The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-09-24
THE GIRL | DID
NOT MARRY
tBy MAX RTT ~TENBERG.)

N4o ~ IL Slli MO wanted 10 De HtT
own mistress towers above the rest.
She was very tall and smart and
pretty. | was young aid beauty 10
men lhen was more than skin deep.
II pierced as far as my heart. She
mad won me with her large eyes and
manner.
Yes, It was her presence tn i'm
pressed me, the wonderful way in
which she controlled and made those
about her do her bidding.
We met casuallyat Il dance. and
felt at once in sympathy with one an
other. SO much that afterwards We
met constantly.
1t was on the second meeting that
learned that she held a very big posi-
uon IN a large insurance firm. was
mead Of her department and control
led a number Of girls.
She was very fond Of talking of her
business, and l encouraged it. because
| fancied then that a woman who
could manage things of this sort
would be the ideal woman to manage
a home. | passed over the fact that
She disliked needlework and hous-
hold drudgery. | was commercial
myself, and was interested in those
VINO kne" how TO conduct affairs IN
an office.
Our sympathy deepened into love.
and | can remember now that night
when ! first old herof my passion.
She lived at a woman's boarding
house and was the life and soul Of
the place-an acknowledged mover IN
all their pleasures and plans.
| proposed to her there and was ac-
copied, and seemingly everything was
bright tome then, for ! had won a
woman whom l knew to be a brilliant
success in her business; and as my
own position was a good one. there
was every prospect Of our marriage
taking place speedily.
The next time We met We touch
ed upon business matter. and She
said:
Wont it be lovely. Jack? You and
| both business people, We can live
in a fat and have a servant to look
after it during the day, and You and
| will go to business.
WHAT" exclaimed. NJ dear
Muriel, you don for one moment
think that | would allow my wife to
go to town."
but why note" she replied. /
have always don so, and at first i,
would be such a help from a none
tary point of view; and, besides, it is
my life" She FASTENED to add that
this latter enar was only from the
point Of view Of things apart from
me.
But would not hear of it.
mo, no. Muriel," l said. a wo-
IIIdA , tIOOSnS IluSl not dNtil on
work Of a commercial nature when
she is married: and, besides, there are
other things to be Considered.
Other things that, alas, Were never
to be.
; "Oh, no." She said. Il have seen
: too much of that. Jack-too many
l people who have married and lost all
| their youth at once. l want my share
: of interest, and o cam have yours.
5 | must go to business
: / thought Of my old father and
: mother at the time, and how they had
started when they had been married;
, of the precious little kn~ick-knacks
they had pointed out to me in after
life as the first things they had col
lected for their home-a picture here
and there, a little piece Of embroidery,
a table center. 1t had been home
> from the start and home until the
end.
And I wanted a home, and I realiz-
cd tina life such as this would pre-
clude any possibility Of home in the
true meaning Of the word. 1t would
be just a place to rest after the days
work.
INC. Muriel.' said. I want tc
know that my wife will be at home to
meet me when 1 arrive. | want tC
know that her mind has not been full
of figures and money when / return
want her to be a woman with the
true instincts Of a woman"
She laughed sarcastically.
How absolutely absurd you, are
IJack:You don't understand. Do you
think that / am going to renounce Al
Imy interests and my responsibilities
and my salary until I know that yor
earn enough to give me what | have
been accustomed to earn"
"Of course I expect YOU to wait fol
Those things" I replied.
But she laughed again. and soor
after that | left her, very despirited
but still in love with her. | would
work, and work hard, so that sh'
should be complied to give up he
idea with regard to marriage.
And the next day these ambition,
Of mine TO do things were as stron;
as ever. but, alas. | was doomed to
bitter disappointment before the da.
was out.
re There had been runors OF off