Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-12

! ing his silver haired terrier on his
! lap, he said.
"Of course, you know what the
business is which the gentlemen are
discussing in the library"
As well as could for the nervous
ness that was sitting me. an
swered that knew.
He stroked the dog with one hand
prodded his stick into the gravel with
the other and said
We'll, I 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 to tighten the mar
rage knot"
Still | said nothing.
ITO imagine that two independent
human beings can be tied together
like a couple Of Siamese twins, nei-
Their TO move without the other, living
precisely the same life year in, year
out why it's silly, positively
silly"
IN my ignorance could find moth
ing to say. and after another moment
my intended husband swished the
loosened gravel with his stick and
said
Il 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 il. Tell the truth, I
was afraid you wouldn't" ne 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 YOU"
In my ignorance and helplessness,
and with the consciousness OF what I
was expected to do. ! merely looked
at him without speaking.
Then he fixed his monocle afresh,
and, looking back at me in a curious
way, he said:
II 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 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
Cd
thing, then" he asked, and when in
my confusion still made no reply
| (having nothing which l felt myself
entitled TO say. ne said something
about Aunt Bridget and wnat she had
told him al 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 I am a truthful
woman, that was everything. Not
word from me, no, not half a word,
merely a passive act OF silent acqui-
escence. 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.
$50 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