Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-12
THE WOMAN THOU GAVEST ME
The Greatest Story of the Twentieth Century

ing his silver haired terrier on his
lap, he said:
"Of course. YOU know what the
business is which the gentlemen are
discussing in tie library?"
As we'll as could for the nervous
ness that was sitting me. an
swered that I knew.
He stroked the dog with one hand.
proddcd his stick into the gravel with
the other and said:
We'll. ! don't know what your
views about marriage are. Mine, /
may say, are liberal"
listened without attempting to
reply
Il think nine tenths Of the trouble
that attends marriage life-the break
downs and what not-come OF an ir-
rational effort 10 tighten the mar
riage knot"
stu ! said nothing
ITO imagine that two Independent
human beings can be tied together
like a couple Of Siamese twins. nei-
taer 20 move without the other, living
precisely the same life year in, year
out why, It's silly, positively
silly"
In my ignorance I could find moth
ing to say, and after another moment
my intended husband swished the
loosened gravel with his stick and
said
II believe In married people leaving
each other free-each going his and
her own way-what do you think"
! must have stammered some kind
of answer don't know what-for
remember that he said next:
quite so, that's my view Of matri-
mOny. and I'm glad to see YOU appear
to share II. Tell the truth,
was afraid you wouldn't" he added.
with something more about the nuns
and the convent
! wanted to say that ! didn't. but
my nervousness was increasing every
moment. and before could find words
in which to protest he was speaking
to me again.
Our friends in the library seem to
think that you and | could get along
together, and I'm disposed TO think
they re right-aren't your"
In my ignorance and helplessness,
and with the consciousness of what
was expected TO do, ! merely looked
at him without speaking.
Then he fixed his monocle afresh,
and, looking back at me in curious
way. he said;
Il don't think should bore you, my
dear; in fact. ! should be rather
proud OF having good looking wom-
an for my wife. and | fancy | could
give you a good time. In any case
this with a certain condescension--
my name might be of some use to
you"
A sort OF shame was creeping over
me. The dog was yawning in my
face, My intended husband threw 1t
Off his knee.
Shall we consider 1t a settled
thing, then" he asked, and when In
my confusion I still made no reply
(having nothing which | felt myself
entitled to saw. he said something
about Aunt Bridget and what she had
told him at luncheon about my silence
and shyness. and then rising to his
feet he put my arm through his own.
and turned our faces toward home.
That was all. As | am truthful
woman. that was everything. Not a
word from me, no, not half word,
merely a passive act of silent acqul-
essence, and in my youthful and al
most criminal innocence ! was com
mitted TO the most momentous Incl
dent of my life.
But II there was no love making, no
fondling. no kissing. no courtship OF
any kind, and none Of the delirious
rapture which used to be described in
Alma's novels, | was really grateful
to find that, and immensely relieved
to find that matters could be com
pleted without them.
What we reached the house. the bell
was ringing for tea, and my father
was coming out of the library, fol-
lowed by the lawyers.
so that's all right, gentlemen" he
was saying.
Yes, that's all right, sir" they were
answering; and then. seeing us as we
entered. my father said to Lord Raa
And what about you two?''
Were all right Also" said his lord
ship in his drawing voice