Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-05-25

far before ! felt and saw that she
was intensely irritated against me AS
unburdened my mind Of my anxi-
cites about mother. she listened cold
ly. And J had 10 wait long time
before ] got. her answer in strained
voice and with ayerted eyes "Of
course, I'm sorry your mother isn't
well, but can't get ready that
soon"
1t was not her words that exasper-
ated me; the lightning Of speech from
the storm-clouds OF anger TO 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 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 quick
poison. But was silent not so
much from prudence as from inabil-
ity to find adequate words.
i can't do it." repeated Carlotta,
and ! won't" She made il 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, | had got at
least far enough away to choose both
the time and the ground of quar-
rel. So ! said: Very we'll 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 sat beside her. my temper
glowering In the straining leash, /
revolted her conduct and tried to pug
zle out its meaning 1t is clear,
thought /, 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, | thought on, she wishes to be
free-to free me- And, as my com
bine is formed and my career well ad-
vanced in the way to being estab-
l1shed, what reason is there for try
ing to prevent her from freeing her.
self? None-for | can easily explain
the situation to mother Yes" | con-
Guided, you can avoid a quarrel. can
remain friends with Carlotta, can give
Onf
her? ! did not know: did not waste
time in puzzling: ] did not tempt fate
by asking: You are poor. she "a
rich" / reminded myself. THAT
makes 1t impossible for you to heal
tate. You must give her no excuse
for thinking you lack pride"
Then | reasoned and planned, my
temper back in its old kennel and
peaceful as sheep. That evening
avoided being alone with her: just
as | was debating how to announce
that ! 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, l said to Mrs. Ramsay: Il shall
SNNs ~" anu ASu III Tic uiOfHlHg, DuJ--
to Carlotta-"you don't get up so
early. III say good-by now"--this in
the friendliest possible way
] 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 LID
and her voice was unsteady as she
said: "Oh, no, Harvey. I'll be up."
There was certain meekness in her
tone which would probably have de-
lighted me had l been what is usu-
ally called "masterful"
When ! came down at seven O'Clock
after an unQuiet night, Carlotta was
lying in wait for me, took me into the
parlor and shut the door. What do
you mean?" she demanded facing me
with something of her wonted impe-
riousness
Mean" said l, for once feeling no
resentment at her manner
by leaving-this way" she ex-
planned, with Impotence.
you heard Mr. Roebuck's tele-
gram" said l.
You are angry with me" she per-
sisted
No. Carlotta," said /. Il was, but