The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-03-24

But, Edward. promised Marian
and go over our parts for the play.
Her husband is away, you know.
Mr.. Grantley waved his hand as one
who brushes aside futile and silly
objection. Nonsense, my dear. you
can do that at any time. The Browns
are people want to stand in with
for business reasons, Of course-and
l accepted, definitely, for both OF US.
That settles it."
Mrs. Grantles flushed. She didn't
often oppose her husband, but she
had been looking forward keenly to
the little dinner alone with her sister.
You knew was going to Marian's. I"
she ventured, pleadingly. you can
say you forgot. that we will come some
other time"
Mr.. Grantley looked displeased. my
dear, the matter Is settled" His tone
spelled finality.
Mrs. Grantleys lovely, youthful face
grew mutinous. A hot, unaccustomed
rebellion surged within her.
You never consult me-never!"
Her husbands eyes grew cold.
"Honora," he said, you had better
go up to your room for the rest Of the
evening. You are not in mood for
sensible discussion. Go, now, and
goodnight"
Mrs. Grantley rose and walked
swiftly from the room, reached her
bedroom and shut and locked the
door. Then she paced up and down
in tumult of angry resentment. Sent
to her room like a schoolgirl! Pun
1shed because she had dared to object
to raise her voice in protest! 1t
was unbearable! Yet it was the kind
OF thing that was always happening
always would happen as long as she
allowed it to-. She sank into a chair
and rested her chin on her clasped
hands, searching her mind intently
for causes and effects
She had been left an orphan and
Edward Grantley had been appointed
her guardian. Living with him as
his ward she had looked up to him
obeyed him, consulted him in every
thing, and when, having reached the
age of seventeen, he had asked her to
become his wife she had consented
knowing little of marriage. caring
only that she could continue to live
on with him indefinitely in the home
that she loved so well.
After marriage everything had gone
on about the same. He had loved her
petted her, censored her; she had con
look up to him. Now she was twenty
and mixing more with the world, con
sorting with other women, she was
coming to realize that the relationship
In which she stood to her husband was
not that Of other wives, that she and
Edward were not partners. compan
ions, walking side by side through
life on equal terms, but still child and
guardian. Now it seemed to her as II
the thing had come suddenly to q
head.
Il must do something, l must!" she
exclaimed, stamping her foot in en-
phasis. This subsection is only a
habit-with Edward as we'll as my
SELF He doesn't reaize-I don't make
him see"
With sudden determination she rose
smoothed her ruffled hair and gown
and forcibly regained her composure
Then she unlocked the door. hesitated
q moment on the threshold, took her
courage in both hands and passed
quickly through the halls and down
into the library. AS she entered and
walked over to one Of the bookcases
her husband looked up; then, evident
ly expecting her to select book and
return to her room, went on with bis
writing.
Honora chose a volume of recent
fiction and sat down by the open fire
Mr.. Grantley leaned back in his
chair
''Honora. thought said good might
to you"
You did," she smiled, but when
got upstairs found didn't fee
sleepy, so l decid I'd to come down
again"
Her husband looked at her in as
tOnlSlment.
Il meant you to remain there, my
dear, but If you have decided to be
reasonable you may stay here"
Mrs. Grantley vouchsafed no re
spouse, and presently her husbands
voice broke the stiffness again.
What book are you reading, Hon
ora?"
She told him the title.
MY dearest!" he protested, "yor
know object very much to your
reading that foolish class of fiction
Put it away and get something thai
will stimulate your brain rather than
soften it,
Honora held herself still by 8
strong effort
Mr.. Grantley rose and went over tc
her.
Give me the book, Honora, and then
60 upstairs. I don't understand you
tonight"