Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-23

dozen entirely natural adulteries and
dcscrtlons. which . man had some
times TO repair by marriage " else
allow himself 10 be regarded as q
seducer and a scoundrel
do not think my husband vas
conscious Of the naive cOarseuess of
all this as spoken TO "A young girl
who had only just become his wife.
! am sure he was not aware that he
was betrayinR himself 10 me in every
word he uttered and making the re-
pugnance ! had begun 70 feel for him
deepen into horro
Ny palms became moist. and aga n
and again had to dry them with
my handkerchief I was feeling more
frightened and more ashamed than
/ had ever felt before, but neverthe-
less when We sat down to dinner (
tried to compose myself Partly for
the sake Of appearance before the
servants, and partly because ! was
taking myself To task for the re-
pugnance ! felt toward my husband,
] found something to say, though my
voice shook
My husband ate ravenously and
drank good deal once or twice
when he insisted on pouring out
champagne for me. / clinked glasses
with him. Although every moment at
table was increasing my fear and
disgust, | sometimes allowed myself
to laugh.
Encouraged by this he renewed his
endearments even before the walters
had left the room, and when they had
gone, with orders not to return until
he rang and the door was closed be
hind them, he switched off the lights.
pushed a sofa in front OF the fire.
put me to sit on it. sat down beside
me and redoubled his tenderness
"How's my demure little nun now ?'
he said. Frightened, wasn't she?
wasn't she? They're all frightened at
first. bless them!"
| could smell the liquor he had
been drinking. I could see by the
freight the prominent front tooth
tpartly hidden by his mustaChe)
which | had noticed when ! saw him
first, and the down of soft hair which
grew as low on his hands as his
knuclIles. Above all | thought / could
feel the atmosphere Of other women
about him-loose women. bad women
as 1t seemed to me and my fear
and disgust began to be mixed with
Kind of physical horror.
Broke From His Arms.
For a little while ! tried to fight
against this feeling. but when he be-
gan TO put his arms about me, calling
me by endearing names, complaining
of my GOODNESS, telling me that | be-
longed to him now, and must do as
he wished, faintness came over me
trembled from head to foot and
made some effort to rise.
Let me go" | said
Nonsense" he said. laughing and
holding me to my seat. You be-
witching little womanl You're only
teasing me. How they love to tease,
these charming little women"
The pupils of his eyes were glis-
tening, ! closed my eyes in order
TO avoid his look. Al the next mo-
ment | felt his hand stray down my
BODY and in fury of Indignation
broke out of his arms and leapt to
my feet.
When | recovered my self-posses-
sion ! was again looking out of the
window. and my husband, who was
behind me, was saying in a tone of
anger and annoyance;
W hats the matter with you2
can't understand What have | done?
Good heavens. we are man and wife.
aren't We"
! made no answer. My heart. which
had been hot with rage. was becorl-
ing cold with dread. II seemed to
rue that | had suffered an outrage
on my natural modestY as a human
beng, sort OF offense against my
dignity as a woman.
1t was now dark. with my face
TO the window | could see nothing.
The rain was beating against the
glass, The sea was booming on the
rocks. wanted to ny. but felt
Gagged morally and physically Gagged.
My husband had III a cigarette and
was walking up and down the sit
ting room. apparently trying to
think things out After while he
approached me, put his hand on my
shoulder and said.
Il see how it is. You're tired, and
no wonder, You've had a long and
eXhausting day Better go to bed,
Wen have to be up early"
Glad to escape from his presence
| allowed him to lead me to the
large bedroom. As was crossing
the threshold he told me to undress
and get into bod and after that he
said something about waiting Then
he closed the door softly and l was