The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1907-08-22
XIV,
"MY WIFE MusTl"

AS drove away, was proud of my. |
self. | had listened TO my death SEN
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 | 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 VIII and pur
pose. Still, many man would have
newfoundland l 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; brit | fought in
vain ! knocked at the door of her
sittingroom-a timid knock, for me.
No answer. | knocked again, 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 flaming
| sword, hers was of ice. She was in
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" l said, as she moved toward
the electric buttons. Il just came
in toto see IL 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.
mo, 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
|, 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
unappreciative they had been of such
a treasure as / and when | saw them
sitting about the big fire in the lamp
light, heartlessly comfortable and UNI
concerned, it was all | could do to
keep back the tears of strong self
pity-and never saw them again.
I've seen Roebuck," said l to Anita,
because | must say something. IL
was to stay on.
"Roebuck?" she inquired. Her
: tone reminded me that his na1he con-
veyed nothing to her
He and 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 l thought it, wounded
Well" said /, your mother was
, right"
. She turned full toward me, and ever
in the dimness | saw her quick sym
, pathy--an impulsive fash instantly
= gone. But 1t had been there!
, 81 came in here" l went on, ito ga,
4 that-Anita, it doesn't in the ieas
. matter. No one in this world, no ont
a and nothing, could hurt me excep
; through you So long as have you
!. they-the rest-all OF them together
II can't touch me-"
We were both silent for several min
q utes. Then she said, and her voic
n was like the smooth surface of tn
river where the boiling rapids rul
deep: "But you haven't me-an
a never shall have I've told you thai
- | warned you long ago. No doubt 70
will pretend, and people will say, tina
, left you because you lost you
;. money. But 1t won't be So"
a was beside her instantly, was lool
a ing into her face. What do yo
" mean?" | asked. and | did not spea
l. gently.
o Ito be Conhnuedl