The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1911-04-08

are what you are by the grace OF God,
and / want you for my wife,"
Fromtthe other side of the fireplace
Miss Travers regarded him gloomily.
Women who act" she said. what
can you expect of them? They are
never domestic, and you are used to do
nestle women. Your mother is a home
keeper. You have always dwelt In a
well-ordered establishment. You have
nothing in common with Bohemianism;
and i, why my life swings from the
prosperity Of table d'hote at a French
restaurant to the meagerness of my
morning bacon cooked over the gas
Jet"
Arnold frowned. Don't talk of that"
he said hastily. THAT will be over
when you are my wife,"
xviii it," she asked. What IL my
genius should insist upon finding ex-
| PRESTON
i am not asking you to settle down."
Arnold told her almost with irritation.
Il love your art love you as you are
tonight in that gray gown, and the
nrelight bringing out the red In your
hair. I'm not sure that should enjoy
you half as much in a conventional
shirtwaist or an apron"
Il should like to think" she said
wis.fully. that you should like me-
love me-in anything"
Why analyxe?" he asked lightly
ITO me you are altogether lovely"
She bent toward him. IF l decide
tonight" she said, III say yes to-
night, are you sure you won't regret!"
Very sure" he said gravely.
Suddenly she surrendered and whis-
pered. IF 1T will make you happy"
He went home radiant. His mothers
door was half open as he passed 1t, 10
he went in and found her propped up
on pillows, her Bible on the table be-
side her. the latest magazine In her
hand.
Il came to tell you of my happiness .
he said.
"A shadow fell on her fine old face,
but she said quietly. Then 1t is Alicia
Travers?"
YES" he said. I'VE are going to
be married as soon as her season Is
over. next month
"She is lovely" his mother said. yet
I'm half afraid. dear boy"
Please" he pleaded, don't be afraid.
She Is sure that she won't come up to
the standard of family domesticity. but
I want wife. not a housekeeper.
mother"
His mother shook her head. Little
blind boy" she said. Every man needs
a caretaker; not housekeeper. not a
cook, but the guardian of his home;
one who makes it secure place, ref
uge from the world. With a wife like
the one you have chosen there will be
no fixed abode. VIII you ever be hap
by in will-o'the-wisp Hfew
"Of course" he said stoutly, but his
heart misgave him. All Of his boyish
dreams had tended toward the fine old
estate which his father had left him.
He had seen himself playing the host
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
1t In chair cars or sleepers.
| Yet when he saw her the next niRht.
an appealing figure in the little play
which suited her. her red-gold hair
falling unbound to her knees. her SHIN
mering satin robe giving her a BRIDE
like beauty. he felt no doubts. She was
perfect, and she would soon be his.
In the spring they were married. He
had planned honeymoon at his cot
tage in the pine woods. but fate inter-
vened. There was great part in a
great play. and 1t was necessary that
his wife should go to Paris to see the
author. so he went with her.
Arnold gave himself up to q life that
contributed to his wife's success. He
spent money on her freely, lavished
upon her every luxury, and was
amused and interested by the novelty
Of 1t all. Yet he felt that he did not
make her happy. Now and then she
would look at him wistfully and say:
1T is going to end: you won't like this
always"
linen ne would comfort her. Some
day Wen settle down."
But can settle down." was her In
sistent question.
"Of course you can" he said. Yet
there were times when her genius
seemed to separate her from him, and
he felt forlorn and alone.
He never felt it SO much az on the
last night Of the season when she
bowed her farewell to a clamoring au.
dience. She seemed to belong to the
people. not to him.
When she came to him behind the
scenes. she laid her head against his
arm and said. Let's go away some
where. far away from everybody, Just
you and I. and be happy"
He took her to mis- cottage in the
pines. Her maid went with her. The
little house seemed grounded fcr A.,