Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1906-12-14


His suspicion of me started up from
its doze and rubbed its eyes. All!
You wish to insure yourself"
"Yes," was my answer, but not in
the way you hint. 1t takes away a
mans courage just when he needs it
most, to feel that his family is in
volved in his venture"
"Why do you not make the settle
ment direct?" he asked, partly reas-
sured.
Because | wish her to feel that 1t
is her own, that | have no right over
it whatever"
He thought about this. His eyes
were keen as he said, rs that your
real reason?' .'
saw | must be unreserved with
him. Part of it." | replied. tine
rest is-she would not take it from
me-" 3d..
The old man smiled cynically.
Have you tried!" he inquired.
IF had tried and failed, she would
have been on the alert for an indirect
attmpt."
TRY her, young man." said he,
laughing IN this day there are few
people anywhere who'd refuse any
sum from anybody for anything.
And woman and New
York woman-and a New York fash
ionable woman-and a daughter of
old Ellersly-she'll take it as a baby
takes the breast"
She would not take it," said |.
My tone, though | strove to keep
angry protest out Of it, because
needed him, caused him to draw back
instantly. Il beg your pardon, said
he. 81 forgot for the moment that |
was talking to man young enough
still to have youths decisions about
women. You'll learn that they're hui
man, that it's from them we men in
herit our weaknesses. However, let's
assume that she won't take it. Why
won't she take your money? What
is there about 1t that repels Ellersly's
daughter, brought up in the sewers
of fashionable New York-the sewers,
sir"
"She does not love me-" ! answered.
81 have hurt YOU" he said quickly,
in great distress at having compelled
me to expose my secret wound.
"The wound does not ache the
worse" said Y, ''for my showing 1T
to YOU" And that was the truth. |
looked over toward Dawn Hill whose
towers could Just be seen. I'VE live
there" / pointed. "She is-like a
guest in my house."
When l glanced at him again, his
face betrayed a feeling OF which |
doubt If any one had thought him ca
pable in many a year. Il see that you
love her," he said, gently as a mother.
YES" l replied. And presently |
went on: THE idea Of any one |
love being dependent on me in a
sordid way is most distasteful to me.
And since she does not love me, does
not even like me, it is doubly neces-
sary that she be independent"
81 confess do not quite follow you"
said he.
"'How can she accept anything from
me? If she should finally be COM
PEELED by necessity to do 1t, what hope
could have Of her ever feeling to-
ward me as a wife should feel to-
ward her husband?"
At this explanation of mine his eyes
sparkled with anger-and l could not
but suspect that he had at one time
In his life been faced with a problem
like mine, and had settled it the 9TH
er way. My suspicion was not weak
ened when he went on to say:
"Boyish motives again! They show
you do not know women. Don't be
deceived by their delicate exterior, by
their pretenses of superintendent.
They affect to be what passion de-
ludes US into thinking them. But
they're clay, sir, just clay, and far
less sensitive than we men. Don't
you see, young man, that by making
her independent you're throwing away
your best chance Of winning her?
Women are like dogs-like dogs, sir!
They lick the hand that feeds EN-
lick 1t, and like it"
Possibly" said I, with no dispo-
sition to combat views based on |
knew not what painful experience.
But don't care for that sort Of lik.
ing-from a woman, or from a dog"
TITS the only kind you'll get" re-
torted he. trying to control his az
itation. I'm an old man. know
human nature-that's why live alone.
You'll take that kind of liking, or do
without"
Then I'll do without" said |.
Give her an income, and she'll 90.
| see 1t all. You've fattered her van
ity by showing your love for her
that's the way with women. They 90
crazy about themselves, and forget
Ill about the man. Give her an in
come and she'll CO."
Il doubt It," said L. "And you
would. If you knew her. But, even so,
shall lose her in any event. For,
unless she is made independent, she'll
certainly 60 with the last Of the LII
tie money she has, the remnant Of q
small legacy"