The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-05-31
The Battle With the Sexes.

Sd" you, she SAID.
I am fatally conspicuous. 1 know" She
looked at me with so much meaning
twlnkiing brightly in her eyes that ad-
oed: What was / doing?
Nothing at ALL she replied
L confessed that it was my fayori:e
occupation.
You seemed very happy"
! daresay I was careful to seem hap
py. always am
You We're not alone
II can believe that. Full many a care
worn heart finds refuge behind a careless
smile
L thought most people wore their hearts
lower down. Mr. Wroughtnight." she said
and as the jest seemed 10 amuse her I
| conceded a smile.
But I didn't mean that. I meant that
you had some one with you"
I suffer from many friends"
IF you always employee that tone in
speaking Of them" said Mrs. Cheedle Sc
verely, Il don't think you deserve any at
ALL"
IT don't said L And I wish they
would realize that
She pondered Are you a cynic?" she
asked.
My little brother is" replied.
She sighed, then Frightened. 1T was
| a lady you were with she said.
My sister. I expect
'She hadn't that air exactly"
No no.
81 wonder who she was?"
She wore a gray toque."
They will wear them" said I, ''in
/ spite of Mr.. Alexander"
THAT reminds me. She looked rather
! like an actress"
| They are all actresses I cried, with
| a touch of bitterness.
~ mean an actress on the stage"
THAT is very different thing, Of
course"
81 hope" said Mrs. Cheedle, you are
not flirt, Mr.. Wroughtnight."
J without hope" said L society would
be just a provident association
She shook her head over me. do you
! often walk with ladies in Bond street?"
! she asked.
Zone must do something" murmured,
| meekly.
You might stroll in the park and feed
| the ducks"
"Or in Bond street." said I, land feed
| the gossips."
She laughed "Have you many lady
wrieds, Mr. Wroughtnight?'
Sometimes 1 think 1 must have thou
sands, Mrs Cheedle''
She clapped her hands. Then you be-
| lieve that friendship is possible between
the sexes"
1.-The undesirable IS always possible
said I.
Really" she exclaimed, you are very
rude"
II am sincere" said I.
what is sincerity?"
Generally" said I, st IS very mala-
/ droit'
tience of my ETAo. MOI, I'll 7S9Os. IN
Her eyes famed with sudden in1pati-
ence of my levity, and looked grave.
you are very clever, aren't you Mr..
Wroughtnight?" she said, with a tiny
sheer.
ct is not for me tosay"
"a good many people think you clever"
TOO many, perhaps"
zone too many. certainly
81 certainly think 1 am clever, If that
IS what you mean. Thinking oneself
clever is half the battle. you know
She smiled gayly After all 1 don't
think you are clever, really, really" said
she, "only sensible and nice. And that
is why 1 want us to be friends. You
have said that It is possible. L want to
prove to you that it is also desirable.
you have already done So" said I.
How nicei' she cried I'VE are friends,
then? And 1 may tell you about-every-
thing?"
I was rather startled. but said: Ger
tainly. That is the subject I am most
interested III,
And you won't be clever? You'll be
just restful, eh?"N
II will be human pillow" said I.
Then" she said, with tragic emphasis,
''I will make a confession TO you. Josie
and 1 have quarreled."
"Quarreled? No!'
yes" said she. Ever so many times"
"Oh," 1 cried, very much relieved. II
thought you meant seriously. There is
no harm in a man and wife quarreung,
so long as the make a habit of it,
''Oh, we don't do that" she exclaimed,
Mortified. What dreadful ideal"
BASED on a dreadful knowledge" said
she
Il know what he was" 1 replied sadly
Hes $3.50 unreasonable
81 suppose he is
"And he viii arue."
Eyes"
And argument IS so exhausting."
Certainly"
"Of course. Mr. wroughtnight. am
not saying a word against Josie"
30, ofcours enot sadie taoi ab. tY. 81
"Of course not" said I, gravely.
He is the best husband in the world
That IS the commonest variety OF hus-
band"
And, really. he has a lot 70 sound,
common sense"
He is quite intelligent" cried, with
enthusiasm.
"Only-only he will argue"
ct is his great weakness"
He argues rather well, though, some
times"
That is always so hard TO forgive"
She fingered her dress. Il suppose" said
she, men often have very serious talks
together-don't they"'
Il think you shouldn't expect too much
from them. Mrs. Cheedle.'
''Oh. but I am sure they 90. Don't be
absurd Mr. Wroughtnight. / never for
give anyone who tries to make fun Of
me-
We were silent awhile
Josie" said she, thinks a lot o: your
opinion"
If he thought less he might act on
It, perhaps"
''Oh he does"
Only when 1t comedies with his own.
But OF course we are ali like that"
He said 70 me once: Old PaiF-thst IS
you, isn't Il. Mr Wroughtnig ht?-'oId Pm
says things that sink in"
You alarm me-
Z should think It must be 50 nice %
influence ones friends in that way
wish I had a noble influence over a
friend. I would use 1t. Il I could. n make
him very happy And you know. Mr.
Wroughruichi Josie VIII never Be really
happy until he leaves of arguing with
ue2''
/ began 20 tremole with apprehension.
III Re only understood my nature bet
Ter" said she. he would see how foolish
Il is 20 ;~y ard win me- over by arEu-
ment- 7 an not at al thas kind or We
man. Ny nature IS 20 Yield. But I an,
proud, and ike 20 yield Ct m owu free
VIII. On. II only ne could be 5Tou~hr /