The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-25

There is no moral to this story by
Blanche Willis Howard, and some readers
may be dispose to maintain that IL has no
morals. 1t is a love story Of the intense
sort. with a curious personal quality. as IL.
to an extent. it might be autobiographicaL
Monica. the heroine. an American girl.
loves twice in a most ardent way. and in
both cases her affections are misplaced. the
men upon whom they are bestowed being
already married. The first object OF her
regard is a young physician VIII had
somehow. me-. clearly explained, wrecked
his life by an unfortunate marriage. and
who. in a clandestine interview. with an
account of which the story opens, makes
this remark to her: when I found you I
knew that / had always loved you You
were waiting for me. dear. and I-fool-I
had not waited" He has. however. more
discretion than the girl. and endeavors 20
show her the risk she takes In meeting
him, but 1t is her mother who takes mat
tiers in hand and puts an end 10 the affair.
The situation is summed M and the con-
ventional and irregular Views set forth In
this bit of conversation between mother
and daughter:
Monica, what IL all the girls of youf
set should follow your example and each
sit on a pile of planks in the rain on terms
of closest intimacy with a married manf
Would you consider this a proof of a 1ne
moral sense in the community
"'Quite as much so at least retorted
Monica hotly. as when kitty says; ~ can
laughs | simply hate him. But i cheer
myself on with the thought of his beautt-
full bank account"
tiers without rhyme or reason; which by
no means proves that. once married, she
will not be a happy and ahectionate wife.
But, In any event. think you; Monica.
tvs conduct
Monica clutched at a straw.
You say once married. mamma: Is hat
a charm-once married? Look at the mar
ried ones. Take every family in this street
Look at their bored faces when they are
walking together. 1s IL moral 70 1--we to-
gether under one roof. but worlds apart IN
sentiment? To loathe their chains. quarrel.
and yet. merely because they mistook their
sentiments twenty years ago, to continue
the sordid, cowardly. hypocriticai relation
ship-and without love bring children into
the world? Except Peter and Lillian. !
never knew a happy marriage.
Monica Is sent abroad through her moth
| er's efforts and makes her home In a Ger
man town. where she studies. writes and
occupies herself with music. She carries
on a correspondence with the lover left
| behind. but eventually he, also. through
| her mothers influence. ceases writing. She.
III NAAAA@
| man gentleman OF high personal and pro-
fessional repute. oddly enough. a doctor
like the first. and a singular love affair II
developed between them He. who Is un-
congenially mated. finds pleasure In Moni-
cas- society and she In his. and they de-
liberately resolve 20 crafty themselves by
meeting occasionally. Notwithstanding the
unpleasant opposition OF the doctors wife.
After one memorable interview with the
wife. Monica returned home I'm despair and
cut to the heart by the cruelty OF the
scene. WAS her creed she asked her.
self. capable OF loving a man perfectly
and leaving him free? Was love but own
erships" While. as for a wife without
love for her husband. why should she care
IL he found companionship elsewhere? The
doctor himself meditates thus:
There Is no room in the world for my
| hearts love. There ought TO be room for
IL. In exactly this situation there ought
10 be a solution TO this woman. my wife
only IN name-no affront 10 her preJucices
or her vanity. entailing no sacrifice OF her
idols: a solution which should harm no
! hair OF my chfidren's heads. but rather
| bless them with more sunshine: a solution
acceptable to al three and 70 the comr