The daily tribune., 1909-05-01
The Choice
By F. Harris Deans

The woman nervously clasped and
up1lasped her hands on her knees
Her face was death-white, except for
two red patches ON her cheeks.
We must deny nothing" she said
at last, controlling her voice.
The man flicked his cigarette ash on
the floor, but made no answer.
Nothing" the woman repeated
fiercely.
The man trowned at his cigarette,
and then rose abruptly TO his feet and
walked to the window. For a moment
| he stood staring gloomily into the
street. The woman watched him anx
iously.
Il don't see why we should take i,
lying down. he jerked out presently.
The woman spoke no word, and the
man could not see her eyes.
We'll have to fight for it, anyhow"
he declared. declsively He'll have a
devilish difficult job to prove any.
| thing"
And If he can't prove anything?"
mess.
The man turned and looked at her
in surprise.
why then It's all right Nothing
happens"
| Il see,' said the woman slowly;
that's the idea-for nothing to hap
pen"
You talk as il you wanted some.
thing to happen"
The woman looked into the dis
| tance.
Il should have thought-you would
| have wanted this TO come"
Wanted It? Good Lord do you
think I'm mad? Who ever wants
thing like that to happen?"
Besides. hang 1t ALL" he cried with
sudden Indignation. you're his wife.
He must be taught he can't chuck you
over Just because it suits his book"
'Oh," said the woman, and there
was touch of irony in her tone, its
for my sake we are going to fight?"
"Of course. You don't seem to
realize what your position would be IL
he won. And there's the boy. too;
you must think of him."
DO you think l haven't thought of
him." she cried with sudden passion
DO you think I've waited for this mo-
ment to think of him-and decide? |
settled all that with myself at the very
first. What sort of woman do you
think ann"
The man looked at her uncompre-
hendingly.
You mustn't talk like that" he said
soothingly-"you're no worse than
most of them"
The woman turned sharply, as II she
would strike him.
Thank you" she said scornfully.
You understand me so beautifully"
she explained Your consolation is so
gratifying-and delicate"
The man shrugged his shoulders
with an angry frown.
It's no good rowing" he said,
we've got to hang together in this
thing"
The woman took cigarette from a
box on the table and lighting it.
smoked thoughtfully.
DO you remember" she asked.
'once saying you wished you had met
me before | married him?"
Yes" he said sulenly.
Did you mean it? You can tell me
now, you know"
"Yes. / suppose l did. Well. yes !
did. do now, If 1t comes to that
why?"
Nothing" said the woman slowly,
only"
For a wonder the man partly under.
stood her.
Do you think I'm blackguard?" he
burst out. "of course, | shall if"
IF you must" suggested the woman
with a twisted smile.
III It's necessary" he replied short.
ly But It won't be necessary. He's
got no proof. Suspicion won't help
him much"
And me? Has 1t occurred to you
to think about me? II won't be par
ticularly agreeable to have been sus-
pected."
It's better than being found out"
answered the man grutny.
The woman looked with stony eyes
along the two avenues Of which the
future proffcred her choice.
She looked at the set face OF the
man.
Yes. suppose 1t is," she assented.
with a sigh.