The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-09-24
Women Love

The Rev. Carl Boyce had given
Marcia a month in which to decide.
He had pleaded for her love quite i'm
passionately, bridging the great gulf
which stretched between his life and
hers with a studied avowal Of his own
faith in her.
The elements which formed her life
had been cast from his as mere super
fetal things; he dwelt in an atmos-
phere of impossible ideals and she
realized that he would not be content
with half-hearted surrender.
She faced the month in which he
had given her to decide with a little
element Of rebellion battling against
her great love for him. She had al
lowed the strength of his personality
to dominate her, but her heart still
remained joyous in the round Of daily
sacrifice, for as yet he had demanded
but minor concessions, little things
which it gave her pleasure to con-
cede. She was still filed with an
eager wonderment at his love for her.
Their lives had seemed so far apart
as If belonging to different worlds,
when suddenly by glance mingled
with the suggestive warmth in his
tone he had brought them together,
compelling her love, even against her
judgment.
She stood awaiting him with a
tremulous happiness, but the smile
in her eyes died as he noted the grave
displeasure in his. His gaze fell from
ltb
disapproval upon her gown.
She interpreted his glance in an in
stant.
"You do not like my dress?" she
asked softly.
A smile flashed in his eyes as he an.
swered thoughtfully: Something
soft and plain would suit you better"
II will remember" she replied SIM
ply.
The frown still fingered upon his
face. He picked up her latest book
from the table and fingered the leaves
with a slow precision.
II cannot approve of a woman
writing such books, as these, Marcia"
he said at last. The words cost him
an effort and she knew that he had
counted their cost before he spoke.
She drew a sharp breath. 1t had been
this which she had feared more than
anything else, that her writing, the
thing which had hitherto been the
essence of her life, must be placed in
the balance against her love for him.
She looked up at him with appealing
eyes.
What is it in them which you can
not approve?" she demanded little
tremulously.
Nothing in particular" he admit
ted gravely. "But, Marcia, there will
not be time for it, not in the life l am
asking you to take by my side."
81 understand" she said. Let us
not speak of it further" If he in
tended to make a grave of this one
poor talent of hers, she at least would
not allow it to be trampled upon.
She had mentioned the name Of
Molly Enwright. His lips compressed
themselves in a straight, firm line.
"She is not exactly a proper COM
panion for you," he admonished.
"She is my best friend" flashed
out Marcia with tinge Of resentment.
"She Is a dear, sweet girl. We have
known each other since childhood"
"But, dear, she is of the world you
are leaving behind. There is also no
room for such friendship as this in
the life / am planning for you"
Marcia steadied herself and bent
her head. The retort which sprang
to her lips sank with the tumult Of
her revolt and emerged into the
greatness of her love.
"In a few days, Marcia" he remind
ed her gently, 81 am to ask your de-
cision. But before that feel that
you should know my plans. In
short time am going to the western
coast of Africa. l need you, dear, your
love and the sustenance Of your sweet
| womanliness, but if I ask too great
thing of you do not hesitate to tell
me-
Marcia's face grew pale as he spoke
and her hands pressed themselves
tightly upon his arm.
ITO Africa!" she gasped. you
ask me to go there with you? You
would sacrifice us both-for that?"
He drew his arm from the appeal
of her touch and they stood apart.
"I am going" he answered stead
lily. "It is for you to decide whether
I go alone"
She remained stunned and impo-
tent and the door closed between
them. She sat with her head bent for
a long time. Then she arose to her
feet, her face pale and drawn in the
bright light. Her eyes flashed about
the luxurious splendor of the room
and wandered to her own brilliant re-
Election in the mirror. Her hands
smoothed the silken folds OF her
evening gown lovingly. She picked
up one Of her books from the table
and her eyes caressed its leaves. How
much 1t all had meant to her! 1t had
been her whole life. How happy she
and Molly had been together! How