New-York tribune., 1911-03-19
THE MANAGERS WIFE
CorHmca from page 4

seemed 10 close. For an instant ne had the
impulse To fling himself on John Rhodes and
hight hand To hand for his freedom This
Stalwart, unCouth Southern version of Don
Quixotc was demanding more than his life
And yet. the next instant, he knew with that
lnfalibility with which we know our limi,a-
tons IN supreme crises that, though he was
yielding more than his life. he could not buy
freedom at the immediate risk of his life.
/ here must be some other way out This
was ridiculous, The very abSur1itv of il
made him angry. The Stolid mpaticnce Of
the cOuntryman, as he waited for his an
swcr, infuriatcd him. He saw himself little,
little and absurd, oddly absurd hcplcsSly
absurd, at this Virginia farmers mercy.
Look here, .lohn." he broke out suddenly.
"Be reasonable. Lefty doesn't really love me.
| don't love her. You'd only be making
misery for us both. Why. see here. John,
Ill" He was actually going to propose that
they take shot a, each other in old Virginia
fashion, when John Rhodes interrupted.
"PcaSc not 10 call me by my name. Mr..
Mayo, SAID he. Il don't ste as I've any
call To stand that"
And lnncS chokcd ON his own words. But
now he looked At the other in open anger.
81 think YOU must be crazy" he said At last.
"ThatS nolhin 10 me. said Rhodes.
"What | want is Your word Of honor that
You'll marry Lefty when she's free.
And if | don't PROMISE"
John looked at him TRANQUILITY. 81 told
YOU ! come of bad stock" ne said.
There was dead silence for sometime. Vt
last Rhodes took wad OF paper and a foun-
tain pen from his pocket.
81 want il in writn' too, ne said.
"Do YOU know that You're playing the
part OF a bully and coward. Rhodes" said
lines coldlv. "Do you know that the law
does not recognize oathS made under com
pulSion?"
81 know a Navo'S word once given don't
need no law 10 make il good" said John
Rhodes aS coldlv He put the paper open
on a book and handed them to lnncS.
"Wrtc ii out clear" he said. Its gcttln
toadS mornin'."
HERE the door opened and Lefty came
IL into the room. She was dcathly white.
Her ewes were circlcd almost as from blow.
The child look had gone from her face.
About her bare head her hair hung down in
heavy loops and wavingS. She moved with
a strange, still dignity, like one walking IN
her sleep.
As the two men gazcd at her astounded,
"EcS. | listened, She sad. speaking 10 hcr
husband 81 knew YOU Saw. | was lookin
Your way. followed YOU here. I've been
here ever since YOU came in, there AT that
door had a right to listen. And I've got
a right To say my part, too. She paused
for a moment: then. still To her husband,
"Iohn." she said. "you are too good for me.
And YOU. she turned to lnncs, am good
enough nor bad enough. I've finished.
And with that she went ont as swiftly as
she had entered.
Neither Of the two men said anything;
then John Rhodes took up the bit Of paper
and his pen from the bed where he had
placed them, laid an cnvclop beside lnnes,
and turned 10 leave the room also.
In bound lnncs had reached him. grasp
ing him bv the arm with all his strength.
"Whcrc are YOU going; What are YOU going
TO do;" he cried. beyond al personal fear IN
the dread of some brutal tragedy.
Rhodes looked at him calmly. Almost
mockinglv. lun,s thought. Il heres no
need 10 gc, scared. hc remarked.
Bit YOU can go Ike this. ! must know
what you're going 10 do | must =,
well" said John Rhodes slowly; rs !
don't never expect 20 Scc YOU again, might
as well answer your las, request, ! pose.
I'm going ~ send Lofty 20 school.
l.. l-.,....t i,. i.-f. and The G' her