The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1907-02-22
XIV.
"MY WIFE MUST"


self. | had listened to my death SEN
tence with a face so smiling tat he
must almost have believed me UNI
conscious; and also, it had not even
entered my head as | listened, to
beg for mercy. Not that there would
have been the least use i'm begging;
as well try to pray a statue into life,
as try to soften that set Will and pur-
pose. Still, many man would have
weakened-and | had not weakened.
But when ! was once more in my
apartment-in our apartment-per-
haps | did show that there was a
weak streak through me. fought
against the impulse to see her once
more that night; but | fought in
vain. | knocked at the door of her
sitting-room-a timid knock, for me.
No answer. l knocked again, more
loudly-then a third time, still more
loudly. The door opened and she
stood there, like one 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 |
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 could do anything for
you" In fact, | 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.
NO, thank you" she said. Her
voice seemed that of stranger who
wished to remain a stranger. And
she was evidently waiting for me to
go. You will see what mood was
in when | say felt as had not since
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
unappreciative they had been of such
a treasure as L: and when | saw them
sitting about the big fire in the lamp
light. heartlessly comfortable and un-
concerned, il was all | could do to
keep back the tears of strong self
pity-and | never saw them again.
I've seen Roebuck," said to Anita,
because | must say something, IL
was to stay on.
'Roebuck?" she inquired. Her
tone reminded me that his name con-
veyed nothing to her.
He and l are in an enterprise to-
gether' | explained. HE is the one
man who could seriously cripple me-"
oh" she said. and her indifference,
forced though ! thought il, wounded.
Well" said /, your mother was
right"
She turned full toward me. and even
in the dimness l saw her quick sym
pathy-an impulsive fash instantly
gone. But it had been there!
Il came in here" | went on. ito say
that--Anita, it doesn't in the least
natter No one in this world, no one
and nothing, could hurt me except
through you. So long as / have you,
they-the rest-all of them together
can't touch me-"
We were both silent for several min
utes. Then she said. and her voice
was like the smooth surface of the
river where the boiling rapids run
deep: "But you haveo't me-and
never shall have. I've told YOU that.
warned you long ago. NO doubt you
will pretend, and people viii say. that
left you because you lost your
money But II won't be So"
was beside her instantly, was look
ing into her face. What do you
meant" asked. and did not speak
gently.
fTo be Continued)