The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-06-05
The Final
Argument
By BELLE STORMS

the delicious perfume. He had just
proposed marriage. and it would seem
that their surroundings would induce
that fervor which is to be expected at
such times, if. indeed, the case was one
of mutual love. But the lady was
above such influences. She was look
ing at the step before her analyticaly
The wherewithal to keep house togeth-
er did not concern her, for each pos
sessed a fortune. Her mind dwelt
father upon those matrimonial quick
hnds married persons are liable to fall
ilto and which. though she knew them
hot she dreaded
II confess" she said, that l am
predisposed in your favor, BUT
| But what?"
1T is not marriage with you that
! causes me to pause. 1t is marriage it.
self Indeed, we hear more and more
every day of the disadvantages Of two
persons binding themselves together
for a lifetime. We hear a great deal
! of divorces, of marriage being a fail
ure and lately of experimental mar
I riage and independent marriage. These
! things indicate that the world has
passed beyond that old fashioned union
of the sexes wherein the man provides.
! the woman takes care of the home
and the children. and domestic life is
like field of growing cabbages."
Not a garden of roses, with their
delicious perfume"
And their thorns."
What do you say to our entering
upon independent marriageT
There are many marriage contracts
that may be classed under the head Of
independent marriage. To what par
ticular form do you refer2"
suppose we consent to live together
as man and wife; that we may not
! shock society and for the sake of our
children we submit to a marriage cere
mony. But to us it will be a form
without meaning since we will live
together only so long as we both de.
sire to do so. The finances are kept
separate"
A silence followed this suggestion
during which the lady pondered and
the man waited
81 cannot see" she said, "that your
proposal can alter the case We will
be on the same footing as other mar
ried persons"
"There is this advantage-we will
feel an independence, a freedom. that
we would not feel if married under the
understanding that the contract was
till death do us part"
Again the lady maintained silence.
turning the matter over in her mind
Stretching out her hand, she grasped
rose growing near her and held its
stem so that its waxen petals fell
against her lips while she inhaled its
perfume.
81 have a counter proposition to
make" she said finally. 81 will ac-
cept your proposal, it being understood
that you are bound till death do us
part, to be free, as you have stated"
1t was now the mans turn to con
slider He said nothing for a time,
though ne gave startled glance at his
companion He was young, and this
was his first serious experience with
womankind The proposition that had
Just been announced seemed a trife
one sided.
would you consider that an equita-
BILE arrangement" he asked.
Perfectly"
"Why soT'
Because If we should not get on to-
gether--if you i'll treated me, if any of
the misfortunes of marriage should
come upon us-I would be free to re
turn to my present state"
And /? What, in case of these
matrimonial misfortunes-what would
do?"
"These matrimonial misfortunes
would not be my fault. Therefore you
would have no occasion to exercise
freedom"
He was law student and had the
day before listened to a lecture of an
eminent jurist on contracts" Is 1t to
be wondered that this specimen of
feminine Jurisprudence in the abstract
astonished him?
81 think" he said, rising. that |
would not care to enter upon matri
mony with such an understanding"
"Why sof" she asked, looking up at
him reproachfully.
"It would avail nothing to give my
reasons. do not care to do So"
"How absurd! Didn't | Just give
you my reasonsr
"Reasonsw Do you call them rea.
sons?"
"Of course. Why not?"
Every we'll. | will give you mine
] am to be an attorney. perhaps some
day a judge. What would do with
Justice in court and such want of jus,
tice at home? Goodby."
He had taken but two or three steps
when he heard a sound Turning, h'
saw her holding her handkerchief Il
her eyes, while convulsive sobs shooh
her. He went back, drew down the
hands and kissed away the tears,
"You see." she said, still weeping
that l was right Just think of beinG
tied to a man who would treat me sop
Sweetheart, I'll never do it again"
| No diA In fiuoo haaou1a aO,tnanl