Of themi I
He looked at her in a curious, daze6, | c
ull way.
You Will soon have the peace you | ,
ant" he said. heavily. Il shall not come !
nd see you again before We sail unless .
GU send for me-
She laughed little, shriIl, angry laugh.
20. don't be afraid; 1 shant send for
ou.'
'uched her gently. II can't bear 10 go =
way when You are angry"
do leave me alone" she said shortly.
nd Tom turned and moved slowly to Ii
Ie door. e
Then. is this goodbye. Bet" ne asked | n
intil 1 come home from Ind.a?" "
IF you ike" and the irritating drum
ing On the window-pane began again. J.
Goodbye, then"-his voice sounded a
ufied. 1T IS for three years. you know" b,
20. yes. yes, know" a.
The small, impatient voice stung him.
He opened the door with a jerk. laugh ?
8 shortly. Z
Goodbye" ne said again. and fingered y
instant on the threshold. looking a: the A.
n BY the window. Her back was towards
n. He could only see the trim. slight :,
-ure, the shapely little head. On which -
sunlight fell softly -
But she did not turn or speak again. :.