The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-09-29
A WOMAN'S
DEFIANCE ~
Bx C.. 3. VALENTINE
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Col

Copyright, 1901 by Daily Story Pub. Col
DAULINE CARTERBT looked at the
face her mirror reflected with
Keen and searching scrutiny. 1t was a
face attractive not On account OF it's
beauty only, but also for the intensity OF
feeling and the capacity of loving deep
ly, which was re vealed to an observant
person in the depths of her glorious dark
eyes and the tender curves of her small,
mutinous mouth. Pauline was not pa
tient by natuye, but she had schooled her
self in that virtue for the last year as
carefully aY she had schooled the chill
dren under her care in their lessons in
grammar, geography, and so on. Most
women can be patient as long as the posi-
tive necessity exists, but when that is
removed forbearance ceases to be il
virtue.
Pauline was like the average woman
in this respect, and 1t was because her
patience was at last exhausted that she
was examining her features SO carefully.
No, they had not deteriorated in the least
in the last year; time had but served to
make her beauty more glowing, more
alluring. She had other proof besides
that given by her mirror; two men, both
prominent in the town and able to grant
her every desire, had begged for her
hand in marriage. Others, too, paid her
homage. But though she managed to
retain their friendship she refused their
offers of love. So it came to pass that
the people of the town called pauline
Carteret. the school mistress, cold. But
Pauline knew that they were wrong, she
and one other
Jack Hobart knew that Pauline was not
cold, knew that she could love with pas
sion which seems to vibrate in the air
of the languorous southland from which
she came. And he had reason for this
knowledge A year ago Pauline had
yielded to his entreaties and married him
secretly. He had not dared to marry her
openly because his grandfather, upon
whom he was dependent, had set his
heart upon his taking unto himself q
wealthy wife. But Pauline's beauty had
fascinated him, just as his care-free,
happy disposition, handsome looks and
charming manners had won her heart;
and so, against her better Judgment.
against her strong tendency to avoid all
forms Of deceit, she had at last given in
to his pleading.
They were married at an obscure lit
tie sea port and remained there for one
month"; month crowded to the last
hour with perfect bliss for both. Then
old Mr.. Hobart fell ill and Jack was
called to his bedside. A month later he
died and there was no obstacle in the
way OF an announcement of their union,
but Jack unaccountably delayed making
1t public and Pauline. who was an or
phan and had no one with whom she
could advise, was too proud to demand
what he seemed unwilling to offer. When
she came back at the beginning of the
school term he came at once to see her
and in the joy Of being with him again
she forgot, for the time, that he had not
insisted upon her resigning from the
school and taking her rightful position
in his home. Jack was of such pleas
ure-loving disposition that he disliked
giving up his bachelor freedom and the
fattering attentions bestowed upon him
by mothers with marriagable daughters
and those OF the girls of the town, with
whom he was great favorite; besides,
he argued. Pauline was safe, for she was
bound to him by the law of God and man.
He had no fear but that she would be
true to him and he told himself that he
would settle down after he had had his
fling. which his fortune now permitted.
In the meantime poor Pauline toiled
away at her teaching. resolutely refusing
the gifts and money which he would have
showered lavishly upon her.
She read his nature Alright, recognized
his sha1lowness and selfishness, but de-
spite 1t all she still loved him, although
she grew very Impatient She began to
go out more and received the attentions
OF other men and became SO CAV that
Jack grew jealous and forbade her anus
ing herself in that manner.
You do the same, ENSURE" she said,
laughing lightly. sand Eve never OBJ
jeoted. have II?
NO." he answered, slowly, mo. you
have not. But for you-well, it's DIFF
ferent. you know"
I fail to see the difference, !" said Paul
Inc, quietly, and abruptly babe him good
night. That was the night upon which
she had consulted her mirror and had
been assured that she had lost none of
the charms that had won her his love, and
she had turned away with the determine
ton to make one desperate throw for
happiness and If that failed to go away
where she would never see the man who
was her husband again. The next even-
ing she met him on the street and he
walked home with her.
Pauline" he said. abruptly. you are