The Modern Obstacle

It was a particularly calm spring evening. The river and harbor were already gray; a gray haze hung over the lower part of the city. Above it the tops of the monstrous buildings reflected enough of the sunset in the western sky to blend dimly with the eastern.The boat was in mid-stream when the man, raising his head, said: “I want one thing distinctly understood between us. If I find life unbearable without you, I consider myself at liberty to put an end to it.”The woman made no reply, and after a time he said: "I hope you told your cab to wait for you.“She nodded.A few minutes later the boat reached its dock.The other passengers surged forward and left them alone. He too moved, raised his elbows, and looked at his companion, but her head remained averted so that when the moment of his departure was fully come in order to attract her attention he said: “Pauline.”At this, she turned slowly toward him. He took off his hat and, with a restraint that only inexperience could have mistaken for calm, he kissed her.Immediately after, he picked up his valise and disappeared.