Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1906-11-16
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came an outline IN the deep shadow.
In another mood that might have an.
gered me. Just then it hurt me SC
deeply that to remember it to-day IS
to feel faint ache in the scar of the
long-healed wound. My face was not
hidden as was hers; so, perhaps, she
saw. At any rate, her voice tried to
be friendly as she said: Well
have crossed the Rubicon. And don't
regret. 1t was silly Of me to cry. /
thought had been through so much
that | was beyond such weakness. But
you will find me calm from now Oh
and reasonable"
Not too reasonable, please" said
. |, with an attempt at her lightness.
. "a reasonable woman is as trying as
an unreasonable man."
But we are going to be sensible
with each other" she urged, like two
friends. Aren't WEI"
We are going to be what we are
going to be-" said I. We'll have tc
take life as it comes"
That clumsy reminder set her to
thinking, stirred her vague uneasiness
in those strange circumstances to &C
tive alarm. For presently she said,
in a tone that was not so matter-of.
course as she had tried to make it.:
We'll go now to my Uncle Franks.
He's brother Of my fathers. l al
ways used to like him best-and still
do. But he married woman mamma
thought-queer. They hadn't much,
so he lives away up on the West Side
One Hundred and Twenty-seventh
street
The wise plan, the only wise plan, n
said !, not SO calm as she must have
thought me, lis to go to my partners
house and send for a minister"
Not tonight" she replied nervous.
~. Take me to Uncle Franks, and
tomorrow we can discuss what to do
and how to do it."
Tonight" l persisted. I'VE mus,
be married tonight. No more uncer
tainty and indecision and weakness
Let US begin bravely, Anita"
Tomorrow" she said. But not to
night. l must think it over"
Tonight" repeated. Tomorrow
will be full Of its own problems. This
Is to-night's."
She shook her head, and saw thai
the struggle between us had begun
the struggle against her timidity ant
conventionality. mo, not tonight
This in her tone for finality.
To argue with any woman In sucl
circumstances would be dangerous; t.
argue with her would have been fatal
To reason with woman is to flatte
her into suspecting you of weakness
and herself Of strength. | told tn,
chauffeur to turn about and 20 slowly
up town. She settled back into he
corner OF the brougham. Neither o
US spoke until we were passin,
Grants tomb. Then she started on
OF her secure confidence in my obed
fence, and exclaimed: This is no
the way" And her voice had in 1
the hasty call-to-arms.
NO" l replied, determined to pus
the panic into rout. "As | told yoy
our future shall be settled tonight.
That In my tone for finality.
A pause, then: 1T has been Sc
tied" she said, like child that feel
yet denies, its impotence as 1t stru,
giles In the compelling arms Of II
: father. Il thought until a few mil
utes ago that I really intended |
marry you. Now I see that l didn't
"Anther reason why we're not goin
to your uncle's," said I.
She leaned forward so that I coul
t zee her face. Il can not marry you
she said. Il feel humble toward 20
: for having misled you But 1t is be
ter that you-and I-should ha,
g found out now than too late"
( 1T Is too late-too late to 20 back
8 Would you wish to marry a WON;
e who does not love you, who low
C some one else, and who tells you
v and refuses to marry your She h;
b tried to concentrate enough scorn in
a her voice to hide her fear.
e Il would" said l. "And | shall. |
It not desert you. Anita, when your co,
= age and strength shall fail W
d carry you on to safety"
le Il tell you l can not marry 70,
D. she cried, between appeal and 90
e mand. There are reasonsl m
Is not tell you. But if I might, y
would-would take me to my uncle
10 can not marry you!"
le THAT is what conventonality bi
to you say now" replied. And Their
ut gathered myself together and in
tone that made me hate myself q.
In heard It. l added slowly. each VIC
to sharp and distinct: But what "
" conventionality bid you say to-morr,
ID morning, as We drive down crowd
Fifth avenue. after q night in 4
" brougham!"
>" l could not see her, for she fell bs
's' into the darkness as sharply as |.
IN had struck her with all my force I
on in the face. But l could feel the
~ feet Of my words upon her.
NV Full fifteen minutes Of that frig
80 full silence before she said: Il '
' go where you wish And she said
We in a tone that makes me vince a,
lSA recall it