The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1910-07-28
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A Woman Passet Two tsistesces
In One Housc
BY EDITH v ROSS
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association
by EDITH v ROSS

when we were both so young that nei'
ther OF us could remember a time
when II did not exist His fathers
place was but short distance from
ours. Indeed. the rear line marked the
limits of both places, On one side Of
this line was the playground OF the
several children, boys and girls in
Guiding Edward and myself, who lived
In the nelghborhood | can remember
as far back as when was seven years
old and Edward nlne that In playing
keep house be and always played the
part OF husband and wife, There was
swing on this playground. and Ed
wards father put up articles for a
boys gymnasium A little house four
or Ave feet high was built for us girls
and furnished with toy furniture, Al
times we would leave our dolls there
all night, first putting them TO bed,
When | grew taller ! could not un'
derstand how ! could have stood up.
right In that little house, And what
seemed more remarkable to me was
that Edward could have done so, Tor
he was always large child. And !
remember that when he had been
away 10 school for long while and
came back he was taller than the
house
BY this time we were growing out
OF childhood into that intermediate
period when, though boys aud girls
may feel love, they are not likely TO
express It. II is a period Of transition
from child love to real love The boy
mind is taken up with athletic sports,
while the girl hides her secret almost
from herself. Indeed, so nebulous Is
this period that In my own case II u
difficult for me TO recall my exact feel
ings. remember them family and as
existing at intervals. They were rath'
er small portion of my girls ex'
istence than the whole OF II.
When was sixteen | was awakened
to the true condition by the marked
preference displayed by another CIR
for my Edward. From that time my
love became the principal instead OF
minor part In my life. ! failed to con
ceal my jealousy from him. and this
brought out his own consciousness o'
what was between MS. There was nc
formal declaration, no conventions
giving OF the hand, not even the low
ers kiss. He merely said something
about the other girl know not what
but II assured me there was no change
in our position since the days whef
we played husband and wife at keep
ing house-no change In the position
but great change In the condition
Il had then been like a winter bud
but 1t was now swollen under sprini
sun, ready to put forth leaves.
sometimes wished that | coul,
have experienced the proposal tina
other girls seemed to regard the mex
most important moment in their live
to their marriage. Edward and bat
no occasion for proposal. Our low
was rather, as | have said, an unfold
ing Of a bud than the birth OF butter
fly. The only abrupt part OF II wal
when he gave me the first kiss.
have always treasured that In lieu o
proposal.
When we we're married great change
had occurred | was left alone In tb'
world. SO It was arranged that w
should occupy my house. Our liylDI
/ room was on the second door, over
looking the playground where we hh'
pretended 10 be husband and wife
4 The faint dream OF childhood had beei
( developed to a realization OF almos
! perfect happiness II there could be
/ perfection on earth, these five year
I of my life. from twenty to twenty
were such d condition. Two chlldrei
were born TO US. a boy aud a girl
What seemed strange to me was that
though gave them boundless love
that which bore their father. instea'
OF being diminished. was Increased
Truly love must be, Ike space. infinite
Up to this point there had been al
expansion Of happiness suddehl
there came check. our younges
/ child slckeDed and died. ! have Do
scribed with some minuteness what
have likened 20 the gradual unfoldin
OF n flower. ! have 40 heart 20 Civ
more than q brief mention Of It's blight
ing. within few months after th
first death second occurred. an
within another year ! lost my husband
For a time | was In sort of co
lapse. IN which did not take enoug
interest In my surroundings 10 be al
fected by them After one has me
With a serious accident or has bee
operated upon by surgeon the sense
are deadened; then comes the begli
ming Of pain. II was NO with m'
When became myself my surround
ings were painful 10 me Some pei
sons similarly situated nurse their grie
BY living ln such surroundings ! lOnI
ed 10 get away from them. Friend
advised me 10 seek recovery In "a
many new scenes and interesting OF
jects that are 10 be found abroad.
took their advice. ! sailed for Europ'
leaving the place where ! had been =
happy IN the hands " an agent ~
sale. One thing ! WAS resolved opop.
never 10 return 10 Il
II may be considered that my ~
ry IL one Of coincidence II ~ NOR
than thnt II Is an illustration Of ID
very different conditions that may o
cur In the life Of single person. Ma
ters Of romance have maintained iht
there should not be In song or siOr
but one love. Piaywnghts never brin
4 second on 10 the Stage. They 20
tray rather romance than real NE al
do not give all That renl NE ne"d
They are Of the same order ah the p''
Die OF India who believe that the WI
should dis Oh the funeral pyrc OF u
husband
may be weaker than some ~otp'
or 1 may be stronger Possibly ! m'