The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-03-14
When Love Was a Schemer
BY Jenny M. Chenery


ITS a great disappointment to US
all, Louise. but ! suppose arguing is
useless A headstrong girl will take
no advice"
Now, mother. that's very unkind.
I'm sure that one ought not to be
scolded for listening to the dictates of
conscience" responded laughing
voice.
nce-fiddlesticks!" retorted
Mrs. Allison sharply. "It's only be.
cause your head is filled with these
new-fangled notions about the indie.
pendence of woman and the tyranny
OF man, and such rubbish. Two or
| three years ago you were glad enough
to consider yourself engaged to the
most likely young fellow in the coun.
, ty,' and she gave disdainful sniff
Well what could be expected OF
girl of seventeen" demanded Louise,
little dehantly. Since then a
| college education has altered my
views of life; marriage does not
seem so inevitable and necessary
as 1t did. in those days. Why
| should a woman surrender her liberty
and her ambitions to become the vic
tim of a mans caprice. perhaps i'll
| temper, when out in the busy world
there are countless opportunities for
her to carve her own way in life?"
When | was young" Mrs. Allison
retorted with scornful dignity, girls
married for love, and were proud and
happy to help along all they could TO
make home comfortable. They didn't
have time to hunt for tyranny. Your
father and ! never had chance to get
an education and I've always said that
you should have every advantage we
could afford. but If a college course
has only given you these foolish ideas
I'm sorry you ever went away from
home"
81 think you are very unjust. moth
err" cried the girl Indignantly, when
| only desire to make the most of my
life. Before went to college / did
consider myself bound by the engage
ment which you and Mrs. Whitney
planned when Neil and | were chill.
dren, but now it is very different.
When his lordship came home this
summer-a full-fedged lawyer-he
conceitedly imagined that would i'm.
mediately fall into his arms, and he is
not inclined to accept his dismissal at
all gracefully. but have plainly told
him that love and marriage have no
interest for me-"
Neil is not conceited" responded
Mrs. Allison. but l suppose he never
dreamed of doubling your constancy.
Il believe Neil is coming now" she
continued anXiously. do treat him
with common politeness, anyway; he
deserves that much" and she hurried
ly retreated.
He was good looking fellow, with
, earnest, dark brown eyes and low
able mouth, but Louise was proof
against such superficial attractions
: and she greeted him with studied dig
nifty.
I've come for my final answer.
Louise, dear" he said gently. Forgive
me If | seem abrupt but-well,
couldn't stand the suspense"
You seem to ignore the fact that |
gave You my decision several days
ago." rejoined the girl stiffly, You
are very unreasonable to refuse to
take a denial" and she frowned a
little.
Perhaps | am" he assented, with
!, passionate eagerness, but Louise,
cant give up so easily. You must
surely understand how | feel For
years l have dreamed of you and of
the happy life before us. and now
you crush my hopes as coolly as you
would destroy a cobweb."
81 am so sorry that You think me
merely heartless,' she answered slow,
ly. 81 only claim the risht--which
surely is every woman's heritage-to
live my life in my own way. Why
should surrender my freedom all the
joys OF an independent career, for the
lower level of mere housekeeper?
There are plenty of girls without am
bition; choose one of them"
She spoke decisively. but there was
a strange pain at her heart as Neil
arose and looked down upon her with
grave, sad face.
IF you feel like that about mar.
riage, Louise" he said quietly. then
you are right in saying that you are
, ignorant of the meaning Of love"
He hesitated moment. then add.
ed Il almost forgot that Grace wants
you to come over this afternoon and
stay to tea. My friend Bob Gordon
came down this morning"
Louise meditated moment, then
shook her head I'm awfully sorry
Neil, but | can't go. Father and moth.
er are going to the city, the girl is out
for holiday. and | must stay at home
Besides am preparing a paper for
The Universe and must finish II to-
day"
As the young man walked home
plunged in gloomy reflections. sud
den idea flashed through his mind and
he hurried homeward with feyerish
haste, pondering eXcitedly on the Wild
plan which had taken root in his I'M.