Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-02
i2Rsl57s757575752s2s2RI
i An Old Coat. E
ESSTSSRRS2RR5r'

"
gEE51ses7s7Ts7s7515rs
Stephen Brit and Mary, his wife,
had fallen out, not by any means for
the first time. Both were young, hot
tempered, high spirited and prone to
jealousy.
Today matters had come to eli
max. The two young people, white,
angry, with blazing eyes, stood facing
one another. 1t did not make matters
any better that they spoke slowly and
deliberately.
Pm tired of these scenes" Mary
said, sick to death of them. can't
60 out, can't talk to an old friend,
but what you accuse me Of flirting. l
can't spend a day with a girl chum
but what you say neglect you.
can't"
'You never spend day with me;
you haven't given me a whole day
since we returned from our honey
moon. might be the greatest
stranger instead of your husband OF
six months for all the notice you take
Of me. You're cold as an icicle, and
Indifferent as-as-"
You are! l shape my course en-
Hrely in accordance with yours. II
we do go out together you are never
BY my side from the time we enter
= house to the time we leave 1t. You
can laugh and talk with other wom-
en-; you never have joke to tell me,
or smile for me. We never ought
to have married; I'm sorry, heartily
sorry, we ever did"
His hand, resting on the back Of
chair, gripped it tightly.
You mean that?" he said, his tone
changing, his expression hardening;
you really mean it?'
Her clasped hands gripped one an
other.
so much so that mean to do what
I can to rectify our mistake. We
can't live in peace together. l have
tried; daresay-I do you that much
Justice have tried; 1t seems i'm
possible. That being so"-her voice
was level, hard, though her heart was
beating in loud thumps, "the best
think we can do is to part. Forum
ately nave my own income. l only
have to leave this house and make a
home for myself elsewhere"
Her words startled, staggered him.
He made step forward, caught her
hands.
''You mean that?" he asked again.
'sYou are serious?"
Il never was more serious in my
life."
"You would leave me?'
This is your house. Since 1t is
best we should part, must leave
you.'
did you never love me?" She tried
to draw her hands from his, but fail
cd; ne held them closely clasped,
waiting for her answer.
Perhaps we were both too young to
understand what love should be-" she
answered. Perhaps we took mutual
admiration for deeper feeling. Any
way'-she felt fear tightening
round her heart as she spoke-''it is
quite clear the love has waned. Any.
thing is better than being together,
with constant scenes. 1t will be wiser
to part"
He tried to draw her to him; she
held away.
Il will not let you go!" he said
you are mine-my wife-I love you.
II ! have seemed Indifferent, tit
mas been only this-a man expects
MS wife to know he loves her, not to
need telling day after day; that is
lovers business. Mary, If we have
made mistakes surely we can nut
them right; if we have disappointed
one another-and you, | must confess.
have disappointed me-cant we be-
GIN all over again, wipe out the last
six months?"
Her face softened for minute;
now once more it hardened. So she
had disappointed him-she who had
done everything she could to make
him happy-while he
have no wish to begin again."
she answered we have tried to be
happy, suppose; we have been mis-
cradle /. you say, have disappointed
you; you have disappointed me.
would rather not talk any more.
VIII tell the servants am going on
journey. l don't want to make
things disagreeable for you. And
shall go today"
He dropped her hands; he looked
at her for moment-at her white,
set face. her eyes that did not soften
In the least as his glance met hers.
{ Then proud, boyish rage entered
his heart. If she could go, IL she
could leave him, then, indeed, she
did not, never had loved him.
You will please yourself, of
course" he answered. "but whether
you remain with me or leave me you
are still my wite--you are still bound
to me; be good enough not to forget
that
He scarcely saw his way as he
crossed the room and left her-left
her with q. great anger in his heart
against her.
She never loved me-" he said to
himself, never, never; let her got"
He found his way to his study, sat
down, staring blankly before him for
a while. and scattering his papers
heedlessly on the floor. Then his
head dropped upon his hands, and his
eyes were wet.
AS the door closed after him Mary
tremhled So no had ,coontoa a.
situation! Then. indeed, he did not
love her. She had expected plead
Ing protestations; she had meant to
forgive him; she had thought, indeed,
they might begin again.
He never loved me-" she said to
herself. Il did not mean to leave
him. shall go now; l owe 1t to
my pride to go now"
She dragged her steps to her room;