The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-28
A FROST AND A THAw.
HY ELLToT wALKER.

 behind the tightly closed fingers. Il simply can't endure him any longer"
 Under the scanty gray hair. brushed mercilessly back from the anxious brow, her eyes. strained. fixed and hope less, presently roved with a slow de- spair from the yellow painted ceiling to the clean, worn dresser. where stood the shining tins Tn readiness Tor the mornings milk. Dropping her hand, Dorcas gazed at them queerly.
 Forty years I've filled pans right here. Ohi what ain't done right here Stood and worked, and thought. and planned, laughed and cried, happy and misrable, summer and winter, rain and shine. Lord! Lord! Lordw
 She clasped her forehead, grooming bitterly, with no tears, unconseiously counting the well-used household i'm plements hanging neatly on their malls, and the array of canisters and small spice boxes on the shelf. ITO drop dead would be mercy" sine whispered. If I dared"
 Picking up en-edged bread knife. the woman patted the sharp point with a finger. smiling grimly while she poked her corset ribs.
 If I had a heart, 'twould be about here, I s'pose. Pshaw That's no way. While the fits on me I'll tell him. Just
 
 tell him I'm goin. From his actions lately, he ought to be willin' enough My soul, when did 1t all start, and what for? It's like a wall of lee, beginnin' with a drop and growth. growth. till we're froze apart as wide as the poles. He knows it. I know it. It's beyond ever meltin'. Nothin' to do but one thing"
 Across the yard, unmindful of the Anx -fII hn and the fact of her low heel-trodden slip pers, Mrs Cope marched stolidly, blind to the early sunshine, deaf to her fa- vorite robins. intent only upon the words burning in her brain.
 I'll be cool and calm she kept saying. mumbling her lower lip 'Tll say. 'Beecher, what's the use? If there's any comfort left on earth for either of us we'll never find 1t together. Why no need of luggin' this knife out here" she added. surprisedly. T thought I put it down."
 The great barn door stuck and creaked dismslly as Dorcas squeezed through, pushing an aperture sufficient ly wide to allow ingress for her mar row figure. Hes in here somewhere" !" she said to herself. with an added irri- tation at the delay. as she peered about.
  ladder doin' there? Whats"
 A low, dreadful cry burst from her. Then she went up the ladder like a mad creature. bent over a beam and slashed with bread knife.
 Beecher Cope fell heavily in a heap. Half sliding, half dropping. his wife descended with perilous agility, flew to him. tore the moose from his neck, roll ed him over and sank to her knees.
 Ar rTHtIrh alive alheit somewhat purple and greatly shame faced and dlsmayed His rope had not been properly adjusted. Having tied his feet and hands with strong twine, he was undergoing a slow and painful process of strangulation. with no power to expedite matters. when his better half npeared on the scene.
 Gasping a few times. he cleared his throat for speech.
 "Dorcas Cope, don't you never let on! Cut those strings and I'll get up.
 Promise me you'll never try this ag'ini If not, Til leave you tied. Beech CT Cope. I'll call In the neighbors- Ill-"
 "The Lord hearin' me, I've had enough. Dorcas.
 Her face was like white flint as she shipped the bonds. helped him stag ger stiffly to his feet. and took his arm.
 Come right in the house. Beecher" she said. quietly.
 The featured old man walked submissively by her side. He had not trembled at the prospect of death. but now he shuddered. leaning against the woman with his head lowered.
 You druv me to it," he grunted ag- gressively.
 HOW"
 T dunno how. I can't tell: but you did For ten years you've been drivin' me to 1t, Dorcas-I couldn't stand 1t
 .Humph!' Mrs. cope's throaty ex- clamation was hardly distinct.
 They reached the kitchen The half prepared breakfast was on the range.
 Set down." said the woman, strange ly. Drink this cup of hot tea. Throat hurt your"
 ''N-o-no, not much. Kind of choky. choky."
 He gulped the beverage and held out his cup for more. Dorcas sat and sip ped hers.
 Now then" she said.
 Cope straightened up. "Dorcas, he said, shakily, "have I ever scolded you, or ben mean or overbearin'? Haven't I got you what was necessary Could you call me cranky? Amt I a good husband-take me all round? Forty years this month we've lived together. Our children have growed up and gone. I've worked hard. Folks call me hard man. I've had to be in tradin' and get tin along. Can you say I've ben hard on you?"
 NO" her voice simply negative. Haven't be5n a satisfactory wife? What can you say against meY'
 "Nothin'" Cope spoke wearily. sE1Sh at fs-no-reallV nOthin' q"
 "Then what do you mean by sayin' druv you toto killin' yourself? Didn't you think of me-a good, for bearin' wife-to shoulder such q curse all my days, and you dyin' for noth- in'?"
 "You'd a ben well left and provided for" said Cope. doggedly. Folks would say twas temprary insanity. I'm shook up some, but I ain't crazy. l meant It Livin' don't seem quite so bad as 1t did" He gave Il grim smile, adding. "'Twasn't the way to go, but you'd have be'n better of. Dcrcas. Can you say you wouldn't?'
 You ain't explainin' this" cried his wife, with sudden excitement. The idea of layin' the fault onto me. What is it? You'n tell me, Beccher Cope, I'm endurin'. but this Is past endurin'. Something you've got in your head ag'in me, and I'll know 1t. What have I done?'
 "You've froze mel excaimed her husband. loudly. T dunno how to tell 1t. but that's it."
 And you've froze me" returned Dor cas. her sallow cheeks flaming Its yoar own doing I'll tell you this-I went to the barn to say that meant to leave you-that I'd rather live In refrigerator than go on with never n alpu, I anything