Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-01-04

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"FooLr SHE FLARED AT NE. oh,
THE FOOLS WOMEN MAKE OF
/. MEM"
lures and my keeping away from her
ever since would not have justified her
in almost anything.
She flushed the dark red of shame,
but her gaze held steady and unfiinch-
ing upon mine. 1T was not altogether
by accident" she said. And | think
slle expected me to kill her.
? When a man admits and respects
q woman's rights where he is him.
self concerned, he either is no longer
interested in her or has begun to love
her so well that he can control the
savage and selfish instincts of pas
sion. If Mowbray Langdon had been
there, | might have killed them both;
but he was not there, and she, facing
me without fear, was not the woman
to be suspected of the stealthy and
traitorous.
1T was he that you meant when
you warned me you cared for another
man." said |, so quietly that | won.
dered at myself; wondered what had
become of the BLACK Matt" who had
used his fists almost as much as his
brains in fighting his way up.
Yes" she said, her head down
now.
A long pause.
You wish to be free?" asked, and
my tone must have been gentle.
u wish to free YOU" she repiied
Slowly and deliberately.
There was long silence. Then
l said: Il must think it all out |
once told you how | felt about these
matters. I've greatly changed my
mind since our talk that night in the
Willoughby; but my prejudices are
still with me. Perhaps you will not
be surprised at that-you whose pre-.
JUDGES have cost me so dear"
| thought she was going to speak.
Instead she turned away, so that /
could no longer see her face.
Our marriage was q miserable
mistake" | went on, struggling to be
just and judicial. and to seem calm.
Il admit it now. Fortunately, we are
both still young-you very young.
Mistakes in youth are never fatal.
But. Anita, do not blunder out Of one
mistake into another. You are no
longer a child, a. you were when I
married you. You will be careful not
to let judgments formed OF him long
ago decide you for him as they de-
cided you against me-"
Il wish to be free" she said, each
word coming with an effort, AS much
on your account as on my own"
Then, and 1t seemed to me merely a
truly feminine attempt to shirk re-
sponsibility, she added, Il am glad
my going will be relief to YOU"
"Yes, it will be a relief" | con.
fessed. Our situation has become
intolerable." I had reached my limit
OF self-control. | put out my hand.
"Good-by." I said.
II she had wept 1t might have modi-
6ed my conviction that everything
was at an end between US. But she
did not weep. Can you ever forgive
met" she asked.
Lets not talk of forgiveness" said
|. and | fear my voice and manner
were grun, as strove not to break
down. Lets try to forget" And |
touched her hand and fastened away. |
When two human beings set out to |
misunderstood each other, how fast |
and far they go! How shut-in we
are from each other, with only hating |
means Of communication that break |
down under the slightest strain!
As l was leaving the house next
morning. gave Sanders this note for |
her:
81 have gone to live at the Down.
town hotel. When you have decided
what course to take, let me know. II
my rights ever had any substance,
they have starved away to such weak
things that they collapse even as try
to set them up. hope your freedom
will give you happiness and me
peace"
"You are Ill, SIR" asked my old
my old friend, as he took the
note.
Stay with her, Sanders, as long as
she Wishes" said l, ignoring his ques.
tion. Then come to me-"
His look made me shake hands
with him. AS | did It. we both re-
membered the last time we had
shaken hands-when he had the roses |
for my Homecoming with my bride.
1t seemed to me l could smell those
roses.