Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-10-18

reached the ranch. Donald lifted us
wife down upon the piazza, and then
Sprang upon the saddle himself again.
Il have a small package for DR.. Rog-
ers," be said, listlessly, "and l think
I'll ride over right now, between the
showers. My horse is quite fresh"
What! now?" exclaimed Anita, in a
high, displeased tone. "YOu are all
wet and tired out. You can send the
package perfectly we'll"
''No, have some messages for him
too. / must see MIN myself and l may
as well 20 now and get the thing done
with" He was longing to set away by
himself, 70 gain time 10 look this
strange new trouble In the face and
measure It's meaning. II won't be gone
long" he added lifelessly.
ooh, don't think OF hurrying away on
nv account" her eyes flashing angrily,
the telltale red flaming on her cheeks.
Gray, won't mind trying to keep my
spirits up-win you?" laying her hand
Familiarity on his sleeve, smiling brightly
as she met his eyes with a coquettish
glance. He has made wonderful sue
cess OF it this week, can assure you, "
with q careless nod at Donald, as, with
out another word, he rode away.
The brilliant smile was gone, leaving
q hard white face, with anger burning
like Goals in her eyes. Gray looked at
her compassionately as he silently
walked beside her, following her quick,
nervous march up and down the desert
ed piazza.
Everybody seems to be having sup
per" he remarked with studied care
iessness presently. HAD we not better
get into dry clothes and have ours, or
will you wait for Donald?'
She laughed-a hard, mirthless sound
.Well, if We want any supper at all l
think we would better not leaYe 1t to
anv such remote contingency as that. J."
"And yet-you have not had enough
OF it," murmured Gray, with quiet sig
nifcance. Her lip quivered pitifuIiy.
EuOughl was it not enough that her
heart was aching with distinct physi-
cal pain, as clearly defined as
a toothache? And then, with
q swift change OF feel
ing. she was filed with fury at Gray.
With all the tender pity that spoke in
mis- ewes, she knew that In his heart he
was exulting that, in this first hour OF
their meeting, her husband had left her
10 seek another woman; that he was
even glad of her pain, hoping it would
turn her the more TO him.
Look here, Gray" she said abruptly,
standing still, II want you to go away
at once. Go to CalifOrnia-AiaSka-
so long as you 60"
''My doctor told me to stay in Colo
RADIO" be coolly retorted. AS he had
cleverly calculated, she was immediate
ly soltened somewhat by this allusion 10
his weakness. To drive him away, per-
haDs to die among strangers, there did
seem certain cruelty about it, Yet
there was no alternative.
but there are other places, she sug-
gested, gently. "There is Colorado
Springs lovely place. So many peo-
pie 90 there
Il know" sarcastically; "a regular
home. l stopped over
there a day and saw the procession
each specimen about as cheerful to
look u pom as the traditional Jobs tur-
kew that was so poor it had to lean
against a fence to gobble. That's
nice, exhilarating place to 30 to-"
But there are plenty or other
places" impatiently. MANY people
prefer California"
''WeH, don't" doggedly. "All the
same" his voice softening tenderly, "of
course I'll go If you say so, Nita."
Her heart, in it's heavlneSS seeming
starving for tenderness, was somewhat
touched by the tone; her own pain had
made her pitiful. In his selfish, SEN
sual fashion, as much as was In him to
care for anybody, Gray loved her, and
this seemed the only love on earth she
could really count her own. 1t might
be wrong, but for the instant there was
a certain comfort in feeling that this, at
least, would never fail her.
''You can see that it is BEST" she said
almost tenderly.
eyes, best for US both that should
go-and take you with me, Nita," with
a quiet that belied the excited glitter 10
his eyes. "StOp! don't speak! listen to
me, dear. You are not happy, Mia;
saw IL the moment set eyes on you, and
now I know the reason. And why
should YOU suffer with it any longerP
Let me take you away. Why must all
vonr life be spoiled for one mistake?
DO YOU know what percentage Of all
marriages nowadays end in divorce?
Other people correct their blunders,
and why should not you? Get d.
vorce-it will be easy enOugh-and be
free to enjoy your life in yourown way.
Don't look at me like that, Mia! Why will
Won not be sensible? don't ask you to
marry mel ask nothing for myself.
Only let me takv you away; let me
nrovlde for you and you may live
wherever you like-as far from me as
you please.
ssWhy should you trouble TO lie about
il like that?' demanded Anita brusque-
iv. eyeing him with fiery scorn. ''As II
I did not know that you are only hoping
70 marry me when once that convenient
divorce is obtainedi l wonder you are
so ready to sheme to get hold OF second
hand goods"
eyes, / hope; why should I be
ashamed to own it?'' retorted Gray boldly
,,Yet. on my soul dear, swear that II
Won will but leave this man-WhOm
Won don't love and who don't love you"
She drew back as II she had been
struck.
ssIf you will but go with me now l
will never ask so much as a touch OF
vonr fingers that you do not OF your
own accord offer me"
ssThat is so llkelyT her eyes blazing
ike stars with her scOrn, when l am
fairlv black aRd blue now from your
com pelling embraces. when IL Is not an