The Harlowton news. [volume] (Harlowton, Mont.) 1909-1914, 1910-03-11
CHAPTER VII.
The Joy Of Freedom,


One night at dinner she had deo
from him. He had been drinking more
heavily than usual and was in an ugly
mood. His handsome face was flushed
a savage frown overspread his brow
He had risen during the meal and with
a coarse endearment had attempted
to lay hands upon her-at last! She
had broken away and darted into the
nearest cabin. which happened to be
his own. She had closed the door and
turned the key against him before he
realized what she was about. She !.
stood within the little room, painting,
enraged, fearful, yet ready to defend
her all and almost glad the crisis had
arrived. She could hear his drunken
laugh outside the door.
"Why, you little fooi!" he cried. do
you think can't break that lock down
in a moment? The ships mine, every
man on it's mine. pay 'em. They
do my bidding. have you where /
want you and can have you when
please, now-or later"
Was it true? Could she appeal to the
men? But what could she say? Al
though the world knew there was no
binding tie between them. to the off,
GERS and men Of the yacht she was his
wife. They would not interfere. And
II she declared the truth, she would
put herself beyond the pale of their
sympathies. Being merely stupid men.
with conventional ideas about pro
priety, in that event they would be
less apt to interfere than ever. 1t was
true she could do nothing. She sank
down on q hassock, clenching her
hands.
AS she sat. her eyes fell on a chest
Of drawers screwed against the bulk
head. The top contained various toilet
articles of silver. Among them was a
picture, the picture of woman. 1t
was not her picture. Moved by what
impulse she did not stop to analyze,
she rose and picked it up. The face
she looked at was ineffably vulgar and
common. Across the bottom was writ
ten in a scrawly uniformed hand, "Your
devoted wife," There was date sew.
eral years before that hour. Your de-
voted wife! She had been in that
stateroom before; she had never seen
that picture. He had only brought 1t
out since the rupture between them.
And so while entering into this re-
lationship with her, in compliance
with principles and ideas which she
at least regarded as sacred and holy
he had not been q free man! There
| r. vnhnn1 hn had
been bound. Oh, not by the marriage
tie that she disdained, but by the
honor which was supposed to exist
among thieves and which certainly
should exist among philosophers. Ant
such woman! A cold fury filled hel
mind as she looked at the picture
The last completing touch had beer
given. To contempt and pity for hin
was added hatred. The combination
transformed her. Instead of avoiding
she would seek him.
} He was still in the cabin. She coul'
hear him muttering thickly to himself
Impulsively she stepped to the dool
turned the key in the lock, threw
open and entered the brilliantl
, lighted luxurious cabin He had dill
, missed the attendants some tim
, since with orders not to reappear vi
, less he summoned them, and they wer
!, alone. There was no likelihood Of an
!. interruption whatsoever. The mai
! who was leaning back in his chat
4 bent forward when she opened tn
4 door. He laughed viciously. II sh
). had reflected, she would have ma
!, vsled at the change that few weel
4 had wrought in one whom she hs
; hitherto deemed worthy Of her affe
). ton, but she had eyes and thought Il
- nothing except the business In hand.
4 $50 you've come out, have your"
"a stammered triumphantly. "Come
II your own free will! You've found OF
"a have you, that l am master and "
10 are coming to heel?"
,e He whistled to her derisively, VIII
10 tied as If to dog!
,e "Who is this?" asked the woman
le q voice carefully suppressed, yet viii
re shook with wrath.
as She held the photograph In
tn heavy silver frame w rsfore him.
as THAT'S my wife," said equab
with no surprise or consternati'
1873 I'VE haven't lived together for sol
years." he went on with drunken "a
as nature, "or I'd take you back to 8
he Francisco and introduce you to her.
re "Your wifel" exclaimed the WON
to in that same low. tense voice. 18th
Oh what am IT.
ns my mistress" said the man. blu
I'm ". throwing the last shred OF conct
T. ment and decency to the winds. e
lot q damned obstreperous one ut tbs
,at he went on.
Now, the woman believed In
h,s Providence, but q trick got from
nix ancestry wrung the words from
his lips.
led my God! MY God!" she whisper
as. "You haven't any" sneered
man "YOu told me- 40 yourself.