The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-08-02
Copyright, 1908. by the National Press
Agency

/.
lie was on ladder, training UP a
Toncysucllc which had been planted
with such loving care near tho arbor
his young wife had begged him to make
for her, when he heard voices APPROACH
ing down the sidewalk.
1t was impossible for him to see who
the speakers were. because he was at
the other side OF the arbor, but 1t was
easy to distinguish his wife's voice.
Happy? No, I'm not happy, though
] pretend to be-" she was saying. ut
was cruel of mother to make me marry
for position and home when my
heart was not In It,"
Jack dropped his ham4er. which fell
noisclessly on the soft soil. aud the
color left his face quite suddenly, while
he felt throb of real physical pain
at his heart. lilo COULD not speak. for
his lips held three or four nails at the
moment. and he felt powerless TO move;
so that there WAS no escape for him
from his position as cuvcsdroppcr.
He was too dazed, however, to dis
tinguish the next words. but the re-
Spouse OF the dcarly-ioved voice smote
Kim cruelty.
II am so young" she was saying.
"only just nineteen: and between them
they have showed me into a tight place
for life. Think OF the years--thc long
fears--that / shall nave to live side
by side and In tho most intimate rcla-
tons with such commonplace, mar
row minded man as my husbaHd!
There Will be no escape--no escape
FOR me! oh. Minnie. sometimes think
1t WILL drive me Wild There was real
anguish now in tho young wifes voice.
Jack ccnciicd his hands. and hung
his head In agony. Something seemed
10 have snapped within him; he could
not reveal himself now IL he would.
Again he lost the response made by
his wifc's friend.
Look at that arbor," the cruel tones
went on. "fIe was nearly week
building II, and he thinks 1T Will give
me pleasure to sit there. Pleasure!
While he was making 1t / had TO
thank him and pretend that II would
be delightful. but 10 myself I WIGS
thinking. i shall sit there prisoner
for years and years, bound by the
bonds of matrimony, and broodlng con-
tInuaIly over my duh. unhappy fate
The arbor! He had taken such pride
In making il for her.! you will sit
here little queen" lie had said Sur
den and the comfortable house be-
vond. which is our home: and often
YOU will sec your husband working In
the garden. or about the house. to
make things nice for YOU" And she
had kissed and thanked him.
You must make the best OF H." the
friend said by and by there will be
children TO comfort YOU.
"childreni" The young wife's voice
expressed even mora anguish. Little
duplicates OF Jack She laughed mock
1ngly. with his prim features and
coal-black hair. Oh. they would drive
me Mid 1T would be Jack. Jack
everywhere,
"it must be Jack. Jack. nowhere.
said the man in his heart, with de.
SPAR.
Perhaps they will be like you,
suggested Minnie.
God forbid. For then they would
have passionate. ambitious hearts Tx,
mine. and the Jack part OF the famil,
would crush and hurt them"
You are overweight. You shoult
not give way to these pcssimistic feel
ines''
IT is a relief To speak OF them tc
you. for to no one else dare / do IT.
My mother simply won't listen: and Il
Jack have to pretend and act unit
my whole life is one big .decentlcn."
Don't look TOO far ahead" coun.
feled the friend. Take each day a.
II comes, and leave the rest Jack ma,
not be alwnvs there-aome acclden
might happen--he might die.
Not likclv." his wife laughed bit
terly. Those who are not wanted liv,