Middletown transcript., 1898-11-19
MRS. ovER1Ne,s VIEWS.

She was not a person who often gave
words to her opinions, being. like Des-
demona, "of spirit still and quietn;
but somehow this afternoon she had
been drawn into the old argument,
"Can there be love without jeaIoonusy
the part of man?-man with big M.
as being the pivot around which
women's thoughts are continually veer-
ing"
| Mrs. Overing, the six-months wife.
was at home to her friends, and there
the discussion began.
"Why, Winifredr' said a beautiful
dark woman close by, "you ofall people
whom we all envy, adored and adoring,
what can you know of that grim mon
ster jealousy?''
WlnifIed Overing gave her long,
quiet look, and then turned her eyes
down and played with the suede gloves
on her knee.
1.-THE question is" said the dark
woman, 1.-THE vital question is, How
can we keep our husbands without
making scenes2 Now I maintain that
man rather enjoys his wife making
him a jealous scene. L conyinces him
of her love, and it warns him not to 90
too far. Look at CranOoro"-
''Don't let us be PERSONAL" said
Winifred.
"Oh, 1 don't mind" said Lady Gram
boro bodily. "There is Cralboro-he's
my slave, and the more bully him the
more be likes it. Now, that is because
would have my own way. Now,
you, Winnie, if Gerald Overing did
anything naughty, would just NOPE
about and pine away, and he would go
from bad to worse.''
Mrs, Overing evidently resented the
personalities which were being dragged
into the conversation, for she would
not follow it up-in that strain.
II think" she said, playing with a
thin diamond chian round her neck,
''you are all wrong. There can be
love without jealousy-at any rate, that
would be my sort of love, founded on
the rock Of mutual self-respect, if that
is not TOO high flown thing to say"
''Love founded on a rockp' cried
Muriel Cranboro; "founders on a good
many rocks you mean, DEAR" and the
laugh was against Mrs. Overing.
Winifred was alone on the balcony,
waiting Gerald Overing to come back
from his work, when the gleam of
white struck her eyes. She bent for
ward and picked up note lying to her
hand. "Fancy my leaving Gerald's
letter lying about like thisp" she mused
81 wonder how dropped it,"
She turned it about, and two words
caught her eye. Then she read it
through.
When Gerald Overing came in she
handed it quietly back to him. He
took it, started, and stared at her.
"Good heavenl" he said.
"Yss, Muriel must have dropped it, !"
replied his wife. ssNo one has seen
but In-
There was silence. Then he turn
ed on her.
"Well, 60 on" be said, "abuse me.
OF course, know deserve it, Don't
sit there like martyr"
There's nothing to abuse you for
that can see," said the girlcomposed.
ly. tits rather blow, of course. but
+. 1 suppose if it's happened it's
happened. always thought I was too
greats fool to make you happy long. 1t
might have lasted longer certainly-but
of course you are safe with me-"
ssWell. of all the extraordinary
womenl'' said Gerald Overing. He
caught her by the shoulders.
''Do you or don't you carepp he
asked.
81 must go and dress for dinner
said his wife. She looked fair and
young in the twilight, and rather pale.
For moment her husband stood look.
ing Into her eyes, and then he pushed
her away almost roughly and Left her.
In bis dressing-room the full meaning
nf it dawned upon him. s'She is
woman in ten thousand, . be said. "If
she only cared would never look at
another woman again. He was ready
sarly and went to her room, which was
across the corridor. No candles were
lit, and no French maid was In attend
ance, but by the bed be saw her lying,
IS if she had fallen in crossing the
room. Lifting her. be saw she had
tainted. SO he laid her gently on the
red.
sand | thought she did not carel' be
said to himself.
When she came back to herself again
be was bending over her, heaping her
with every fond word be could think
,f.
SIT was nothing, sweet. Only the
Of q folly. Shall confess it
III, Winnie2n
/. ssNol mol quite believe you Gerald. y
Still, think you were Jealous, he
,aid tenderly.
The conversation Of the afternoon
rushed back to her mind.
mo. Not jealous. = she said, "only
--cnlg''-
ss0nIg what2r
sonly love you. 2 I.adg's Realm.