Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1922-09-02
The Test of
Life
By JUSTIN WENTWoOD

Copyright 1929 Western Newspaper Union
She was a nice little thing, but al
together unsuitable for Tom. That
was the banker, Charles Routledge's
first impression as he looked at his
sons flancee
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 his paper
cutter.
He did not mind Amy's beng what
his wife would have called socially be-
meath them. Anne had been the daugh
ter of a poor clerk when he, just
made a 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 a cipher
"a happy go-lucky, fairly industrious,
typical young American. 1t was the
woman who counted.
$50 you th'Ik you and Tom are in
love with each other?" the banker
asked. studying the girls shy face
as she watched him confusedly.
II think we shall be very happy"
Amy answered
My dear" said Routledge, Il won
der II YOU understand just what mar
riage with Tom will imply. P'-he
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 viii be loyal and
affectionate; but there's something
more than that, Amy. How much will
Toms life become your ownf'
ain every way" answered the girl
Il was thinking" said the banker,
wasn't like Tom in disposition. but all
men are more or less alike in ways.
only this man married with that sort
of purpOsve intention that often
proves "a trap. He thought, I am TAX
ing this girl to myself l shall mold
her in my own ways. | shall make her
everything that | desire her TO be
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. aloof They drlfted apart. AT
first he was puzzled to find that She
appeared unwilling to share his inter
ests Then when it was too late, he
came to the conclusion that she, too,
had been trying to mold him"
TO on" said Amy in a low voice
There should have been an under
standing between them from the De-
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
lie watched the girls face keenly,
Men want so much more than a
home my dear, and women-often-
don't understand. DO your"
II think So answered Amy
Routledge studied her again before
speaking. II believe YOU do" he am
sWered And. after all, he mused,
that's the stun that Hfes made of.
It's only ont of our disappointments
/ that We strike the spark of character
perhaps Immortality.
My dear" he said TO the girl II
, 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 it was some time he
fore he turned To his work again.
How different things might have been
II Anne had uHderStood-if he him
self had understood-Vhat he had
been trying To tell Amy.
But, after all, as he had said. one
learned only 10y experience; one ham
mered out ones character upon the
anvil OF disappointmeutS
The door of his room opened. and
Anne stood Oh the threshold At the
sight of her Rouiledge instantly be
came himself again--cool. self pos.
se~sed aud quiet
Anne Routledge came 70 her hus-
bana'> side and stood looking down
at him. Charles =" she said in low
voice
III, looked mp at her what
what's The matter. Anue?"
III heard what You were saying
20 Amy. II think l didut under
Siaud before Oh if YOU had only said
il 90 npt"
She euceled beside him, her arms
aheW blu sobbing
Is it too late. deor?" she asked
hu I've shall be lonely now. |
think I always understood in dim
sort Of way. butts the mans part,
, tna Charles VII Won holm mo and