Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-07-18
"MY WIFE MUSTI"

AS l drove away, l was proud of my,
self. l had listened to my death e n
tence with a face so smiling that he
must almost have believed me un-
conscious; and also, it had not even
entered my head, as l listened, to
beg for mercy. Not that there would
have been the least use in begging;
as well try to pray a statue into life,
as try to soften that set will and pur-
pose. Still, many a man would have
newfoundland l had not weakened.
But when l was once more in my
apartment-in our apartment-per.
haps | did show that there vas q
weak streak through me. l fought
against the impulse to see her once
more that night; but l fought in
vain. I knocked at the door Of her
sitting-room-a timid knock, for me.
No answer I knocked again, more
~loudly-then a third time, still more
loudly. The door opened and she
stood there, like n of the angels
that guarded the gates of Eden after
the fall. Only, instead of a flaming
sword, hers was of ice. She was in
a dressing-gown or tea gown, white
and clinging and full of intoxicating
hints and glimpses of all the beauties
of her figure. Her face softened as
she continued to look at me, and l
entered.
"No-please don't turn on any more
lights" | said, as she moved toward
the electric buttons. Il just came
in toto see if l could do anything for
you" In fact, l had come, longing
for her to do something for me, to
show in look or tone or act some
sympathy for me in my loneliness
and trouble.
mo, thank you," she said. Her
voice seemed that of a stranger who
wished to remain a stranger. And
she was evidently waiting for me to
go. You will see what a mood l was
in when | say | felt as | had not since
|, a very small boy indeed, ran away
from home; | came back through the
chilly night to take one last glimpse
of the family that would soon be
realizing how foolishly and wickedly
un%appreciative they had been of such
a treasure as l; and when I saw them
sitting about the big fire in the lamp
light, heartlessly comfortable and I'M
concerned, 1t was all | could do tc
keep back the tears of strong self
pity-and | never saw them again.
i've seen Roebuck," said | to Anita
because l must say something, if
was to stay on.
"Roebuck?" she inquired. He,
tone reminded me that his name con
veyed nothing to her.
HE and | are in an enterprise to
gether," l explained. He is the ont
man who could seriously cripple me.
"Oh," she said, and her Indifference
forced though l thought it, wounded
We'll" said 1, your mother wa
right"
She turned full toward me, and evel
in the dimness | saw her quick sym
pathy-an impulsive flash Instant,
gone. But it had been there!
Il came in here" | went on, ito sa,
!, that-Anita, it doesn't in the leas
, matter. No n in this world, no on
and nothing, could hurt me excep
through you. So long as have you
they-the rest-all of them together
can't touch me"
! We were both silent for several mir
} utes. Then she said, and her voic
! was like the smooth surface of tn
! river where the boiling rapids ru
: deep: "But you haven't mean
never shall have. I've told you tina.
I warned you long ago. No doubt yo
will pretend. and people will say, tina
I left you because you lost you
r money. But it won't be So"
> + was beside her instantly, was lool
ing into her face. what do 70
! mean?" I asked, and ! did not spea
7 gently.
ITO be Continued.)