The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1907-05-24
CHAPTER VI.
Mics Ramsay RevoIts.

yours? You ought to get 1t over and
out of the way" When ] returned
home with my mission accomplished.
the first remark my mother made
after our greeting was: Harvey, |
wish you and Lottie were going TO
marry little sooner.
A note in her voice made me look
swiftly at her, and then, without a
word, was on my knees. my face in
her lap and she was stroklng my
head 81 feel that I'm going TOTO
your father. DEAR" she said.
heard and / thought realized;
but | did not Who. feeling upon
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 | understood and
suffered for. "You must rest" said /;
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 II
over
She was At the station in her phae-
ton 10 meet me. We had not driven
far before felt and saw that she
was intensely irritated against me AS
/ unburdened my mind Of my anxi.
eties about mother. she listened cold.
ly. And / had 10 wait 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 can't get ready that
soon"
II was not her words that exasper-
ated me; the lightning Of speech from
the stormclouds OF anger 20 clear the
air II was her expression.
Never have known anyone who
could concentrate into brows and eyes
and chin and lips more OF that sui.
len and aggressive obstinacy which is
the climax OF proyocatiyeness Pa.
thence. In thought az least. with re-
fusal has not been one OF my virtues.
This refusal OF hers. this denial OF
happiness 10 one who had deserved 40
much and had received 80 little. set
temper TO working In me like a quick
poison. But | was silent. not 80
much from prudence as from inabll.
ity TO find adequate words
Il cant do H." repeated Carlotta.
"and / won't" She made II clear
that she meant the "wont"-that she
was bent upon a quarrel.
But In my struggle 10 train those
stanchest OF servants and maddest Of
masters. the passions. had got AZ
least far enough away TO choose both
the time and the ground OF 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 20 talk OF Indifferent mat
tiers
As sat beside her. my temper
glowcring In the straining leash. I
revolted her conduct and tried TO pun
ale out It's meaning. II Is clear.
thought I. that she does not care for
me as people about to marry usually
profess 10 care. Then. does she wish
to break the engagement
That tanned my anger instantly.
Yes. thought on. she wishes TO be
free-to free me And. AZ my com.
bine IL formed and my career well nd.
vanced In the way 20 being estab-
lishcd. what reason IL there for try
ing 10 prevent her from freeing her.
self! None-for can easily explain
the situation 10 mother. Yes" I con.
cluded. you can avoid a quarrel. can
remain friends with carlotta. can give
and get freedom" What had changed
herr ! did not know: DID not waste
time In puErling: did not tempt fate
by asking: You are poor. she Ia
rich" reminded myself THAT
makes Il impossible for you 10 hest
tate. You must give her no ereuse
W tataaiut you taEh pfluts
Then I reasoned and planned. my
temper back IN its old kennel and
peaceful a. q sheep. That evening
avoided being alone with her: Just
ne vas debating how 10 announce
that ! must DO leaving by the nrs,
train In the morning q telegram came
from Roebuct calling me 10 Chicago
AZ once. When Ne were all going "a
bed. ! said 10 Mrs. Ramsay: Il shall
so you and I'd In the morning. but
20 Carlotta-''you don't get up q
early. III say good-by now--,hls IA
the friendiiest possible way.
] was conscious OF Mrs. Ramsay,
look OF wonder and anxiety: OF Ed'i
Wild stare from cariotta 10 me anC
back again Al her. She BIT her ~
and her voice was unsteady an sh.
said; "oh. no. Harvey. ri hs up
There was a certain meekness In he,
tone which would probably have dc
lighted mo had I been what 10 usu
ally called "masterful"
When came down at seven o'cioc,
after an unquiet night. cariotta val
lying In walt for me. took me into IN.
parior and shut the door. what a,