The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1909-12-02

hi. LOtlus. ne Is the most prACuC9l
creature. He was too ridiculous yes
terday. had to explain to him
about the separation, and he tried "a
convince me that might much better
marry him. He actually told me the
exact amount OF his income and what
allowance he would make me-"
The young man arose. His attituds
had delicately stiffened.
Il think II was most unfair 10 me,
you listening to the creature for q
moment"
why. Normie. II was all too com.
ical He was funny. You have no
more sense Of humor than he has II
you take the matter seriously"
"A perception OF humor Is one Of
the lowest attributes, seldom pos.
sessed by person of any intellectual
finsness."
Mrs. Carleton closed her little teeth
with vicious click.
Il must beg that you will conduct
yourself with more dignity. more re-
gard for the fitness of things, IL you
expect to become my wife" He was
working himself into rage.
Mrs. Cartoons eyes flashed. but her
voice was quiet. as she replied NAT.
urally a woman OF much delicacy
would not consent to go through the
unpleasantness of a divorce for the
sake OF anyone, Neither should |
ever have encouraged your attentions,
had ! possessed the smallest scrap OF
respect for the conventions. Now /
wish YOU would Co."
Another week passed by, and Mr..
Carleton went to his old home for
the last time. He was to lunch with
Natalie and settle few final ques.
tons. The divorce would be granted
within a few days. and then all the
fuss and bother would be over. and
his wife would be free to go to the
arms of another man. Mr.. Carleton
sighed as he glanced around the IA
miliar little reception room. "Ah,
well" he thought, such is life."
Mr.. Carleton had been living at |
his club for some months, and vague. |
ly wondered how he should ever be |
able to stand 1t all the remainder of |
his existence for Of course he should
never marry again. He had been mad.
ly infatuated with Natalie, but now he
was beyond the age of infatuation.
Natalie had become habit with him,
but he knew any other woman, no
matter how charming, would be a
bore.
He thought he had never seen Nata.
lie look sweeter than when he faced
her across the coy table. She was
rather subdued, though. He was glad
she did not indulge In one of her mis-.
chievous moods; that would have
Jared upon his feeling of gentle mel.
ancholy.
Aren't you little pale?" he In.
luired, solicitously, after the wealth.
sr had been disposed of.
Natalie pensively sighed.
1T does seem good to have
somebody notice whether | am pale or
not"
But surely Norman"
Norman and have quarreled. Read
-hat!' and she flung note across the
table.
Il am sorry If anything | have said
has offended you, but it must be I'm.
1erstood that as my wife | shall ex.
pect a higher standard of conduct
rom you than the average man de-
mands."
Mr.. Cartoons color rose furiously.
Why, the insulting brute! How does
he dare; and to you. the sweet
est"
At the longed for words of sympa.
thy Natalie broke into wild tears. 81
iidn't know a man could be so hate.
'ul and horrid," she sobbed. 1T was
not my fault that poor, stupid John
Loring wanted me to marry him."
Somehow Mr.. Carleton was at her
side, gently stroking her hair. "Of
course it was not your fault. Why
shouldn't every man who sees you
want you? I've always known that.
It has made me proud. Why the fel
low must be a fool. II he acts like
his before marriage, how will he treat
you afterwards, you poor, little
There will be no Afterwards with
him." she stammered.
Mr.. Carleton gasped. Are you 70.
ng to marry Loring" II
you must think am crazy" cried
Natalie, with impotence.
But, then, what will you"
Il shall live alone and get along an
best ! can" she announced, with the
lir Of q martyr.
do you hate me a. much az thatr'
Hate you! l never knew how II
ldored yop until now. Oh, dearest
{ has been awful here ever since you
eft 30 lonely. and nobody to say
'levsr, cynical things, or mix the salad
"Nataliel You don't mean that you
rant me to come backf
7 know you won't do It. You love
he club and lot Of other women. and
do not count with you any more, ana |
don't deserve to. only
MY dear! Ny dear!" ana IN spits