El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-09-05

chapter day and has decAed 10 supply
but three charpters a week. Where it
Is possible, The Herald will publish the
chapters every other day, but when
the mails are delayed, it may some
times be necessary to publish two on
successive days, then skip two days.
The Herald hopes the publication can
be made regularly every other dya.-
EditOr.)
CHAPTER XXXIL
AIRY Fletcher did not regain her
M strength as fast as her husband
A'A thought she should. He could
not understand why the doctor and
nurse did not urge her to exert her
self, to conquer the weakness that pos
sessed her. She was still in bed when
the baby was two weeks old and Bert's
mother came out to MiddlebrOOk for
the day to see her first grandchild-
She would not stay over night, she
said, for she did not care to crowd
cottage already over full" If this was
meant as suggestion that Mrs. Dam
forth should nave vacated her room
during the presence of the nurse IN
the household, Mary did not take UNI
bragg at it She had learned to sub
nit to her mOtherinlaW's remarks, and
to believe that back of the rough ana
brutally frank manner was a kindness
that could be depended upon.
Therefore the young mother fOresaw
no unhappiness in the suggestion OF
Mrs. Fletcher enior that she and her
daughterinlaw save a private chat on
the afternoon of her visit, an hour be-
fore time to leave for the return train
to New York. The baby was sleeping
quietly in his cradle, and his paternal
grandmother drew a chair close to the
side of Mary's bed. The invalid
smiled, almost affectiOnately.
1T is good of you" she said, Ito
come out TO see the baby and me today.
Eearly spring out here is rather cold
this year, and the walk from the sta
ton is a muddy one"
oh, 1 didn't mind that" returned
the older woman 4 wanted to SEQ
the baby, and I wanted to say some
thing to you, So I will get right down
to that now"
Then without further preface, she
informed her startled daughterinlaw
of a matter that had been worrying
her-Berts mother-lately- She felt
that Bertst wife should be told that
three times when Bert had stayed IN
town all night ne had come to his
mothers flat, late in the evening,
drunk
4 wouldn't even for his sake, tell
you this before your child was BORN
she said. Nor would 1 tell you until
now that the love of liquors in his
blood. AT least his father used to love
It, but 1 watched him and ruled him
so that he never got drunk after
married him. And Bert's got to be
broke of the habit It's up to you, his
WIFE. 10 do it
The younger woman's wide eyes
fixed on the speakers face with a look
OF entreaty that made the unimpress-
ionable and austere woman glance
away.
What can I do? Please tell mer'
she implored. Z am so ignorant-and
so anxiOusi'
The appeal of her superior wisdom
restored the older wOman's self conf
dence, and there was no note or tender
ness or pity in the businesslike tones
IN which she replied
That's for you to decide. A woman
ought to know how to manage a man
I'll tell you what I mean to do. The
next time that Bert comes to ny
place with signs of liquor on him, I'm
goin' to slam the door in his facei"
An exclamation of dismay from
the shocked listener did not move
No, Mary" she went on. there
amt any use in mincin' matters with |
men. When my son don't act like ne |
should, L don't act to him as the
mother of a good son might act ! /
served my husband the same wav. !
WI hen he behaved himself was
peasant; when he didn't I made him |
pay for It I advice you to stir your /
SELF and set to work at Bert Take /
drink"
She paused. but the wife made no
answer She felt as II she had not /
the strength to speak. Her mother /
inlaW arose
Wen. it's gettin' near train time.
and must be going" she observed. /
made up my mind that you should 1
nave the truth, and my duty's done"
Sne moved her chair back the floor
vibrating under her massive tread. To /
the SICK. woman the room seefed to l
be floating gradually away; she
heard her motherinlaW's voice 1
.0hg distance off calling the nurse;
she was SO tired holding fast that i
she would let herself glide off for
9'
She came to herself with q sudden
oit as II the boat in which she was
lrlItng TO the unknown land had
come to a stop full against a rock.
me par was sickening, and she |
opened her eyes with a gasp. Her
ace was wet and the strong smell !
n coIoShe salts was in her nostrils.
me nurse was standing by her on one I
'lue, bathing her face; her mother. ]
IN tne other side OF the bed, was
loIdlng bottle of salts to her nose.
oOIneWhere In the room the baby was
~ one tried to speak. failed,
men tried again and whispered.
Give me my baby, pleasers
Her mother brought the little one
% her- And then, for the only time
herself.
Il want" she said distinctly. If
no off5ay 10 be left alone with my
me me nurse although having no d.
, ,toIila from training school, under
loo!t women She suggested with
.eclslon that the astonished motherin
a a Ieaye the room, certifying her
,OLlihands with the reminder-'T have
ny ny orders from the doctor that Mrs
IeIcher shall be kept quiet, and /
IN ansWerable to him"
DO"n stairs, Bert Fletcher's mother
.uiI RED away to catch her train back
,o-o .o"n; bidding the nurse a brusque
IN IN the darkened room upstairs,
ldry' TOO tired to think, fell asleep,
~ DaDy close against her heart, her
Iotner within reach Of her hand. For
peaceful hour Bert FIetcher's wife
orgot the domination of his over
O"eflng and crushing personality.
(To be contiuned.)