News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-07-01
ILLUSTRATIONS TROM P PHOTOGRAPHS
u THE STAGE PRODUCTION

Slade tried franticaIly to find rea-
son for his visit. When he had left
town 1t was for the one reason of
trying to bully Mary into leaving the
cottage and agreeing to a divorce
With the complexion of matters so
changed, he was at a complete loss
to explain his visit. He was irri-
tated and annoyed. He was not used
= having the tables so completely
turned on him. More than that, the
little cottage never looked more in
viting. AS a matter of fact, Slade
had often found the demands of his
new life considerable of a nuisance,
and as Whit Of the savory lamb
stew came to his nostrils, a memory
of the peace and contentment of the
old life flashed through his mind.
Nothing at the club had been espe-
cially tasty Of late. More than that,
the drive down had given him an
appetite.
Cooking a stew Nary" he asked
rather abruptly and inconsequen-
tally.
Just one of my old stews," Mary's
voice was Indifferent. She was thor
oughly Disguised with her husband,
now that she knew just what he had
planned to do. Jealousy and out
ragged pride were in her heart This
man, for whom she had worked and
whose very faults and failings she
had loved, had been deliberately
planning to thrust her aside for a
woman who had enjoyed only the
sweets of life, a woman whose youth
and beauty and social position put
Mary completely out of the contest.
The very thought was salt in her
wounded heart
I'll stay to dinner, if l may" an
InouRced Slade, removing his gloves
and laying aside his coat.
Certainly. Take your old chair,
II you like" There was none of the
enthusiasm that might have been in
Marv's voice if he had come earlier
in the day. She was formally, pains
takingly polite. you can talk over
your business while we eat"
Slade watched his wife from under
lowered lids as he ate. He feared
that Mary knew everything This
calm. constrained atmosphere was
more battling than an emotional out
burst would have been.
why did you come, DAM" Mary
was rather enjoying his discontinue.
"Oh, yes, I-I'll take my coffee now,
If may, good and strong"
Mary dropped in two Jumps and
the right amount Of cream, more
from long habit than any desire to
please him.
II came out here to Do you know
i rather like my dinner at noon hour,
like we used to have it here Aren't
you eating?"
"Oh, yes, III eat" replied Mary,
t"but you haven't told me why you
came out"
Il came out here today to remon-
strate with you for living in this
house." Slade blurted out, after a
pause, "but-I've sort of changed
my mind" and he reached for the
pickle jar. These pickles fairly
make my mouth water. They're very
good" he went on, appreciatively.
We'll, what's changed your" Mary
refused to be diverted by the subject !
of dinner at noon or the all-impor-
Itant matter of pickles.
you know I'm kind of glad to see
the place again, and you know, !
like this stew" and he proceeded to !
busy himself with the matter of eat !
ing-anything to gain time under
Mary's merciless, persistent question |
ing.
Have a biscuit" suggested Mary, |
"and-tell me why you came out
here"
Slade looked longingly toward the /
window, as if he expected to find an |
for a suitable answer
there.
why, the old rosebush out there |
yet, holding the fort!" he exclaimed. |
N ~ !