The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-12-20

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ing. You will not agree 10 ito T,
what? You are unreasonable. Whar
81 subject have | brought up"
1t Is very true that we have d-iftec
TOO far apart TO be as we were in III,
beginning. But there is still some
tnlng left to me, and this something
shall cling TO as long as can mean
10 avoid the publicity. the open expos
ure the shame of-of-a neglected
wife"
My Cod whispered Gregory. tall
ing back. then somebody has told YOU
about Springticld-it was Franz"
i don't know what you mean" she
returned. apparently without emotion
What ] mean is, that | shall never
consent TO a divorce"
"A divorce? Good heavens. Lucy,
are you mad? Do you think | want
a separation because you disown the
church? What have | ever done 10
make you imagine such an absurditv -
She answered gently, Yes, it seems
| misunderstood But you said you
wanted me TO discuss the future in a
matter-offact way, and couldn't
think of the future as having any other
matter-of-fact solution"
Gregory was hotly indignant. Lucy.
II that is meant as an insinuation
against"
Mrs. Gregory raised her hand com
pellingly. DO not speak any name"
she said. looking at him steadily. 81
can endure much" she went on. in q
milder tone. finding him silent: 81
often wonder if many women could en-
dure as silently-but there must never
be name mentioned between US"
Her manner was so unwontedly
final, that he stood looking at her, not
knowing how to resume the pressing
subject of mis- past. They were in that
same silent attitude when Grace Noir
came in from the hall
Grace TUNED up the lights, and then
-"Oh!" 1t was impossible to prevent
an unpleasant compression of the
mouth at discovering Gregory so near
his wife. Am | In the way? I am
looking for company, and | heard the
doorbell-please excuse mel" she add
ed. biting off the words.
of course you are not in the way"
Gregory returned desperately. Com
pany. you say? And you heard the
doorbell--is Bob Clinton" He grew
white. MY eyes are bad, for some
reason" he muttered, and switched off
the lights again.
How very dark you have 1t in
here!" said Grace reprovingly. "Of
course Mr.. Clinton has been shown ]
the back-parlor, where it is light. / |
will 90 to him there. and leave you
two" she paused irresolutely, but |
neither spoke.
Grace had no sooner gone than Greg
DRY with an effort found his voice. |
Lucy, Iny conscience has tormented |
me until it will not let me rest-about
you. It's right to know something
more about my life than | have ever
told"
Right in there" said the maids
voice, from the hall, and Abbott Ash
ton and Robert Clinton entered the
half-light
While. Robert was greeting Mrs.
Gregory with exaggerated pleasure, in
order to escape facing her husband,
Abbott spoke to the other with an odd
sense of meanness. as If he partook.
by mere nearness, of the others cow
ardice. Il wish to speak to you for
4 few minutes, Mr.. Gregory"
Gregory, like an animal brought to
bay, said. 81 suppose you've some ex-
;use about playing cards with Fran"
More important than playing
,ards. ? Abbott returned.
Gregory fought off the inevita BILE:
If you refer to losing your position
It the public school"
NO, Clinton has come home from
springfield. and we have a matter" ,
IT'S pressing business" spoke up
robert, who all this time had been
skiing Mrs. Gregory If her mother was ;
veil, il Simon Jefferson was no worse, ,
Fran was hearty, if Grace Noir was ,
t homeland private business"
81 have no business" Mr.. Gregory ,
reclaimed. in fear, that my wife need
OF know"
This is" cried Robert Then re-
1embering. he struck the keys a re-
ounding chord.
Mrs. Gregory was about to leave
he room. r
mo, no." exclaimed Mr.. Gregory. r