The Washington times., 1909-03-14

take
What do you mean by that?r de-
manded Wharton Have I failed in
any way as a husband?-
Yes, WIZ, you have"
In what way2" demanded Wharton.
his face red and his eyes gazing so in
tently at her that she was forced TO
lower her own.
Why ask me?'' she replied you
know all your shortcomings as well as
1 know them. Indeed. YOU know them
better, for you've had "A longer time to
study them. In the first place. YOU
weren't e. actly honest with me when
We were married"
How dare you say I wasn't honest
with you! In what way was 1 anything
else2' cried Wharton, IS he strobe over
10 where she sat and strove TO intimi-
date her by his manne.
Betty. however. was no. TO be fright
ened. She had started on. 20 speak her
mind, and she never lost sight of that
fact.
You told me that you had a steady
income"
And so I had, from my position as
auditor"
Yes That's true. But you let me
think that you referred TO something
else. You gave me TO understand that
you were not dependent upon your po-
sition; that you had private means In
other words, you deceived re into think
ing that YOU had plenty of money"
of course, II you wanted TO think
that you were privileged to do So an
swered Wharton Il can't be blamed
for what YOU thought"
oh. yes, you can, too. for you de-
liberately did it. / haven't said any
thing before, but / think the time has
now come. You knew very well that
that was something II your favor.
There were other men who loved me
and wanted to marry me. But you
took good care TO get rid OF them all.
You were so kind, so thoughtful, so at
tentive, and spent money so lavishly on
me that it was perfectly natural I
should prefer you TO all the others.
none OF whom / loved When L told
you 1 wasn't sure OF the strength Of my
affection for you, you answered that
that would all come out right in time -
Wharton stood listening to her words
in speechless amazement.
I was honest with you" continued
Betty I told you that / cared mere
for you than I did Tor anyone 1 had
ever known. out wasn't convinced
that YOU were the sne man such as I
had read about in books
And YOU have the nerve to look me
ina the face and ten me ali this rubbish
over again now, after we have been
married almost year, angrily de-
manded Wharton, seizing her by the
arm
YES braveiy answered Betty. I
have just as much nerve as that. am
trying to make you see the difference
in our positions. You deceived me in
the very start Things were nothing
like you promised they should be. And
my affection hasn't grown as you pre-
dicted II would. However. that isn't
what / am complaining about mean
about the affection. There has never
been anyone / preferred TO you, so
determined 10 90 on my own way and
make the best Of everything.
indeed" said Wharton. but he wait
ei for the rest Of hex story.
A natural curiosity held him 10 the
spot He could have left the room
That would have been an easy matter
But he remained
we might just as well be frank with
each other" continued Betty. Il gladly
did all the homework and wore MY old
clothes and never required such amuse-
n1ent as somo women demand, and had
you appreciated these things 7 would
have gone on forever and You would
never have known"
That's right. pile Il up and make a
martyr OF yourself ieered Wharton.
But I have reached the end of my
patience and Of my good temper" went
on Betty I'm tired Of it all You
have never understood me and you
never will 1 don't ask for much ia
this life 1t isn't the money 1 want
It's just kindness. Not great deal OF
kindness, but some OF il and a little
sympathy.
Nothing / do OF late has pleased
you. Your ideas never egree with T.Iine
You accept what / do as a matter of
course so long as il fits In with your
ideas. When il doesn't. then I'm a fail
ure, a miserable specimen of a woman
and all the rest OF the common terms
which commonplace men would be like
~ 10 apply to their wives / have
reached the limit of my endurance. and
I tell you ] won't have any more of II.
Do you understand? I won't have any
more of it
Wharton didn't attempt TO reply. He
knew better than 10 endeavor to stem
the torrent Of words which flowed from
her lips.
You have treated me as a child when
I'm nothing OF the sort. continued
Betty. You won't even accord me the
intelligence OF the average woman. And
now YOU try To cause me TO change my
plans wren I know that ] am doing the
right thing. You Try TO convince me
that 1 am beirg brutal in insisting
upon appearing tomorrow at court. For
once, ! must tell YOU, win. that 7 mean.
to do exactly as 1 want 10 do.
What d" you mean by thatT'' asked
W harton. in a low, tense voice
lie knew very WCII what she meant.
but he wanted TO make sure OF a.
Il mean that YOU can notify the DO
lice or not that you wish 20 drop the
charge against Nelson" said Betty in
firm voice, as she picked I'D her hat
and coat DO just as YOU please. From
this time Oh ] propose 10 do AS I please
You CAL up the police If YOU like"
'-WheTc-where are YOU gOing?'' de-
manded Wharton with a nervous twitch-
Ing at the corners Of his mouth
Pm going 10 the police station, and
] shall tell the captain everything" an
sWeTed Betty.
The next instant the hail door slam
med behind her and Wharton sank
frr HraH me.