The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1913-01-25

ny your OWu L W
stop in my own career to conform to
that? Would that be right, now, Lau-
ra, for a man like me?--Is It right for
any man? If you can't go forward,
ought I to go back? If we can't both
travel the same gait, whose gait ought
to govern? Whatever you do, don't
blame me, that's all. But you did
blame me-you do now" A grave
look sat upon his face. He felt him
self an injured man.
yes, John" she said. IT do"
"Of course, OF counsel That's the
reward a man gets for loving his wife,
treating you as | have. Well, we're
not the first to face a situation of Just
this kind. Things travel swifter now
than they did when we were children,
or when we were married. What did
then will not do today. Why blame
ourselves for that?--blame the time,
the way Of the world, the way things
go today. This country has changed
1t goes faster every year. We've got
to keep the pace, ] tell you, when we
get into It. Those who can't must
drop out, and that's all there Is about
!, II. / was born for the front, and that's
| all about that. Don't blame me. I've
never blamed you!"
Then, what do you blame, John?"
Nothing. | say. It's the way life
runs. We're married, why? Because
ve thought we were to have some
| property to protect. There is much to
| be said in favor or the marriage insti-
| tuition. 1t holds property safe under
| it's contract. Property-that's the
sign of powerl Property is the only
reason for marriage; or for govern
ment, when 1t comes to that. Property
is the token OF power. I've got that!
But something else goes with 1t!
| Why, Laura, when | look It US both /
wonder that I've been patient SO long.
held back as ! have been by your own
narrow ideas. If you'd had your way,
you'd have set up Kelly row right
| where we are nowI"
I'm old-fashioned, john" said she,
her head high, though her tears fell
free, I'm just an old-fashioned. worn
1 hNb WiiSs NAdN = I'LL III hOL ~ very
much, John, and / never thought l
was very much. / just did the best
l could, all the time. | couldn't seem
to do any more, John. ! don't know
how. I did my bestl"
1--WE all dol" said John Rawn philo-
sophically. 1--WE all do our best. But
when our best isn't good enough to
keep us up, we go DOWN."
He spoke generously, gravely, ju-
dicially. He was arbiter, In his own
belief, not husband. The country had
changed since they two had married.
Eyes, there's much to be said for
the institution of marriage, Laura" he
repeated after a time. "In fact, 1t is
a necessity. as society is organized.
But divorce Ia a natural corollary OF
marriage. There are contracts, and
broken contracts. That's ALI"
What is IA corollary, John p. she
asked.
IT'S a consequence; II Is something
that follows. / meant to say, that II
1t is right for two people to be mar
ried, 1t is right for them to be d.
vorced when the time comes. It's prop
erty, and the consequences to proper
ty, which sometimes determine that!"
But we said. John, when we we're
married. swore it with all my heart
TIL death do us partl' 1t isn't death.
I wish 1t were!"
mo, It's property" said John Rawn.
"But all this serves no purpose he
continued. II don't want to have you
make this hard for mel"
"Ah. God! How you've changed,
John, since the old times! How you've
changed"
so that's 1t. is it," he rejoined bit
terly, i've only changed, and you're
sorry that I changed. Well, suppose
we agree to that. l have changed"
What do you want me to do, John"
she asked after a time. her breath
still, in spite OF herself, coming In
sobs. when do you want me to go?"
Tomorrow, Laura. There's no use
waiting"
Very well; where shall I GOT"
Why, ] don't dictate to you, Laura
II leave that all for you to determine.
You can be happy az you like, and
where you please. ] would only eug-
gest, ii you ask Inc, that you take up
a residence in some quiet community,
q sort OF place that seems to suit you"
Very well, John; I've not many
friends here to leave, that's true. I've
not been happy here; l never would
be. Ill agree to that much. / believe
I'm go back to our old town-I'd feel
better there!"
You've good judgment, Laura" he
noted with appreciation. What you
say has good sense about 1t. Very
likely you'd be more happy there than
here. But wherever you go. don't for
get your old husband, John. Deep in
my work as l shall be, I will always
think of you, Laura. with nothing but
kindness. ! want you to think that
way OF me-to remember that I've
been kind to you, always. You will,
won't you, dear?"
She did not seem to hear. Her face
was bowed down upon her arms, flung
out across the table. She was an old
l IN chtp-1A ~.~. -AH