Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-10-29
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THE COMPLICATIONS OF
THE CARLETONS
By Helene Hicks Bowen
Copyright, BY Daily Story Pub. Coz

Inc young man arose. Ills atutuds
had delicately stiffened.
Il think it was most unfair to mo,
you listening to the creature for =
moment"
why. Normie, it 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!
fineness."
Mrs. Carleton closed her little teeth
with vicious click.
II must beg that you will conduct
yourself with more dignity, more re.
gard for the fitness of things, If yen
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 a few final cues.
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,% 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 it 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.
quired. soicitously, after the wealth
er 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
that" and she flung a note across the
| table.
Il am sorry If anything / have said
has offended you, but it must be un-
derStoOd that as my wife | shall ex.
pect higher standard of conduct
from you than the average man de.
mands."
Mr.. Cartoons color rose furiously.
Why, the insulting brute! How does
ne dare; and to you. the sweet.
est"
At the lOnged for words of sympa.
thy Natalie broke into wild tears. Il
didn't know a man could be so hate.
full and horrid," she sobbed. 1T was
not my fault that poor, stupid John
Loring wanted Inc 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.
1t has made me proud. Why the fel
low must be fool. II he acts like
this before marriage, how will he treat
you afterwards, you poor, little
woman"
There will be no afterwards with
him. she stammered.
Mr.. Carleton gasped. Are you 60
ing to marry Loring?"
You must think | am crazy" cried
Natalie. with impotence.
But then, what will you"
Il shall live alone and get along as
best l can" she announced, with the
air Of martyr.
DO you hate me as much as that?"
Hate you! never knew how |
adored you until now. Oh, dearest
it has been awful here ever since you
left, so lonely, and nobody to say
clever, cynical things, or mix the salad
dressing"
Natalie! You don't mean that you
want me to come back"
Il know you won't do it. You love
the club and a lot of other women, and
do not count with you any more, and
don't deserve to, only"
my dear! Ny dear!" and in spite
Of his waist line Mr.. Carleton was on
his knees beside his wife, and her
face was hidden against his shoulder
You are just being nice like this
because you are sorry for me-" she