The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-10
NOUGRTS AND CROSSES.


We began to play first on a scrap of
paper which had utilized to make
diagram of the neighborhood to show
her the relative position of our reSDec-
tive homes: that is to say. of her home
and the little house which had bought
ana furnished in the somewhat wild
hope that she might one day by becom-
ing its mistress convert it into my
home On that occasion she had treat
ed the diagram very fiippantly by guild
ing my hand TO make a nought in the
area which stood for my front garden
and her mischievous look conveyed to
me that the cyDher was meant to rep
resent the sum of my worldly goods.
Accordingly, L responded with great
independence by making a big cross
the symbol which L believe is popularity
supposed to denote a kiss-on either
side of the little square which in my
amateur drawing stood for the front
door.
She resented this because she said I
had played out of turn She thereupon
drew the correct figure for game that
she termed ncuShtS and crosses and in
structed me how to play in accordance
with rule. The figure was very simple
merely TWO perpendicular strokes
crossed by two horizontal ones. and
mere was no skill required, it seemed.
One merely put a nought or a cross into
one of the little spaces and did ones
lever best to get three in a row, which
counted one Ioint. 1t was a very child
L
found myself playing it with her at
every opportunity: and it had at least
the merit like mediocre music in
drawing room, of affording cover for
conversation
Il don't think" she said one day. in
an interval which spent sharpening her
pencil, that I'm exacting; but one nat
uraliy expects something out of life,
me either
AT least" said, in low voice. 4
give you love-
No; that's where you make the mis-
take. You think that in loving me you
give me love. But you dont-not an
emotion even. Cross out love."
i shall do nothing of the kind" l re-
sponded. Indignantly.
AS for money" she IA.sued, II don't
think, l don't really tnink that four
my ambition. Put a nougnt for mon
ey.'
Il decline" I said. for I can at least
look to the future with tolerable GER
tainty"
It's no good looking too far ahead"
she said; you must remember we've
got to live in the present"
You're right I said, mildly, 'and
it's not much consolation to me at the
present moment to reflect that you'll
certainly be sorry some day that you've
let such chance Slip
She paused. looked hard at me- and
resumed.
ITO put the matter in nutshell. you
really have nothing to offer me. Moth
ing, that is to say, except marriage;
and don't think that of itself suffi-
GENTLY attractive
4 might suggest 1 ventured, that
you are scarcely in a position to judge.
Now if you would allow me to play the
least a year at the end of that time you
might really be able to give an opinion
on the subject"
She shook her head and put a nought
into the middle of a new diagram and
responded belligerently with a cross
underneath.
las regards the money! said. you
can't expect me to make a fortnue
without ever having an opportunity.
No she admitted.
But you seem TO expect me to make
you love me without any opportunityat
all You haven't given me much OPP
portunity." l said. regretfully.
That depends she said, upon what
you cal! opportunity.
We'll" 1 remarked Il think Miss
Arnold gave me d pretty good oppor-
tunity the night of the dance when l sat
out with her in the conservatory.
What Miss Arnold. Do you mean
Jessie Arnold? Oh, I always said she
was a most atrocious fiirti,
Il don't know her Christian name" |
Sa id vaguely Il called ner udrIluS
and / don't suppose it's any Miss
Arnold thIt you know
ssJessie Arnold" she said solemnly,
would be the last-mind. say the
very last-girl to make wife for
poor man.
"Oh! no: the Miss Arnold I mean told
me she understood economic house,
keeping thoroughly
'sJessie's mean. she said earnestly.
'sand she'll never give you ANYTHING
but a cold luncheon. Her way of econ
omizing will be to starve your
Whether one succumbs to starva-
ton or a broken heart" L observed.
darkl:r. cit will be all the same hun
bred years hence
'And in the meantime you've always
got the house" she said, thoughtfully-
But. you know. I haven't much to
keep it up on" said, and 1 crooked
my forefinger and thumb to represent
nought-notbing.
'T suppose" she murmured. zone
would sooner succumb to starvation
than a broken heart
could YOU I asked. with a sudden
inspiration. ''subsist on such Spartan
fare as bread and cheese and err
crosses %
Il think I could she said SOFTLY eff
you provided it.''-E. Beere, in Black
and White