The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-17
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You are nothing, Jessica, if not up to
date. You are more. You are unique,
unusual All your friends say that.
They say you are quite right in making
to him in every way. You have wasted
a year of your life on him.
Jessica shrugged her shoulders ever
so slightly.
questioned This? That he has vast
ed year of his life on mel"
De Narville frowned.
Il don't know, I am sure, what they
was brute Jessica. AND why live
with a brute as his wife-"t
When there are so many other brutes
with whom one might simply dine,' fin
ished Jessica.
of course. With whom one may pass
! a pleasant evening, then say TIA ta.'
That is best-freedom. It is these
chains that gall. 1t is sad, but true.
the fact remains. Once a woman be-
comes the property of a man she loses
her charm. The sense of ownership APP
pears to deaden his interest He is not
so with any other thing which he hap
pens to own. His horse, his dog, their
value is only enhanced by the fact of
| possession. But the womanl Once his
wife. in many cases she is no better
! than q slave"
| Jessica. toying with her fork, marked
/ tablecloth.
For, centuries" she ruminated, re-
and sold as such. Perhaps, after all,
/ that is what we were born to be-"
| Again De Narville laughed.
| Now that you are out of bondage"
| said he you can look back over the
situation and laugh 1t has some humor
| for you. That is better than tears. And
! sorrow is, to a certain extent, beneficial.
II sharpens the wits. Not that you
have not always been quick witted. On
the contrary. so much more so than he
II was a pity. your friends said. to see
you with him
Yes. they said that to me-" inter-
rupted Jessica; but what did they say
| to hin?"
She answered her own question
The self-same thing, turned round
the other wav."
De Narville looked hard at her in the
bright light of the glowing electrics.
Freedom becomes you. Jessica," he
declared. Il am almost ready to fall in
love with you myself. tonight"
Almost. repeated Jessica. ruefuly.
| Quite, asserted De Narville. You look
content Joyous. radiant. I wish other
friends of yours. who have seen you in
tears. could gaze upon you now. Friends
who have talked that affair of your over
and over
Jessica nodded assentingly.
Yes" said she. my friends have lost
little time. They have been nothing if not
industrious"
- was. Nou WIZ started the Ddl IOil-
ing replied De Narville with touch Of
reproach. who rendered us our first in
| formation"
| True. but it was such a little ball to
start with. and when it came backi 1t was
like boys SNOWFALL the size of mani
We didn't know it was ours
Her expectant eye rested on the face of
the clock. Apparently she had forgotten
the existence of De Narville
1t is s. she murmured land time for
| him to come"
They turned from the clock to the door
| A light cleaned in them suddenly The
friend for whom she had waited stood
| there.
He advanced and De Narville rising, va
Gated his place at the table opposite Jes-
sica.
''Mr. De Narville." said Jessica, my
husband.
Then: I'VE are celebrating the anniver-
sary of our wedding day together she
explained with a smi1e.-ZOe Anderson
Norris, in the Valley Magazine.