The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-03
A MANS EQUAL
BY LOUIS oLNEy.

Copyright 1910 by Associated Literary Press
forgotten by them Elaine bent her fair head over
her dainty bit of sewing and listened unneedngy
soon be reality He would be home any day, sur
prsng her as on all his college vacations save ,nas
the law school and they would be married They mao
been planning it for five years-snoe she was elgh-
1t had been a long wait. and she had felt uneom-
their mothers death, did not approve Jerrys choice
Now at the little neighborhood sewing that repre-
forth, but where gossip theoretically tabooed
Anne was holding forth to the rest The talk had
saying in her sententious manner
Well college does change man! And believe
mans wife should his equal If she's to take nay
comfort herself or be anything but drag on him.
misery Don Martin got engaged to her before he
went away to school merely because he was Idle and
she pretty and always about Then; while ne
studied four years she sat at home and read his
letters and embroidered doies, she simply lived
pendent thought Of her own or read b, book that
marry her. and that was all You know. well /.
finally everybody but her saw that he had out
But she wouldn't, though Mark Towne VINO had re-
own level, was wild to get her. She would marry
Don. and she did. Now-he's Indifferent and she Is
who think and need mental companionship, thing
and s sesh s devotion now the youth is slipping
and what is left? Her needle pricked back and
But surely" defended the minister's wife gently.
and remembering Elaine and tender young SEN
companionship Mary's but instance
Many want the simple sweethearts of their boy
hood, the girls who have always known and under
stood them. They can get intellectual stimulus from
men friends and other women From wife they
want which the intellectual woman cannot always
give"
ceptions occur. But maintain that most men find
small interest In the girls they leave behind them
They may marry them, IL they have promised to- hut
it will be. generally. because the girl has not the
that his interest has wandered and that
he would be glad OF his freedom II he knew how to
get 1t without seeming like a scoundrel to himself
and the home town. I'm sure / could tell whether a
man really wanted to marry me or not and would
at least give him chance
Just then a new arrival and a slencing gesture of
the minister's wife toward Elaine whose cneek had
gone white. put end to the talk. But II nad been
wantony cruel. and the others firmly believed that
Anne had done II purposely. They knew her ambi-
Jerry her brilliant brother and the interest
In him. The town had thought he would tilt Elaine
and marry Alma Terris and the town had said
Now Elaine folded her work and slipped out into
the June sweetness of the late afternoon. new
thought tearing at her heart. Would Jerry like to
have his freedom? Had he cared for Alma Terriss?
She had not been jealous OF the young artist who
had visited the Terhunes the summer rerore. The air
was full OF brd-song and bloom. but the ache
at her heart hid these things And he might
anytime. tonight even.
She had waited with sort of rapture for him.
for the final arrangements for the wedding. But now
we'll. she could not go home. Half unconseiously she
went the hill. taking the little path that led to
girl love- She must think 1t out. A sort OF agony
folded in upon her she remembered that Of late
past with very OF life now his thoughts Had
he tired OF her? II she tried break the engage
ment would he let her? Would she have the courage
from his meek Elaine! Then, with sudden decision,
her pride in She would do &c II Il killed
herhe would have the chance of freedoms She would