Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-01-29

J riage," said l impatiently
to my romantic friend
Jack Manning, as we sat over the fire
| in my modest chambers discussing the
pros ana cons of life in double har-
ness. 1T is simply impossible to COM
bine the two. Marriage is prosaic,
practical condition, make the court
ship what you will. There should be
no silly love-making in the business at
ALL
I've heard all that sort of thing be-
fore" said Jack quietly, putting rings
of smoke scientifically into the air.
"And you, like the rest, only want a
smile from a pair of bright eyes to
bowl you over and set you by the ears.
It's fate, my boy, that's what it is"
''Bosh," said L contemptuously.
"When l marry it will be Il woman
who does not expect any nonsense of
that kind. We shall conduct our part
nership on n business-like basis-I to
provide the money, she to take care OF
the home"
Left alone took down photograph
and regarded it intently.
"Here's the wife for me-a nice, SEN
sible, intelligent girl, with no non
sense about her at all. Pm tired of q
bachelor life; it's wretchedly dull
Yes, I'll so and see her tomorrow and
get it over"
Miss Sylvester did not blush, cast
down her eyes or tremble or appear
agitated in any manner. She looked
thoughtfully out of the window for
some seconds, then she looked up and
regarded me soberly.
Would you mind telling me what
your annual income is?'' she asked.
This staggered me bit, but l told
her $500 without any hesitation.
Its not great amount" she mused.
"But still we might manage on it with
prudence. l haven't very expensive
tastes, and YOU"
l murmured that I was most unpre-
hntious in my way of living, and
asked whether she would consider
smoking an unnecessary luxury.
Not at ALL" she answered promptly.
Il hope l am not so foolish as that.
You see l am practical woman, and
you will quite understand that in ac-
cepting your offer sentiment is not
brought to bear upon me at all, and l
think 1 may depend upon you not to
subject me to any foolish dcmonstra-
tons of affection"
"Certainly," l returned. "You have
but echoed my sentiments. l trust |
shall be able to make you happy, and
that you will not regret your decision
to-day"
And then we talked over matters in
a very satisfactory manner. There
was no need to delay the marriage she
agreed-a couple of months would be
quite sufficient to make all necessary
arrangements-and after a cup of tea
and the congratulations OF mamma. a
gawky sister and n rather handsome
young brother, returned home to my
diggings in the dignified character of
a formally engaged young man.
Mary would not allow me to buy her
an engagement ring; it was quite un-
necessary, she said, and we should
want all the money we had. In the
matter of house furnishing she exhib-
tied a practical, matter-of-fact inter
est which was most commendable, and
she determinedly discountenanced any
idea of a honeymoon.
I'VE shall get tired of one another
In week." she said. 81 shall be ouite
content to remain at home, and per-
haps go to concert or lecture in the
evening"
One memorable day something oc-
cured which opened my eyes to the
real state of things. l surprised Mary
IN the act of saying goodbye to her
smart young brother at the door. She
put both arms around his neck and
kissed him with a warmth OF affection
l had never deemed her capable of. A
very demon Of jealousy rose within
me.
followed her into the room, talking
wildly and as idiotically as only n man
In love can. l caught her hand,
pressed 1t to my lips, and implored her
to be kind to me. She told me not to
make myself ridiculous. Her disdain
and contempt for me goaded me be-
yond bearing. l told her life was n
bowling Wilderness without her love.
and l aGc ed the very ground she
walked Oh, nd that unless she recip-
rocated my affection | should never
find peace on this side Of the grave.