The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-30
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 Rut Tankerlane, in spite of the self restraint he exercised on these occa- sions was beginning to reach the end of his patience. For d whole year ne tried to win his wife's love. by every measure in his power, and the more she repulsed him. the more hercely aid hesiong to break down the barrier be- tv,nen them. He chafed bitterly. at her indifference, and, though he repressed his anger 1t would have been better if hes had not done so. for the pent-up fires accumulated till his strength of mind was no longer able to restrain them.
 ft4yvas after one of his vain attempts atFloye making that the crust of the volcano was at last shattered. and the red d-hot stream of his wrath poured out in ka torrent of words. He had been pleading gently for his wife's love, and shk had listened to him with a calm, wfiite face. Then, as usual no paused heAitated. and staplmered out a few brSken sentences. which were frozen into silence Then he rose to his feet and walked towards the door, but be- fore he reached it, he turned and came back with clenched hands and blazing eyes. bitter invective, and sneers, and accu- raffons, and foul oaths that no woman co;ild hear without shame.
 Rut Laura faced him unfitnchingiy' win pale lips, and quiet pity in her eyes She realized that she had come to another turning point on the steep road of her life, and that .she mlght vet once more have to decide between good and evil, and that she would need all the strength of her religion 10 guide her steps aright
 AZ last the fury of Tankerlane's out burst exhausted itself, and he stood waiting for reply with flushed face and quivering limbs. All the good or the past year had been swept away In that one trade of extrayagant abuse: Tiie man had forgotten himself and had forgotten the respect due to wo- man. He had spoken like madman. All that he had suffered found vent Tn foul language and bitter denuncfation.
 Yet Laura did not vince as she iis- tened to him She stood like some raf,n and beautiful saint with pity in her eyes. She knew we'll enough what this last year must have meant to the mar. who loved her with all his heart ana soul How even her life of piety and charity must have eaten into his heart. Yet he had never protested. and had given her all the help in his power. He had never thrust his soci- ety on her; he had pleaded to her for the love she denied him, but his plead inss had never passed a certain point Her silence had always checked him. ana he had retired from the struggle without even a word of rebuke.
 And now that he had lost all his self control, and was behaving more like a brute beast than an English gentleman, she did not even resent his language, though the wife of a costermonger might have fled from 1t with her fin- gers in her ears. A year ago she would f.f ftra ioathing, but she had learnt to be more charitable to the sins of others. Sh4 realized how he must have suffered before he allowed himself to give way to this horrible outburst. She trem- bled for the consequences, for sine knew that this interview might mark another epoch in her life. But she remembered that soft answer turneth away wrath. and she hoped to avert a fierce eatas- trophe.
 Have you nothing to say2" he cried harshiy. after a pause. why do you stand there like a plaster saint? Have you no answer to give me?'
 A bitter rebulSe, few words of un- utterable scorn came into her mind, but she checked them before they rose to her lips
 T have no answer to give you" she replied m&NEkiys 'save that am to blame, and T am sorry for you.r
 You are my wife" he exclaimed hoarsely, syet you have been no wife to me. Is this what you have learnt from religion--to be kind and gracious 10 everyone but your husband, to de- vote your life to charity. and neglect the man who needs your lover"
 T have tried to do my duty to you" she replied with downcast eyes.
 Your duty, yes; and you have done 1t well-as housekeeper, as friend, but as a wife--I ask for love and you give nae duty; for bread and you give me stone"
 You know cannot love you" she replied sadly. T would do so, if I could control my heart. But love can not come from an effort of the will. I