Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-07-08

out oi Iuo way. Wueu returned
 home with my mission accomplished | the first remark my mother made ] after our greeting was: Harvey, !! wish you and Lottie were going ts
 marry little sooner.
 A note in her voice made me lool swiftly at her. and then, without { word. I was on my knees, my face 1T her lap and she was stroking m, head. T feel that I'm going to-te your father, dear" she said heard and thought realized but l did not. Who, feeling upor him the living hand of love, was ever able to imagine that hand other than alive? But her look of illness, of ut ter exhaustion-that I understood and suffered for. You must rest" said I; you must sit quiet and be waited on until you are strong again."
 Yes, will rest" she answered, "as soon as my boy is settled"
 That very day wrote Carlotta tell ing her about my mothers health and asking her to change the date of our wedding to the first week in August then just under a month away. She telegraphed me to come and talk it over.
 She was at the station in her phae. ton to meet me. We had not driven far before 1 felt and saw that she was intensely irritated against me. As I unburdened my mind of my anxi. cities about mother, she listened cold. ly. And I had to wait a long time before got her answer in a strained voice and with averted eyes: "Of course, I'm sorry your mother isn't well, but I can't get ready that soon."
 It was not her words that exasper- ated me; the lightning of speech from the storm-clouds of anger to clear the air. It was her expression.
 Never have known anyone who could concentrate into brows and eyes and chin and lips more of that sul- len and aggressive obstinacy which is the climax of provocativeness. Pa tience, in thought at least, with re- fusal has not been one of my virtues. This refusal of hers, this denial of happiness to one who had deserved so much and had received so little, set temper to working in me like a quick poison. But I was silent, not so much from prudence as from inabil- tty to find adequate words.
 T cant do it." repeated Carlotta, "and l won't" She made it clear that she meant the "won't"-that she was bent upon quarrel.
 But in my struggle to train those { stanchest of servants and maddest of masters, the passions, L had got at least far enough away to choose both the time and the ground of a quar- rel. So said: Very well, Car. lotta. Then, that is settled" And with an air sufficiently deceptive to pass muster before angry eyes, pro 'ceeded to talk of indifferent mat ters.
 As l sat beside her, my temper glowering in the straining leash, I revolted her conduct and tried to pug zle out its meaning. It is clear, thought I, that she does not care for me as people about to marry usually profess to care. Then, does she wish to break the engagement?
 That tanned my anger instantly.
 Yes, l thought on, she wishes to be free-to free me. And, as my com. bine is formed and my career we'll ad. vanced in the way to being estab- hshed, what reason is there for try ing to prevent her from freeing her self? None-for can easily explain the situation to mother Yes" I con- cluded. you can avoid a quarrel, can remain friends with Carlotta, can give and get freedom" What had changed her? I did not know; I did not waste time in puzzling; did not tempt fate by asking: You are poor, she is rich." l reminded myself. That makes 1t impossible for you to hesi- tate. You must give her no excuse for thinking you lack pride"
 Then I reasoned and planned, my temper back in it's old kennel and peaceful as a sheep. That evening I avoided being alone with her; just as l was debating how to announce that l must be leaving by the first train in the morning a telegram came from Roebuck calling me to Chicago at once. When we were all going to bed. said to Mrs. Ramsay: "I shall see you and Ed in the morning, but" to Carlotta-"you don't get up so early. I'll say good-by now':-this in the friendliest possible way.
 l was conscious of Mrs. Ramsay's look of wonder and anxiety; of Eds wild stare from Carlotta to me and back again at her. She bit her lip and her voice was unsteady as she said: "oh. no. Harvey. I'll be up." There was a certain meekness in her tone which would probably have de- lighted me had been what is usu- ally called "masterful"
 When l came down at seven o'clock after an unquiet night. Carlotta was lying in walt for me. took me into the parlor and shut the door. What do you mean?" she demanded. facing me with something of her vonted impe- riousness.
 AeanT said I. for once feeling no resentment at her manner.
 By leaving-this way" she en- plained. with impatience.
 You heard Mir. Roebuck's tele- Rram~ safd