The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-08-12
A LITERARY DUEL
CONTINUED from IagS ~

married and otherwise, who had so
easily fallen under the magic influence
of his wealth and position, it was per- e
haps odd that he had never, hitherto,
had other than the merest, feeting
suspicion regarding his wife's absolute
fidelity. His own prolonged, yet flu
tile. efforts to find the vulnerable point
in the armor of her vestal purity,
coupled with the usual masculine con-
ceit in his power to retain allegiance
once won, had blinded him to that
which, he saw now, should long ago
have been obvious"
"Nick's" Life Like "Nat's?"
Referring later on in her novel to
the "hero's" honeymoon and his
speedy lapse to his former manner of
living Miss Goodrich says:
"In the first months of his mar
riage with Brenda, he had been SUI
premely happy, happier, really, than
he could remember ever having been
before. She was so beautiful that he
believed every man envied him her
possession. And she was, as he put it,
such a good pal He was glad en-
ough to yield to her in some ways.
That she wished him always with her,
merely flattered his natural vanity.
He was willing for her sake and in
compliance with her wishes, to forego
his fixed habit of turning night into
day. He spoke to his friends of the
Inew-found bliss of home and the do
nestle hearth. To this end, he had
even taken a house in Park Lane,
while in London, and an apartment in
Paris. He felt that in this way, he
had done his part. OF late, of course
for the past year, in fact-he had in
measure relapsed into his old custom.
There was no getting over that long
cherished love for the night life of his
own city. At first, he had asked
Brenda to join him. Occasionally, she
had consented; but it was evident that
she was a good deal bored. And after
a while, he had ceased to ask her. Had
he insisted, she might have some reas-
on for complaint. But he had not in
sisted On the contrary, he had let
her have her own way, and go back
to the stage And he was very proud
of her renewed success. If she had
preferred society, he would have made
her a leader. But she didn't care for
that sort of thing"
Shortly after Mick" found that
seemingly discriminating note his wife
appeared in the room. A personal at
= tack seemed imminent, Miss Good
rich says:
His clenched fist still lowered,
poised, but she felt all the dizziness
that might have followed a physical
blow. She staggered, and caught
wildly, desperately, at the chair-back
for support. 1t was only for an instant
however; and then, as desperately, she
clutched at her presence of mind, and
regained it. With defiant toss of her
head, she Strengthened herself, and
took step forward, Drawing the storm
of his wrath"
Although the wife was not struck a
, physical blow, the open charge of the
husband produced such an effect as a
J blow might have.
Writes Miss Goodrich of this scene:
"'Oh, you beast!' she scorned. You
beast!'
"She turned away from him, anC
moved gropingly, towards the door
!. The first sharp, killing pain of the &C
cusation past she felt stunned. 1t was
with torturing effort that she dragged
her feet across the room. Objects hat
, become combined into one gray, in
= determinate blur. She stumbled
against a chair; she bruised hersel
, against the corner of table, yet fel
no bruise. How far-how infinitely faI
a away the door seemed! Vaguely SHE
u heard a dull noise. Then Nick's voice
: as from a great distance, was saying
something-she did not know what"
At the doorway the actress turnet
upon her husband. His face was fam
ing with rage. Miss Goodrich con
tinues:
at was as if a miracle had beel
r wrought for her salvation. Deynar
stood there, helpless; his arms hans
: ing impotently, his face horribly draw,
askew, his heavy underlip dependin
= to one side, and his eyes staring, nc
with passion now, but with sudder
abject terror.
"The absinthe and his unbridle
rage together had done their work.
was a case of partial, temporary para
% lysis."
A Separation Becomes Inevitable.
b. From this point it was obvious t