Palatka daily news., 1922-06-20
The Test of
Life
By JUSTIN WENTWooD


first impression as he looked at MS
sons fiancee.
There was nothing in the world the
matter with her. She was the sort OF
girl whom millions of American men
marry and think they are entering In
TO Paradise. Charles Routledge sighed
a little as he played with jis paper
cutter.
He did not mind Amy's being what
his wife would have called socially be-
meath them. Anne had been the daugh-
ter of poor clerk when he, just
made q partner in his fathers bank
ing business, married her. Anne had
made their position in the social
world, and there was no family In
Boston too proud to feel honored at
an invitation to the fine house on Lea
cock street.
No, it was not that. ROutledge
wondered, thinking of his own disap-
pointment whether he could make
Amy understand. And, after all, it all
rested with Amy. Tom was cipher
"a happy -go-lucky, fairly industrious,
typical young American. 1t was the
woman who counted.
$50 you think you and Tom are in
love with each other| the banker
asked, studying the girls shy face
as she watched him confusedly.
IL think we shall be very happy"
Amy answered.
my dear" said Routledge, II won
der if you understand just what mar
riage with Tom will imply. The
was unconsciously speaking out Of the
book of his own life-"I wish all girls
understood how wholly their future
happiness depends upon themselves,
and how little upon the men they
marry.
"Of course you will be loyal and
affectionate; but there's something
more than that Amy. How much will
Toms life become your ownf
"In every way" answered the girl.
II was thinking" said the banker,
slowly, "of a man l once knew. He
wasn't like Tom in disposition, but all
men are more or less alike In ways.
Only this man married with that sort
Of purposive intention that often
proves trap. He thought I am TAX
ing this girl to myself, I shall mold
her In my own ways, ] shall make her
everything that I desire her to be-
But 1t didn't work, my dear.
"YOu see, a man has to be very
faithful to his ideals if they are to
work out, and married life is a pitfall
for the unwary He found his wife
cold, aloOt. They drlfted apart. At
first he was puzzled to find that she
appeared unwilling to share his inter-
ests. Then, when 1t was too late, he
came to the conclusion that she, too,
had been trying to mold him."
Go on" said Amy in a low voice.
There should have been an under
standing between them from the be-
ginning. Both were TO blame, but the
woman should have set to work to
make her husbands life her own. She
erred in thinking only that she was to
be the mistress of her home, She
should have set herself the task Of
becoming the mistress Of her hus-
bands heart"
He watched the girls face keenly.
Men want so much more than a
home, my dear, and women-often--
don't understand. Do you"
IL think So" answered Amy.
Routledge studied her again before
speaking. ~ believe you do," he an
swered. "And, after all," he mused,
that's the stuff that life's made Of
It's only out of our disappoiDtments
that we strike the spark Of character
perhaps Immortality.
"My dear" he said to the girl, u
hope you and Tom will be happy"
He kissed her and watched her de-
part And the memories Of the past
held him so that 1t was some time be-
fore he turned to his work again.
How different things might have been
If Anne had understood-if he him
self had understood-what he had
been trying to tell Amy.
But, after all, as he had said, one
learned only by experience; one ham
mered out ones character upon the
anvil Of disappointments.
The door of his room opened, and
Anne stood on the threshold. At the
sight of her Routledge instantly be-
came himself again-cOol, self-pos-
sessed and quiet.
Anne Routledge came to her hus-
bands side and stood looking down
at him. Charles |" she said in low
voice.
He looked up at her. "Eh-what-
what's the matter, Amer
IL heard what you were saying
10 Amy. Il think 1 didn't under
stand before. Oh, if you had only said
it to mel"
She kneeled beside him, her arms
about him; sobbing.
'bs 1t too late, dearf' she asked
him. 1--we shall be lonely now. I
think ! always understood in dim
sort of way, but-it's the mans part,
TOD, Charles. VIII you help me, and
teach me-or is 1t too late nowf"
fits never too late" he answered,
huskily, as he put his arms about her.
Harsher Name