The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-06-14

was because of the letter Mr.. Under
wood wrote me, but guess it's what
you say. His old friends won't have
anything to do with him and-he's
lonely. Well, I'll talk it over with
him"
''Yes-talk IT over with him"
Did you promise his father you'd
ask me?" she demanded.
"No--not exactly" he replied. hest
tatingly.
Annie looked at him frankly.
"Howard's a pretty good fellow to
stand by me in the face of all that's
being said about my character, isn't
he, doctor? And I'm not going to
stand in his light, even If 1t doesn't
exactly make me the happiest woman
in the world, but don't let II trickle
into your mind that I'm doing it for
his fathers sake"
At that moment Howard entered
from the inner room. He was sur
prised to see DR.. Bernstein.
How do you feel today" asked the
doctor.
First rate! Oh, I'm all right. You
see. I'm just going to eat bite. Won't
you join u.s."
He sat down at the table and picked
up the newspaper, while Annie busted
herself with carrying in the dishes.
NO. thank you" laughed the doctor.
IT'S too early for me. I've only Just
had breakfast l dropped in to see
how you were" Taking up his bag,
he said: 'Good-by! Don't get up. |
can let myself out"
But Annie had already opened the
door for him, and smiled a farewell.
When she returned to her seat at the
head Of the table, and began to pour
out the coffee. Howard said:
He's a pretty decent fellow, isn't
he?"
Yes" she replied, absent-mindedly,
as she passed cup of coffee.
He made monkey of Capt. Clin.
ton all right" went on Howard. What
did he come for?"
ITO see you-of course" she re.
piled
oh. I'm all right now" he replied.
Looking anxiously at his wife across
the table, he said: You're the one
that needs tuning up. heard Won
crying last night. You thought I was
asleep, but wasn't. didn't say any
thing because-well-I felt kind of
blue myself"
Annie sighed and leaned her head
on her hand. YEARLY she said:
I was thinking over all that we've
been through together, and what
| they're saying about US"
Howard threw down his newspaper
impadently.
Let them say what they like. WHY
should we care as long as we're
| happy"
His wife smiled sadly.
Are We happy?" she asked. gently
of course we are" replied How.
ard.
She looked up and smiled. II was
good to hear him say so, but did he
mean it? Was she doing right to
stand in the way of his career? WouId
he not be happier If she left him? He
was too loyal to suggest it, but per.
| haps in his heart he desired 1t. Look
ing at him tenderly, she went on.
Il don't question your affection fo,
me, Howard. l believe you love me-
| but I'm afraid that, sooner or later
you'll ask yourself the question all
your friends are asking now, the ones.
| ton everybody seems to be asking /"
What question:" demanded How.
ard.
Yesterday the bell rang and a gen.
tleman said he wanted to see You 7
told him you were out, and he said
I'd do just as well. He handed me q
card. On it was the name Of the news.
paper he represented"
"Weu?"
He asked me If 1t were true that
proceedings for a divorce were about
to be instituted. If so. when? And
could | give him any information on
the subject? l asked him who wanted
the information and he said the read.
ers OF his paper-the people, believe
he said over a million of them. Just
think, Howard! Over a million peo-
pie. not counting your father, your
friends and relations, all waiting to
know why you don't get rid of me,
why you don't believe me to be as bad
as they think l am"
Howard raised his hand for her
to desist
"Annie-please!" he pleaded.
That's the fact, isn't it?" she
laughed.
No"
His wife's head dropped on the table
She was crying now.
I've made a hard fight, Howard"
she sobbed, but I'm going to give up
I'm through-T'm through"
Howard took hold of her hand and
carried it to his lips.
Annie. old girl" he said, with some
feeling. Il may be weak, may be
blind. but nobody on top of Gods green
earth can tell me that you're not the
squarest, straightest little woman that
ever lived | don't care a damn what