Arizona republican., 1907-02-07


her recreant husband or speak to him
any unnecessary words.
Set down." he again commanded In
a hard. cold voice.
She looked at him piteously. her lips
qnivering. and again shook her head.
You set down and eat along, or
don't eat one bite"
LiZzie's face grew a little whittier and
her eyes more distressed. But she re-
manned mute and resolute.
"All right, If you want TO make US
both sick Yet that's your anairs!"
Pushing back his chair he strobe to
the door. At the threshold he turned
nnd spoke.
IT'S easy seen you Amt got no love
to me or YOU couldn't act Ike what your
actin'"
This was hard TO bear I'm silence when
II was out Of love for him and concern
for his souls salvation that she put
herself to this torture.
Dan Went out and did not come home
gain until o'clock that night.
1t was the first Sunday in their mar
ried life that they had not spent TO-
gether.
He did not find his wife in their BOD
room when he came in. Through the
open door he saw that she was lying
on the settee in the sitting room She
was holding out in way that even
In his jealous. wounded wla;h and pain
made him marvel al her strength and
courage
And now began period in their lives
that in after years they did not Ike 10
remember Through three long weary
months the sun in the heavens was Tor
them blotted out. In all that time
though living under one roof, they were
as strangers to one another or worse.
Implicitly. as Of old. Lizzie obeyed her
husbands least wish-save only when
il conflicted with her church's disci-
pline. But in her loyapy TO her relig-
ious faith she remained immoyable.
Occasionally Dan would give vent to
his feelings n an outbreak OF bitter
harshness toward her But invariably
he would repent him Of this. for he
could not be- adamant 10 the powerful
appeal Of her evident anguish.
SO the weeks moved on. filed with
the keenest suffering To both. and with
no sign OF yielding i'm either.
Dams bitterness grew upon him "a
week after week she continued To- hold
out" At last one day. when she was
taking her solitary meal in the kitchen.
he came To her with question.
Lizzie" he said. speaking more gen
thy than he had done for long time.
how long will 1t go till you give in TO
me2 ] Amt standing this here thing
much longer Lizzie"
hefed 10 her resolve To hold no unnec-
cssary verbal communication with him
that ne scarcely hoped for an answer
TO his inquiry. But this time she raised
her sad eyes To his face and gazed At
him steadfastly. as she replied. IT'LL
you give yourself up again. Dan I en-
terrain a hope fur you. The Brothers
and Sisters entertains a hope. too"
Dan saw with clear-eyed vision. Is
he met her transparent gaze. that new
"r. never would she WELD in this mat
ter II their old relation was 10 be re-
stored. il would be he-great. strong.
masterful Pennsylvania Dutchman that
he was-who would have to give in.
And that was what ne knew he would
never do. Rather would he pack up.
bag and baggage, and leave her To her
Mennonite Brethren and her Rules
since she p referred them before him.
He would not. he could not. give in to
her.
But as ne looked at her. suddenly for
the first time he became conscious 81
the great change that had been wrought
in her in the past months. change
that somehow made her appear remote
and unfamiliar 10 his eyes. Her daily
spiritual struggle had given to her
countenance a look Of other worldliness.
an exalted expression that seemed to
see beyond the things Of earth.
And there was borne in upon Dams
consciousness. as he continued 10 look
upon this new and unfamiliar face Of
his wife the realization Of another
change. His heart contracted with a
sharp agony as he saw this alarming
fact. How could he have been so blind.
he wondered. in all these weeks, not To
have seen it coming on-her dreadful
palor and thinness and that frail droop
Of her whole Frame
You amt eat.n' very hearty. Lizzie
he tenderly said as he noticed the
scant supply OF food on her plate. Your
just pickin piece Cmincingl. Why
don't you eat more hearty
Lizzie slipped her weak coffee and
made no answer.
Il take notice your hands are gettin'
so wonderful poor Ohin), Lizzie" Dan
went on in a troubled tone.
Lizzie said nothing.
why don't you take some spread I
in's?" he continued. pushing the butter
and the current Jelly within her reach. !
She shook her head.
Are YOU gettin' to feel sneaky (choi-
Cyl about your yictuals?"
She did not reply.
Shall ] get you a bottle Of the San I
tive Compound or some pills or what |
ever?"
She gave him a look that expressed |
her thanks, but shook her head.
Nom she took seven bottles Of the |
Compound when she was feelin' mean I
and It set her up wonderful"
Again Lizzie shook her head.
where are you feclin' mean that /
you've got so poor lookin' at your face |
and hands, Is it your s;omeek or
WHAT"
Silence was his response.
Damn it. Lizzie," he burst forth in I
an AGONY of mind. Answer to me-"
She sank back in her chair and star
ed up on him-and suddenly, her eyes /
rolled back in her head. her face turned |
marble white, her head fell forward on
her breast.
Dams heart stood still with terror Was /
she dead? The blackness Of the pit /
yawned at his feet In an instant Of |