Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-05-01
A CONTRADICTION IN TERMS.
BY Percy Collins.

~ When came into the gar
A~ ~ den the light and gIadness
1iazy5.aD - of the summer were on
IN A1S'I every side. The roses.
shaking off a shower Of
diamond drops as l passed. filled the
air with fragrance, and every lesser
denizen of bed and border added its
share Of sweetness. A bIackblrd
was warbling in a lime tree, whilst
faint music came from the brook which
skirts the green lip Of the lawn.
But my heart failed to respond to
the glad greeting Of the summer
morning. | was at variance with my
self and with all the world. l had
arranged for breakfast at an early
aour so that | might catch the first
train to town. for l wished'tO escape at
once from surroundings which had be-
come unbearable After an almost
sleepless night I had risen without
looking at my watch. Descending, l
found that had forestalled even the
servants of the house, 50 | wandered
into the garden to pass an hour, rest
Iessly tramping the smooth paths
With every step l hurled defiance at
the quiet beauty of the roses and
cursed the blackbird for it's soft, sweet
singing.
At times l called myself a fool for
allowing an empty laugh to thus en-
bitter me. [ urged upon myself the
necessity for putting aside such mani
fest folly. What, l argued, was the
uncertain love of a foolish girl com
pared with the rewards which art and
earning hold out to their devotees?
And yeti argued with myself in
yain-my heart told me that my rea-
soning was faulty.
Dolly and | had been friends ever
since childhood | had come to regard
her half unconsciously, perhaps, but
really. as my special property. Long
ago had settled it in my heart that
my life should be devoted to her hap
ainess. for | loved her dearly with a
love that had stood the test of years
And l fancied-I foolishly nurtured the
rhought-that Dolly was not averse
from me.
And now l had spoken to her
only last night. | told her that at last
7 had an assured position, that
could speak as a man amongst men l
touched lightly upon the fortune that
I had so lately inherited. Finally, I
1old her that her parents and my
mother were well pleased with our
friendship. And I asked her then
and there to say that she would be my
wife
paced the garden more quickly.
and clinChed my fists in anger. as the
memory of the interview bit its way
into my mind. | cursed my folly for
placing myself in position where
such rebuff was possible, for Dolly had
laughed in my face. had thrown back
her pretty head, and, regarding me
through half-cIosed eyelids. had
laughed. Then she had said re
called the words with unpleasant dis
rinctness:
My dear Jack, you know how glad
am to hear of your fortune and sue
cess. But why. o why. am I to be your
wife? | do not see any logical con
nectiOn between what you have told
me and what you have asked me. And
have not the fainteSt idea of promis-
ing any such thing"
Thus she had treated the whole at
fair as a huge and entertaining joke
And well, l had left her alone in
the summer house and had gone away
feeling more angry than ever before in
my life
Suddenly, as I paced the garden
trying to comprehend what to me as
yet seemed impossible l came face to
face with the cause of all NV dis
luieting thoughts. She looked
was bound to admit it-as fresh and
sweet as the morning itself She had
oeen gathering roses and carried a
basket filled with the fragrant blooms
without the least sign of Surprise or
embarrassment she advanced to meet
ne
Since when have you taken to early
rising. Jack?" she inquired with a gay
little laugh. 4 admire your choice of
an occasion for the experiment; the
morning IS perfect. is it not"
ignoring her question. l said
am OFF TO town almost immediate
E-that is, as soon as have had
some breakfast"
fancied that her face grew slightly
srayer as he exclaimed.
So soon, Why. I thought YOU were
at least going to remain over NV birth
day We are such old friends. and he
Ades, you know, you promised"
tried to assume as unconcerned a
manner as possible.
After what took place last night !"
said, with dignity. 81 should hardly
reel justified in burdening you with nv
moment longer than is
necessary"
eyered the stem of a La
ose and added the huge pink
20 her basket. Then she said !.
JACK, you surely know that
Sence is no burden to me
len-when we were boy and
9ther and you used TOTO pull
was always glad OF your
Y. You see, | was such a