The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-12-26
A Milliner's Bill.
IOriginal.l

Donald" she said-she labored hard
to get it out-"we've been engaged
year. 1t isn't girls part to talk about
the wedding, but since you've said
nothing about it am forced to men,
ton it. You've never told me any
thing Of your affairs or the probable
time required for you to get them in
shape to warrant your being married.
Must remain always in the dark?"
do you think of marrying some one
else in case the waiting period is too
long?"
That's very unkind."
II see no other reason why you
should claim to know. II the affair is
matter Of business you certainly
have right to know how long you
will have to wait I supposed it was
an affair of the heart"
"Say no more about it," she replied.
There was a tremor on her lips, but he
didn't see it.
ITO satisfy you," he continued, II
would be obliged to make an exposi-
ton Of my affairs, an exposition you
would not understand. / have heard
that some men tell their wives all
Of that kind I think man had bet
ter keep such matters to himself"
Certainly, in case he marries a
doll"
"Or in case he marries, as 1 expect
to marry, a girl who has been brought
up to want for nothing"
"Then left to want for everything"
''That's the worst Of it. You were
educated to require good DEAL"
"In other words, my affairs are to
/, wait upon yours"
"You have no affairs. When I can
!, take care of you properly 1 will claim
you"
This was the last said on the subject
/ for some months. Then he called upon
her and, after chatting awhile upon
commonplace topics, said with great
I deliberations
| 81 have something of Importance to
communicate. l have reached d point
in my business have been striving to
reach for years. There is no reason
why we should not be married as soon
as you are ready"
81 cannot be married at present."
she replied.
"Why so?''
Because today I have signed con
| tract to work for a milliner for two
years"
| He looked at her in establishment.
"Why did you do thatY' he asked.
"My affairs required that l should
earn a living. have fancy for mil
J linery work, but l know nothing about
! it. l needed teacher. l could not
/ find one who would teach me for
nothing. | must pay for my schooling.
The first year shall be worth nothing.
The second l hope to be worth enough
/; to pay for my instruction during the
first
She spoke with such calmness and
resolution that he was frightened.
/ Lucia, sweetheart, what does this
mean!''
ut means that 1 am bound for two
years."
But no one would hold you to a
contract that has not begun to be car
ried out"
''The person who is to take me into
her employ has parted with woman
who was very valuable to her. She
has done this on my account"
"Why did you not tell me Of this
before it was done?"
DO you remember a conversation
between us lately in which strove to
get some information from you?''
'About the probable time of our mar
riage?'
'Ies. You told me that it would
depend on your affairs and you pro.
posed to keep your affairs to yourself.
Father used to say that in law a con-
tract to be. binding must be binding
on both sides. You have kept your
affairs to yourself; so have l."
'And do you mean to tell me that we
cannot be married for two years?'
eve shall not be married for two
years for the very good reason that
married woman needs to give her
time to her home. could not do that
and give my time to my employer"
Had l known that you were in need
| would have been glad to relieve your
necessities
! you could only do SO as my hus
band
Your affairs
You said had no affairs"
He had been gradually breaking
down from the beginning Of this con-
versation. He had prided himself on
his stoicism. The waiting to be mar,
ried had been harder for him to bear
than 1t had been for the girl he was
to marry, and now when he had all
but reached the goal it was to be put
off for two long years. He pleaded with
her, only to go away at last assured
that she would keep her contract.
This was Friday. She was to begin
work on the following Monday. On
Sunday evening he called upon her and
handed her the contract that stood
between him and a marriage in the