Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-07-22
HER TWO PARTNERS,
Nv SPENCER TRoWBRlDGE.

Several married women were dis
cussing over their afternoon tea the
matter of choosing husband. Mrs.
Brown advocated giving way to love,
no matter how unpromising match
might be otherwise. Mrs. Tinker con-
adhered common sense the most desir-
able trait to look for in life partner.
Mrs. Evans declared that. after all that
had been said against marriages for
money, without 1t there could be no
comfort and without comfort love Is
short lived. Mrs. Twitchel declared
that no man could ever have won her
who was not fascinating conversa-
tionaist.
"Your remark, Mrs. Twitchell,' said
Mrs. Anderson, reminds me OF story
"a story in which / was the principal
actor When was eighteen went to
visit a schoolmate whose father was
very intimate with the superintendent
of an insane asylum. During my VISIT
q dance was given for the patients.
and we were all invited. None OF us
relished going, but my host was much
interested in the sufferers and insisted
on our doing our part.
"NIy first partner was so queer look
ing and had such restless, anxious
look in his eye that ! was AFRAID or
him. Every now and again he would
pause or stop short IN the dance TO
look ut some other mental wreck, ana
once | was dreadfully frightened for
fear he was going to attack dcmur'
little woman who Of all those present
looked the most tractable My partn"'
said very little to me, and when ! ad-
dressed q remark to him he barely an
severed me. He seemed preoccupled.
/ fancied that he considered every one
present his natural enemy and If es-
capped being strangled by him before
the dance was finished | would be for
tu,ate. was much relieved when the
music stopped.
MY second partner was very differ
ent. lie was about thirty-tve years
old and handsome as picture. shall
never forget the quiet. well poised look
IN his eyes. The matron introduced
him to Inc and as she did so whispered
something to me which ! understood
to be that he was an invited guest.
But If she had not 50 Informed me
should have been sure that he was or
perfectly sound mind. He made sew
eral remarks to me in the intermissionS
of the dance that caught my attention
at once, and longed to listen to his
conversation. Such Il man at such an
age Is Just the person to impress
Young girl who is naturally tattered
by any notice he deigns to bcstow
upon her. AS soon as the dance was
finished ! put my arm through his that
] should not lose him.
"ue talked delightfully."-. He was
graduate of an American, "A German
and an English university. He had
Travelled everywhere and had the fac
ulty Of mpartimg not only information
on sbstruSe topics, but of making one
seem to visit the places he had visited.
His fuvorite topic was biology. | re-
member his telling me that scientists
were getting every day nearer to
knowledge Of the source of life. and
ne surprised me by telling me that the
day would come when they would by
chemical substances and forces pro-
duce protoplaSm, the fundamental liv-
ing substance.
while we were chatting my first
partner passed us and gave my com
panion look which 6attercd myself
was due to jealousy ! had no mind
to be interrupted in my tete-a.tetc and
showed by apparent rapt attention
that was absorbed In what was be-
ing said to me.
MY partner after this. continuing
his remarks on the source Of life grew
animated. He made me feel that he
was Il superior being sent down frorl
heaven to demonstrate that our mortal
Fart is nothing more than chemical
combination to hold the soul during its
l"eDarntio for another existence.
NV enthusiasm waXcd with his. But.
though | was rapt in what he saiL
there was u dual current of thought
il my MIND. feeling Of how happy |
could he with. how proud OF, such
husband.
Again my first partner came near
u. and again | noticed that he was
wrought upon by jealousy. True. he
was Il lunati". but was mt an age to
BE- pleased even at the jealousy OF an
u"balancrd mind His insanity need
Fol necessarily Interfere with his
taatc At that moment my companion
save my arm Il clutch that caused III,
to #hrick with pain. shouting. i wiz
free your soul from your body and
Iut il back again" And from the look
IN his eye | knew that were he free
t. do so he would murder me.
u Ward sharp whistle. In mo-
risN Wr Er"t partner was hoIang my
G..c,.o.! and in II few seconds more he
wn. -a,ed and assisted by several
keepers The man admired was hus-
tied off Ike II fron. and the man did
net admire Hury!intena@d his removal.
WELL To end the story. II turned
ont that NY first partner was bril-
H. 1T Young doctor who as medical di-
rrrtGr of .hr asylum was studying
mental diseases Ny second was
lnnnlic Of no special education who
had picked up II Smattering of various
sciences Such was the Judgment of
II girl of mnrragrablc age between
two men as To which she would marry.
| have two daughters. and am deter
mined that neither of them shall mar
~ without my APPROVAL
your husband. ! believe said one
Of the auditors, lis the eminent brain
specialist. Was he your first part
ner?'
YES, and my partner for life"
AT your mothers suggestion"