The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-04-26

"One Would Think II Was Your
Money"
ter without them, and letting their
own patch run to weeds"
Unanswerable. l held my peace.
What are you going to do about it,
Harvey? How can you be so calm?
Isn't there anything that would rouse
your"
I'm too busy thinking what to do
to waste any energy in blowing off
iatory tone.
But there's nothing we can do"
she retortetd, with increasing anger,
which vented itself toward me be-
cause the true culprit, fate, was not
within reach.
Precisely" 1 agreed. Nothing"
THAT creature won't let him come
to see me-"
And you mustn't see him when he
sends for you" said l, He'll come as
soon as his money gives out. She'll
see that he does"
"But you aren't going to cut him
off"
"Just that" said 1.
A long silence, then I added in an
swer to her expression; And you
must not let him have a cent, either"
In a gust OF anger, probably at my
having read her thoughts, she blurt-
ed out: "One would think it was your
money"
l had seen that thought in her eyes,
had watched her hold it back behind
her set teeth, many times in our mar
rted years. And l now thanked my
stars l had had the prudence to get
ready for the inevitable moment when
she would speak it. But at the same
time l could not restrain a flush Of
shame. 1T is my money" I forced my
self to say. ASK your brother. He'll
tell you what I've forbidden him to
tell before-that I have twice rescued
you and him from bankruptcy"
With our own money" she retort-
ed, hating herself for saying it, but
goaded on by devil that lived in her
temper and had got control many a
time, though never before when I hap
pened to be the one with whom she
was at outs.
'No-with my own" 1 replied tran
GULLY.
Your own!" she sneered Every
/ dollar you have has come through
what you got by marrying me
through what you married me for.
Where would you be if you hadn't
married me? You know very well.
| You'd still be fighting poverty as a
small lawyer in Pulaski, married to
Betty Crosby or whatever her name
was" And she burst into hysterical
| tears. At last she was showing me
the secrets that had been tearing at
her, was showing me her heart where
they had torn it.
Probably" said l in my usual tone,
when she was calm enough to hear
me, $50 that's what you brood over?''
YES" she sobbed. I've hated you
and myself. Why don't you tell me 1t
isn't so? I'll believe it, don't want
to hear the truth. 1 know you don't
love me, Harvey. But just say you
don't love her"
What kind of middle-aged maudlin
moonoshine is this, anyway" said I
Let's go back to Junior We've
passed the time of life when people
can talk sentimentality without be
ing ridiculous
That's true Of me, Harvey" she
said miserably. but not of you. You
don't took a day over 40-you're still
a young man, while L"
She did not need to complete the
sentence. sat on the bed beside heI
and patted her vaguely. She took my
hand and kissed it. And I said
tried to say it gently, tenderly. sin
cerely: People who've been togeth
er, as you and 1 have, see each othe,
always as at first, they say"
She kissed my hand gratefully
again. Forgive me for what 1 said.
she murmured. You know didn',
think it, really. I've got such g
nasty disposition and I felt so down
and-that was the only thing 1 could
find to throw at you"
"Please-please!" I protested. For
give isn't word that I'd have thu
right to use to any one.S
But / must"
Ito he Continued.