Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1934-11-23

Tony's face had a high, upliftsd
look. He paid no attention to the
correction.
"You had me worried" he said,
"stalling that way. Pretending that
you hadn't fallen for me, and that
my bank account was all that mat
tered"
Ellen raised a slender hand-half
in protest, half in a gesture of with
Idrawal.
LISTEN" said Ellen. stop and
look and listen! You're going too
fast, Tony-you're assuming toe
much. l didn't mean to worry you
last night, and I wasn't stalling,
either. l wasn't pretending not to
like you, for I do like you far better
than any of the other men l know.
But I suppose it was, really, your
bank account that finally sold me
on marriage, l mean. For" her
heart thudded sickly at the false
hood, II don't love you, not as love
goes in novels. | won't ever love
anyone that way. Eve always said
that marriage would have to be sort
of lukewarm to interest me, and
haven't changed my mind! What
mean is, l don't love you madly. |
don't believe in love, not for girls.
It's all right for men-with a man,
loves only a gesture any way!"
Most women" said Tony, and
he spoke with the conviction that
every rich young man possesses,
would be afraid to talk as frankly
as you do Ellen, if they really didn't
care! They'd be afraid of losing me
and my bank account"
Ellen tossed her head until the
curls of it were all a-dance.
"I'm not afraid" she boosted.
How could a boy guess that the
boast was so hollow?
II suppose" Tony went on, that
Pm sort of old-fashioned, in some
ways. But my mother and my father
were married for thirty years. My
father died just two months before
my mother went away, and when
she followed him (and say what you
will, it was heartbreak, for she
been ill), she was calling"
the boys voice shook, ealing his
name. | believe in that kind of mar
myself"
Ellen'e eyes were staring far
away.
My mother loved my father I'M
Ill they both died." said Ellen. "And
her imitation of Claire's shrug
vas piteous, land that's why l don't
in that kind of marriage. J.
to get what I a out of life
Il wan to squeeze life dry, like a
PONCE. If you marry me, it will
lave to be on those terms. You're
to expect O much from me.
lot 500 much love, or too much
,entleness, or too much loyalty. I'll
ry not to do anything to put any
ort of a blot on your name--you
pretty we'll count on me, there,
because I'm not the type! But l shall
continue to have my own friends,
nd to go out with them. And I'll
,eep or with my work, if I find I'm
lot busy enough running my mar
Pill"
One of the first things she had
loticed about Tony was the
trength of his jaw line. 1t widened'
Tut now, in an odd manner. 1t be-
anne blunt.
WHAT" said Tony, IF l make a
.ew remarks and stipularions? As
ong as this seems to be a mutual
contract we're drawing up! What
f I say that I'll have as many wo-
men friends in my life, as you have
men? What if l say that I'll find
my excitement elsewhere, if you
don't keep my home poppy enough?
What if I say l don't art about the
.lots that l put ON the family name,
as long as wearing the family name
can be held SO cheaply by my wife?
What if I say I thoroughly agree
your theories? That what
you We said can go-double!"
Ellen's hands were folded in her
lap. They looked like calm little
G~oo. b,,+ =. .o,1,+u +Lo Ill, IL