The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-24
BY TEMpLE BArLEY.
B1 TEMFLE bAILEf.
Copyright, 1911, by Associated
literary Press

Copyright, 1911, by Associated
Literary Press.
IL should love you Arnold said
dogsediy, under any circumstances.
You are what you are by the grace
of God. and l want you for my wife,
from the other side of the fireplace
Miss Travers regarded him gioomiiy.
women who act" size said, 'wnat
can you expect of them? Ifey are
never domestic, and you are used to
domestic women. Your mother is
home-keeper. You have always dwelt
in a well-ordered establishment. You
have nothing in common with Bohem-
ianlsm: and l. why my life swings
from the prosperity of a table d'hote
at french restaurant, to the meager-
ness of my morning bacon cooked
ed over the gas jet"
Arnold frowned. Don't talk OF
that" he said hastily. That will be
over when you are my wife"
win it?" she said. What Ii my
genius should insist upon finding e&-
presslon?'
II am not asking you to settle
down." Arnold told her almost with
irritation. II love your art. love
you as you are tonight in that gray
gown. and the freight bringing out
that j should enjoy you half as much
in n conventional shirt waist or an
apron"
II should like to think" she sale
wistfaily, that you should like me-
love Ine--in anything"
Why analyze?" he asked lightly.
ITO me you are altogether lovely
She bent toward him. III / decide
tonight" she said: ~ say yes to-
night a mr.
Very sure" he said graveiy.
Suddenly she surrendered and
whispered. III 1t will make YOU
happy"
He went home radiant Hts mothers
door was half open az he passed IL.
so he went in and found her propped
up on pillows. her Bible on the table
beside her. the latest magazine in her
hand.
Il came to tell you OF my happl-
ness" he said.
"A shadow on her fine old face, but
She said quietly. Then It IN Alicia
I.cvers? go
Yes" he said. I'VE are going to
be married as soon as her season Is
over, next month"
She ia lovely" his mother said,
yet I'm half afraid. dear boy"
Please" he pleaded don't be
come up TO the standard of family
domesticity. but ] want a wife, not a
houSekeeper. mother"
His mother shook her head. lit
tie blind boy" she said. Every man
needs caretaker. not a housekeeper,
not "a cook. but the guardian OF his
home: one who makes II secure
place. refuge from the world. With
a wife like the one you have chosen
there will be no liked abode. win
YOU ever he happy In a will o'-the~
wisp lfe?''
OF course" he said s;outly, but his
heart mtsgave him All Of his boytsh
dreams had tended toward the fine
old estate which his father had left
him, He had seen himself playing
the host with with his wife BY his
side. Yet he had fallen in love with
a woman who lived half her time In
hotels. and the rest OF IL In chair
cars or sleepefs.
Yet when hc saw her the next night.
n appealing figure in the little play
Aich suited her. her red-gold hair
Hing unbound to her knees. her
shimmering satin robe giving her a
bride-likc beauty. he felt no doubts
She was perfect, and she would soon
be his
In the spring they were married
III had planned u honeymoon at his
cottage In the pine woods. but fate
interviewed. There Was a great part
IN 2 great play. and II was necessary
that his wife should go TO Paris to
see the author. go he went with her.
Arnold gave himself up to a life
that contributed to his wife's success.
He spent money on her freely. Iavished
upon her every luxury. and was
amused and Interested by the novelty
Of 1t all. Yet he felt that he did no,
make her happy. Now and then she
would look at him wistfuily and say.
II Is going to end: YOU won't Hike
this always"
Then he would comfort her Some
day we'll settle down"
But can | settle down." was her
insistent question.
'.Of course, you can" he said. Yet
there were times when her genius
seemed to separate her from him, and
he felt foriorn and alone.
He never felt IL so much as on the
last night of the season when she
bowed her farewell TO a ciamoring au-
- s