The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-08
A Misapprehension,

pecIdtlOn that they would De married ana
contemplated that fact without much in
terest for all the years OF their youth.
When Anfce came home from school and
was introduced into society il was gen.
orally understood that she would be allow
ed only one season of freedom. She took
debutante's pleasures somewhat gravel,
and people complained that, for an Amer
lean, she was singularly lacking in VI
vacity, though she was, beyond all gain
saying, beautiful She was tall and pale,
with glowing abundant hair and deep red
brown eyes, large and pensiye. She az
fected a peculiar fashion OF attire, and
seemed always 10 move slowly in the
midst OF flowing draperies. The rest Of
the world might be hurried, but Anlce
was sedate and calm and slow. The dra-
peries seemed made to trail through lofty
nails, and she was never more thoroughly
herself than On the day she was married,
when shewalked down the white stairs OF
her home in her bridal garments, pale
and sad, and paced like melancholy
queen the length of the hushed drawing
room among the snowy roses.
Adelaide Duncan, who had once been
her friend, used 10 urge that Anice was
not al heart so calm as she seemed.
She seems the most conventional OF
girls" she would sometimes remark, but
as a matter of fact no one dislikes con-
vention so much as she. She says she
has never been allowed to be herself-an
her life has been arranged for her. She
says in our class Of society every one
knows what one is expected to do at
each point in ones career. She told me
she had been bored ever since she was
born. I used to think she excepted me
from the list Of bores, but since she was
married she is uncommunicative even TO
me-"
rs she so absorbed in her husband?"
some one asked.
20, wouldn't go so far as to say that"
returned Adelaide, struggling her Shout
ders.
Lawrence Favorfte certainly would not
have claimed that his young wife was alb
sorbed in him He had been well enough
pleased to marry her. He knew the pu-
rity and dignity of her life and could
not help noting her regal beauty, but his
life, like hers, had been mapped out for
him to a great extent He had upon his
graduation from college, gone into the
business with his father, as had been de-
signed from the day of his birth. He
had married the woman whom the whole
world thought he ought to marry be-
cause of the close connection of the fani-
lies in business, and because of long and
intimate social relations. After it was
done he began to wonder If it was well
done. He tried to look at his wife with
the eyes of a stranger, and after a. few
days of critical surveillance it occurred
to him that he was indeed a stranger to
her.
You are reticent woman. my dear"
he said to her one evening as the two
&to,- i yoI
languidly smiled.
"A confidential woman is always annoy
ing, don't you think so?' she responded.
Her tone was conventional-almost forbid
ding.
Il don't think a confidential wife would
he annoying Anice."
She looked at him across their dainty
table-looked at him over the violets, and
was never more beautiful with her gleam-
ing satin gown and her delicately tinted
flesh than at that moment. but not line
of her face softened at his remark
"a progressive confidence, at breakfast,
luncheon, and dinner would be truly ter
rible, Lawrence. 1 spare you a great
deal"
You spare me too much. In these days
that 1 have been at home ailing it has
occurred to me that know nothing about
your life"
There is little to know"
But you are busy all day long"
so is almost everybody"
"Other women of your acquaintance go
TO certain expected places. Their car
riages upon the street at certain hour
will be an indication Of their errand
abroad But you go out afoot. in the
plainest garments. You are out at the
most unexpected hours. You receive ex-
traordinary persons. You send the car
riage out to unheard of neighborhoods."
Have you been making inquiries Of the
servants?' she inquired coldly.
Yes, without meaning offense. 1t came
about accidentally. You are unjust II you
think me idly inquisitive. But I realize
that you and I are strangers"
Il realized that long time ago. That
is why have not confded in you
But why did you marry me if you con-
sidered me a Stranger"
For the same reason that you married
me-because 1t was too much trouble to
priest; because ito was simpler TO marry
somebody than to remain single and have
folks forever worrying; and because
whatever you did not know about me,
you knew nothing objectional. In other
words, we were married because we were
too supine to protest"
He sighed and looked longingly at the
exquisite woman opposite him.
Il suppose it is So he admitted, but
I much wish we had married each other
for some better reason"
Her pale face seemed to grow yet paler.
eve mustn't grow retrospective" she
said. 1T would be $3.50 odolescent."
And she changed the subject.
The next day he was able to go to
business, but he could not fix his mind
upon the letters 20 which he endeavored
to give his attention and the details Of
his business continually slipped from him
He was consumed with curiosity concern
ing the interests with which HIS wife ap-
peared to be filing her life, and he was
enough of man OF the world 10 realize
that unrestricted liberty and endless leis-
ure are dangerous for a woman who
thinks herself unloved and who does not
love. Harassed with these reflections,
he felt his indisposition returning, and.
too irritable 10 remain longer at his desk.
he went home There was certain bride
folding her post-nuptial reception in the
neighborhood. ard the carriages thronged
the avenues leading to the house.
"Anice viii be there" he said to HIM
self. And she viii be more beautiful
than the fairest."
But as he ascended his steps he was
surprised to see his wife open the door
and stand on the threshold talking with
a woman n his wife's arms was a little
babe. and she bent and kissed il twice
before she placed il in the arms OF Its
mother.
Be sure and give the baby an airing
every day" she called as TIE woman
started away. And TIE food will be sent
Up tomorrow and the little buggy VII be
there when you get home. I'll expect you
again a week fvm today. Don't forget"