Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1900-05-02
WHILE A MAN LIVES.

whAtI The silence Jung that 'eavy you was
'alf afraid to speak, and neither OF us knew
how to break it, had been fumng aud
fidgetting for something to say more than
20 minutes before Phyllis gave me my cue
by rising suddenly.
Pm sorry to seem rude or uDgraeious,"
she said, stitiiy, ''but you really must excuse
me now. I've got club paper to prepare
tomorrow morning, and must get 10 bed
early"
sighed Phyllis heaved sigh. too, but
repressed it. 1t was over the club paper that
we had quarreied. We had begun by taking
opposite sdes of the question treated just
for fun, and merely that Phyllis might be in
good condition 10 worst any possible oppo-
nent when the time for reading the paper
came around; we had ended by arguing the
matter in downright earnest.
Goodnight" said Phyllis, still stiffly.
But fancied that | detected signs of soft.
ening abost her eyes and mouth, and |
spoke up bravely.
Il suppose it had better be 'good.by' as
wei" told her. "You know we long ago
decided that we believed it worse than fool
ish for two people to marry unless they
could promise to think alike upon all sub
lGtls VI dklNt " pltdsahNiss wv W
clearly demonstrated our inability to do
either tonight, ~ there seems nothing for
il but TO shake hands regretfully and part,
does theres And /, for one, suffer enough at
the mere idea of saying good-by to want to
get it over quickly. Shall we make up our
minds to do it now, Phyllis
"Just as you please," answered Phyllis,
coldly, taking not the slightest notice of the
,..,,r1J % pl yvb,..b / ha
thrown into my voice for the last sentence; ;
"it is immaterial to me what you choose to
do about it."
"Of course we shall both be little lonely
for awhile" continued, "and it will need
The constant recollection of the fact that
we laid down our happiness for the sake OF
our principles to console US. hut ! suppose
we shall get it in time, and be glad we had
the strength to part before matters had gone
too far. 1t will I've much harder for me than
you," finished. meditatively, because you
will have so many friends and lovers to con.
sois you. while Matilda Jorkins is the only
person can think OF at present who will
try to console me-"
This last remark drew fire, as I had ex.
pected it to do
Shell talk you to death and let you go
hungry afterward," snapped Phyllis, who
cordially disiikes Miss Matilda.
Yes, confidently expect that she will
ry my patience and love of life sorely,'
responded, but what else is left for me TO
30! 1t is not good for a man to live alone,
ou know, Phyllis. and after having known
nd loved you | expect ! shall have to-hy
% the opposite extreme | concluded, al
most at loss how to finish that sentence
gracefully.
Aud Matilda Jorkins is the only woman
know of who is willing to own herself de.
'eated in an argument when this phe.
.omenon actually occurs" began again
presently. II know she is capable of this
greatness of mind and soul because sho-"
Told you 80 herself" interrupted Phyllis
was obliged to admit tacitly that this was
"And she thinks just as do about this
subject, anyway" continued Phyllis in
great triumph moment later,
"You mean you think you think just as
he does checkmated her by remarking.
Il felt solerably certain those extreme and
.lmost unwomanly ideas whi'h you have sx.
iresscd this evening emanated from her
brain rather than from your own dear. little,
owing heart. Phyllis. But Matilda Jorkins, "
| continued, triumphant W my turn, would
not have hesitated at all about keeping
Silence or changing the conversation when
seemed that quarrel was imminent. But,
hen, she's different from some women. She
Hys that 1t is only the plain woman who
as the courage to keep silence or TO give
II and own herself defeated as rule"
"O does she. indeed" cried Phyllis, toss
g her head. well, she's plain enough to
;now."
Phyllis herself is pretty. and sometimes
| almost think she knows it. I'm sure she
ikes to be told so.)
"A pretty woman, like yourself, for in
tsnce." began again, with this certainty
II mind, rarely knows enough to yield an
rsument or concede point. she says. The
nretty woman is too well used TO being
beyed and petted and hattered for that"
20, indeed! Is she'" said Phyllis, with
iarcastic infection. well, Matilda can t
know anything at all about pretty women,
excepting by hearsay."
Now, if Matilda were in the position Of
ither of us continued, passing over that
lst remark in silence, ''she wouldn't hest.
ate moment about declaring that the sub
=ct OF dispute didn't matter ,rine to us,
-ther way, and that the opinions we have
9th been expressing 20 ardently and with
uch vigor were long way from being onr
AL thoughts or principles. But then, Ma
Ida, ! concluded, looking quite away from
Phyllis, "is a remarkable woman in many
"espects--a remarkable woman, indeed"
"I don't believe she's remarkable at all :"
.ried Phyllis. hastily. Hosts aud hosts Of
,ther women would do just the same when
hey came to think it overt"
Pretty women, Phyllis" questioned,
ookiug toward her now
Pretty women" said Phyllis, didactical,
y, and blushing over.
Would the prettiest and sweetest and
lesrest little woman in the world be will
ng 10 say all those things. to own herself at
EAST wrong. and TO let the whole thing go,
Phyllis!" was my next question. In order
o make sure of the answer given by her
Eyes as well as lips placed one hand under
'er chin and compelled her to look up al me,
The next moment both eyes and lips were
hidden from sight against the breast OF my
coat
This woman would" was Phyllis whis-
pered admission, Gift the incest and dear
est and loveliest boy in the world would say
80, tool"
Two seconds later everything was lovely
again. An hour and half later was say.
ing good -by-nOt for all time, but merely un-
til tomorrow evening. just as Phyllis
tucked my muller in about my throat most
carefully. and ! kissed her for doing it, a
roubled thought flashed across my brain.
"But, Phyllis" whispered, OBTAINING the
= 4 IL >.