The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-04-13
At the Charity Ball

tische. Shall it be for you?" she said
If you will so honor me. But as I
can't dance anything but the waltz,
am going TO ask you 10 come with me
TO that little alcove retreat over there,
where we can talk and watch the fig
ures.''
Fer answer Mildred Erickson laid her
gloved fingers on his arm and raised her
brown eyes to his face as they walked
away from the group of dancers now
forming for the schottische.
The little aIcove retreat" was at one
end OF the long ballroom, and was mass
ed with cut flowers and ferns Mia<ed
threw her huge bouquet of bridesmaids
down beside her and took up two-thirds
of the divan with her full skirts. Brown
ing sank back luxuriously sin the silken
cushions at her side.
Everyone seems to be here tonight,
she said.
Yes. Even l."
There is Maud Jones. now, in that
pale blue chiffon. Do you know she is
to be married next week to Jack Mar
shall?"
She? This is only her second season,
isn't it?"
Second! No, only her first" Mildred
said with laugh and shrug Of her plump
white shoulders.
AANA AiESh- lOO dAC ltiOtS cCiiSiD4Cs
Miss Erickson. Why. this is your tenth
season. Don't you remember I was at
your coming out tea?"
Eyes, and you were old, then-2S; just
my age now" She picked up her bon
quet and buried her face in the fresh
pink blossoms
and you were in white and carried
pink roses, just like those. Mildred"
But not so large BUNCH and she
began pulling the flowers out and tear
ing off the petals, while Browning watch
ed her color come and CO.
And I sent them
And you sent them"
Browning shifted his position slightly.
Il wonder what Marshall wants to
marry that little Miss Jones for?" he
said.
LAS she is not an heiress. he probably
thinks he loves her. l hope it does not
worry you, Mr. Browning"
Me? Not at all. I suppose you've
often wondered why I've never married"
Mildred's cheeks assumed the hue of
her roses.
"I? Not at all. Rather, I should won
der If you did get married. I am so
used to you single you know"
And I should wonder at it, too. I like
women. They are beautiful creatures, to
be admired, adored, and localized, but
kept at a distance if man wants to re-
tain his peace of mind. Don't you think
so, Miss Erickson?'
Can Mr. Browning be wrong?"
THANK you. Now, suppose had mar
ried when I was, say, %. n TIE years ago.
I'd have a wife who never thought Of
me or my home, but always of her own
personality and social engagements. My
home would be no home at all, because
I should expect things of her which she
would never do"
Miss Erickson was unconsciously pull
ing the flowers to pieces and watching
Mr.. Browning with studied courtesy.
Browning continued: GAS it is, I have
my bachelor fat, in which l am king.
My servants, whom no one ever inter
feres with. 1 go and come when 1
please, to the club, to the opera to din
ners, or to Europe. My horses and car
riages are mine, and no one ever COM
plains of them. Ny house is solitude
itself unless I wish to make 1t noisy.
Don't you think am a sensible man."
1T really had never occurred to me,
Mr.. Browning" Mildred said laughing
slightly,
"Of course you do. You have followed
my example and remained single
But not alone. There Is mamma and
papa and Joe and the girls, Mr.. Brown
Ing. o, I should not care for solitude
nor enjoyment alone"
you are not so selfish"
NO"
"What?"
You are not so selfish"
mo"
''What?"
mo, Mr.. Browning, am not selfish.
And you would be happier If you were
not"
Browning looked at her In silent amaze
ment. Then he said:
81 suppose 1 have given up a lot for
my selfshness. 1t might be nice to have
a wife always waiting for me and plan
ming little surprises for my comfort and
enjoyment, If she were sweet and nice
and charming. like she would be before
l married her. And to always have some
one to take out with me whenever I-or
rather she-care to go. And to entertain
my friends as some women can do. And
to see great tall boys and gentle girls
my children-growing up about me. But
a man must have a lot of nerve 70 ask
a woman to give herself to him alone"
Not necessarily" Mildred's lips were
parted in a smile.
name. ali girlish pastimes, every bit Of
Browning went on, answering his own
question.
''She regards 1t all as pleasant sacri-
fee. if she loves the man. Mr.. Browning
"And II she loves the man will she
want to do all this If he asks her top
Men are positive and women mega
tive"
80, you advise me to marry?"
81 advise all men to marry"
Then, why are you single, Mildred?"
7 nd rha
ed softly.
Browning watched the gay scene Of the
ballroom IN silence a moment. Then
he said:
Mildred, shall tell you why never
married?"
The girl buried her face again in the
roses.
yes" she said.
Because 1 never thought you would
have me. You were so bright and gay,
and ten years younger than l"
Mildred leaned forward until be felt
her breath on his cheek She spoke rap
idly. for she saw Mr.. Bixby coming TO
claim a waltz
shall I tell you why never married.
Paul?"
Yes"
Because you never asked me-"
Mildred"
Browning sprang forward from the
siIken cushions and caught her hand
But she withdrew it hurriedly. ard with
her face all wreathed in sniles caught
m ner flowers and fan and lace handker-
chief and said, as she walked away:
Come 10 me tomorrow afternoon a. ;,
Mr.. Browning"
Ana a moment later Browning saw her
floating through the steps 81 the waltz On
The arm of George Bix5y.-St. Louis
Star.
To be Tried Again