Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1913 — OVERDONE AFFECTION. [ARTICLE]

OVERDONE AFFECTION.

The girl in the frilly white gown rearranged the flowers in the brass bowl becanße she realised what a charming picture of domesticity she made while doing so. “It Is perfectly dreadful,” she said, “the way Clara nags that poor man since they are married!” “Does she?” asked the young man£ who was sitting admiring her graceful motions. “I thought she was uncommonly fond of Charlie.” The young woman in the frilly white gown paused abruptly with a rose in one hand. “Oh, she is!” she cried. “That’s Jftst. trouble! SJie can’t bear to have him out of her sight. If he is five minutes late to dinner idle puts him through a regular catechism. I don’t s«e how he stands it!” “Maybe he doesn’t mind,” suggested the yovng man. The young woman cast a reproachful look at him. “Mind?” she cried. “Of course he minds! Wouldn't you mind if 1 fussed at‘you and wanted you to account for every breath you drew? Wouldn’t you? And I’m only engaged to you!” “It wouldn’t be very nice,” admitted the young man.. “But then, you know, you are somewhat different from Clara.” “I should hope so,” ejaculated the young woman, leaving the roses before they were quite out, and sitting down. - "Why,” she went on. “that’s Just the way to kill all love Clara’s husband may have for her! Not to trust him! I should think he would feel actually indignant! He came home one night and foiind her in tears because she had been making a schedule of he had done the previous day, and 10 minutes were unaccounted for. ' She Was certain he had been talking to some one whom he didn’t want her to know about? Why,, if I couldn't trust a man 1 couldn’t care for him.” “Of course not,” agreed the young men. “I’m mighty glad you don’t try to keep track of me that way!” The young woman eyed him thoughtfully. ”1 don’t like the hearty tone of voice in which you said that,” she remarked. “It was just as though you were thankful you had' escaped detection ? Are you concealing' something from me?” “Nonsense!” laughed the young man.

“But are you?” insisted the young woman. “Sometimes I wonder if it could be possible—not that 1 haven’t perfect confidence in you, Arthur—bat one does get to thinking occasionally. and sometimes 1 wonder if you tell me everything.” “Of course not," said the young map, placidly. "You’d be bored to death, if 1 recounted all mjr business dealing: or If every time I met aay one on the street— *’ “Girls, you megn?” “Sometimes,” said the young man. “1 suppose as long the the earth continues to be populated by men and womei. I shall keep on seeing girls when 1 walk abroad. “You ought to tell me when you do." said the'young woman, decisively, ‘‘“Whom did you meet yesterday?" -4 Tbe young man frowned. “How on earth can I remember?' - he tnqunect. “How foolish!—” “It isn’t foolish in tbe least," said the young woman, indignantly. “Tbe mere fact that you don't want to tell me shows—’ ; a; ' T “I'm perfectly willing to tell you." interrupted the young man. "only 1 can't remember. "Arthur.' said the young woman. “1 never thought 1 should doubt your word! You might as well confess who it was. Tell me all about It!* "There’s nothing to tell!” 'You may treat this flippantly If you wish." said tbe young woman, "but it is uq trifling matter. What time were you on tbe street and —” “At exactly 3.15,” said the young man. “going from the office to another office, and I’ll be hanged—” “If you can remember that much you can remember the girl,” Insisted the young woman. “Wbo was she and what did she say?” The yonng man was walking up and down. “1 met tbe stenographer in tbe office above.” he said, “and I also ran into Sally Slngather, whom you don T ’t know In the least, but whose father is a broker next door. And I don't see why I should have a. repeat everything like a silly achobrboy.” “I never heard about Sally Slngather,” said tbe young woman, aggrievedly. “You needn’t say I nag, for I don’t. It’s just legitimate curiosity! Is she pretty?" “Yes,” said the young man. “What did she say?” demanded the young woman, leaning forward breathlessly. The young man paused before her and stood gazing down. “To the best of my recollection,” he replied, “Sally said: ‘Good afternoon. Mr. Rojckmore. Isn’t it a lovely day?’ That’s all. Now, are you satisfied?” The yopny woman in tbe white gown looked rather non-plussed. Then suddenly her face grew determined again. "Of course, that wasn’t anything t. say,” she remarked. “But—you haven’t told me a word about the tone of voice she said it in! That makes a difference! Now, Arthur, you’ve Just got.to tell me!”