The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1914-08-27
CHAPTER ix-Continued.


Conscious Of the song. Mary remem-
bered the lamb stew that she had left
cooking on the kitchen fire. Dan had
always loved lamb stew; that Ia. her
lamb stow. She remembered how
heartily he always ate of 1t, how he
never failed TO pass his plate for =
second helping" and how he used
to look up at her and say:
This Is tapping good. Mary. l
think l will have . bit more
Just as II he needed any urging!
Mary found her thoughts growing
very tender when she suddenly re-
membered that tonight she must sit
down alone at the table. that instead
OF two she would only serve one plate
fui OF that stew Her heart contracted
with pathetic. futile longing for
things AZ they used to be-" and grew
bitter as she remembered conditions
as they were. she sat with her face
ptllowed on her arms. so absorbed in
her unhappy reflections that she didn't
hear the door open. didn't hear a step
until someone leaned over aid kissed
her tenderly on the faded cheek that
Dan used to pat so lovingly and declare
WAS lovclier than their garden roses
oh. Rob-" Mary exclaimed. start
ing up IN glad surprise. Il didn't hear
you drive up"
Il didn't" Bob laughed. good
naturedly. My car is stranded two
blocks back" and he threw his linen
duster on the sofa as Mary FASTENED
in her fond little way to take his hand
and hover about him.
ITS strange how near town this
place seems to be-" Bob ratified on
When We lived here before 1t was
i. clear out In the country. but with
a motor car It's right next door to
town"
Well aunty," and he stretched
himself out In an easy chair. Il sup
pose it's like heaven to you to get
back here to the old home you lived
In so many years.
Yes" Mary agreed. rather indifYer-
emily.
Any OF the old neighbors left. I'd
like to see them-some OF EN-"
Il never noticed before how many
questions old neighbors could ask.
Rob-" Mary sighed. as she recounted
the curious visits Of her old friends.
who had inquired anxiously and re-
peatedly for Mr.. Slsde. how he was
getting on. and when he would be
down. and a dozen other questions In
the phraseology OF people who. as old
friends. take tho liberty OF coming a.
near as possible TO demanding that
you unburden your soul to them on
the spot You'll kind OF have to
dodge en- Bob. | don't know when
I've He'd so. What do you think OF
Q man who forces u woman to lie!"
Well" Hayes hated the old subject,
hated the thought OF Mary dwelling
continually on her unhappiness.
Didn't they know about Slade?" and
he began TO toy with the spools OF
thread that Mary had been using for
the inevitable sewing that had 30 an
noyed her husband.
Either they don't know or they
want to find out more than they al
ready know" Mary answered. YEARLY.
so l sit here lying and lying"
You intend to stick II out and stay
here!"
Yes" Mary answered with a quiet
determination.
Well. ne can't call this desertion."
Hayes went on. You own this house
together. It's your home as we'll as
his"
Yes" agreed Mary. but It's awful
hghting my husband. What's the mat
tar with you. Bob, You used 10 tell
me lot about Miss Strickland. and
lately you-hAve you had any trouble!"
she asked. kindly. forgetting her own
sorrow at the thought of the possible
she loved as tenderly AZ II he had been
her own son.
Don't let US talk about her." Bob
objected.
"All right. Robert" Mary attempted
to be CHEEKY as she saw how abstract.
ed and detected Bob was. Dinner
will be ready in q minute and you
can sit right down"
Il won't give In to HIM" she de-
clared a. she put on an extra plate
and knife and fork. IN never give
him that divorce"
Don't you ever think OF anything
else'" Hayes questioned. soberly.
No: it's no use. Robert; ! get hot
and cold hating my husband when
think how he ID treating me. know
tie wrong. but do! Sometimes when
wake up suddenly In the night and
SO tAs cd room and remember that