Part 1 (1/2)
Fair to Look Upon.
by Mary Belle Freeley.
A RIPPLE OF DISSENSION AND WHAT CAME OF IT.
I was about to be married. My numerous charms and attractions had won the affections of a young man who was equally charming with myself.
We were sitting on a luxurious divan and he held my milk-white hand in his. I do not make that statement as a startling announcement of an unusual occurrence, but simply as a matter of fact.
We had been conversing about the culinary and domestic arrangements of our future home when matrimony had made us ”one flesh;” or, to use English, we had been wondering what under the canopy a good cooking stove would cost, when he asked suddenly and irrelevantly,
”And you will love me, always?”
”Of course,” said I, a little impatiently; for when one is deep in a mathematical problem such a question is a little annoying.
”And you will honor me always?” he next inquired.
”As long as you deserve to be honored,” I replied, with the habitual good sense of my age and s.e.x, mentally wondering if granite-ware stewpans went with a cooking stove.
”And you will obey me?” he queried next, in a tone that plainly indicated that I'd have to. I left the mathematical problem for future solution and said, hesitatingly:
”Yes--if--I--can.”
”If you can?” he said, in sternly questioning tones; and a cloud no bigger than a man's hand appeared upon the heaven of our love.
”I don't believe a woman ever lived who ever obeyed any one--G.o.d, angels, or men,” I cried.
”You are a traitor. You slander your s.e.x,” he exclaimed, aghast.
”I deny the charge,” I replied, springing to my feet, with all the spirit of the above-mentioned age and s.e.x. ”By that a.s.sertion I only add glory to their fame.” He looked at me for a little while, too surprised to speak, and then said, in sarcastic tones:
”Consider our wedding postponed until you have had a little time to study your Bible. Good night.”
”'Study your Bible!' That is what everybody says when they want to prove any theory, creed, ism, or anything. I shall study my Bible diligently. Good night,” I replied, thinking it was not such very bad advice after all; and then I hummed a gay little tune for his benefit until I heard the hall door close.
And I have studied my Bible with the following result.
[Ill.u.s.tration: (Our first parents.)]
THE STORY OF EVE.
THE STORY OF EVE.