The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-06-02

TIN"
tractlve until a sudden impulse-an
answering appeal from those tear wet
eyes-and logic was overturned. Two
soft arms were clasped about my neck.
Two strong arms held a gentle woman
i'll warm embrace The tenderest words
came to our lips-and then no time for
words. One more long, sweet embrace
and we parted-forever.
a week later my conscience, stricken
with the errors of this romance, would
have welcomed a public horsewhip-
ping. | could tolerate no further de-
lay in ending this unfortunate matter
That l deserved no further considera-
ton, even IL our circumstances In life
were compatible, knew and accepted
as final. Elizabeth Martin must cease
to be an important factor In my life
In order to facilitate this removal de-
termined to adopt the theory that love
is a condition subject to mental con-
troll, and, after finding some one whose
experiences, ambitions and circum-
stances were in harmony, to win her
love and 10 place my affections and
welfare In her keeping.
The good and the undesirable fea-
lures OF the interchangeable young
women of the neighborhood were
studied with interest. There were
many favorable points in each one
who. unknown to herself, of course,
was a candidate for my matrimonial
net. However, none was exactly sat
isfactory Some expected too much
of the man. Few were willing to bear
their share and were prone to grumble.
Some didn't like the town and wouldn't
live in Myersburg for mint of mon
ey." Every one of them could spend
money faster than three young lawyers
could earn it. They seemed to have an
idea that money grew on trees and all
that was necessary was to continue to
shake the paternal limb. The other
objections were common enough,
though they are more the fault of the
mother who is ambitious and who has
forgotten the romance of the struggle
of her own young wifchood and re
members only the bitterness of that
struggle to keep up appearances while
scraping and saving to found a home
and comfortable fortune. The only
romance mother or daughter looks for
ward to in these days includes three
servants. maid. butler and a French
chauffeur
At last, in spite of being so peculiar
and particular, there came candidate
without fiaw-absolutely without flaw
interesting, intelligent high spirited
good taste, perfect in form and pos
sessing all of those feminine graceS
that please the average man. Jovlal
though serious when need be, seasoned
enough to command respect and 9
wholesome fear, she makes capita
companion and a good chum. You see
when l begin talking of Isabel l wan
! der from the main point and almost
! forget TO ask you if there isn't some
thing wrong with this love theory.
The first cloud appeared on Saturday
morning 1t was a telegram from Eliz
abeth Martin. She was at Lakewood
again and wondered if l was not com
ing before she left for Japan. I die
just what you would have done, ant
exactly what twelve months before
had taken solemn oath never to dc
again.
The return journey brought me home
heavy eyed and heartsore. 1t was NJ
longer right for me to keep this eX
perience from Isabel, and that very
night, without reservation, she was
given the entire story. That Elizabeth
Martin had been my true love l die
not conceal. No defense was made
and none was necessary. There were
tears in Isabcl's eyes, not of anger no
Of panied surprise, but tears of low
and unfathomed sympathy. Then tt
Isabel was given the message of Eliz