News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-06-03
CHAPTER vi.

CHAPTER vi.
'Mrs. Slade won't sign over the cot
tage," Hayes began abruptly. II cam
do anything more"
"She must" Slade uttered the
words through set teeth. "She CAM
live there. Robert, you are the only
person who knows us both thoroughly
l want you to bring this matter to q
finish quietly and kindly and-now.'
why don't you see her and have
it out with herr" Hayes suggested.
eve had it out the night left the
house and told her not to wait up for
me-" Slade reminded him. 81 never
quarrel with anyone more than once
He eyed Hayes critically for min,
ute. You're with me, aren't you?''
as if an idea had just occurred to
him.
I'm awfully sorry for Mrs. Slade, "
Hayes began, when Slade interrupted.
I Look here, Hayes want d.
vorce," and he seated himself squarely
in front Of the astonished Hayes.
a. divorce?"
"That's what l want" and his lips
shut grimly.
But, my God!" Hayes was amazed.
"You didn't want it in the first place.
All you wanted was to live your own
life. Do you expect me to help you
get rid of Mrs. Slade?"
Don't go crazy" Slade advised, not
a suggestion of feeling evident in his
voice or manner.
eff you do you are due for a sur
prise. l can't go sticking a knife into
that woman's heart. l won't"
You're a HI of lawyer!" SHADES
anger was rising.
I'm not that sort of a lawyer"
Hayes rose as if to dismiss the sub
ject.
whatever sort of lawyer you are
/ made you, Hayes"
81 know you did," returned Hayes,
bitterly. you've told me that before
and this is what comes of letting
man make you'll"
"You bet, rank ingratitude," hotly.
Hayes leaned forward, his arms on
his knees and looked Slade square in
the eyes.
Il honestly think you're drunk with
ell this power and prosperity. That
little woman was the apple of your
eye. I always said to myself: There's
one man who does stick to his wife!
7 didn't ha1inun wild hnrcnc nnII1d drag
you away from home"
"One minute!" interrupted Slade.
Gall that has nothing to do with you.
Neither you nor anyone living can
interfere with me now. Have you
stopped to figure out, and l say it with
all kindness and with all respect, what
sort of a governors lady Mrs. Slade
would make, feeling as she does?"
well, what sort of a governor
would you make if you were d.
vorced" Hayes questioned, mock
ingly. "Those men in there" and he
jerked his thumb toward the smok-
ing-room door; will they stand for
that?"
They've got to- own them, boots
and ALI"
But you don't own public opinion"
Numbered Hayes, banging his fist
down on the table, scattering the
copies of the senator's speech in all
directions.
why don't II" Slade questioned
with an arrogant smile disfiguring his
mouth. I'm going to buy half of
Merritt's paper tonight. l guess that
will be public opinion enough for me.
More than that, I'll stand as man
whose wife has deserted him. That's
how it will end. Mrs. Slade will de-
eide where she's to live-but it must
be at some distance"
you won't get your divorce
through desertion," Hayes scoffed. Il
know her. You can't do it."
81 can't do it, eh?" SHADES eyes
held a nasty expression. That's
what they've been telling me all my
life. Ever since l was a barefooted
little brat running around the mines
they've said to me; You can't do
this and you can't do that But l
always did it. Let me tell you, young
man, after all I've conquered no wom-
an is going to stop me!
Cant do it, eh?" he repeated, pug
naciously. You watch me do it, You
young jackanapes! I'm as good as
deserted now. The only question is:
Are you going to see Mrs. Slade-put
her aboard a train east or not?"
Mrs. Slade has been my best |
friend" Hayes answered quietly. Il
love her dearly-I-" his voice broke. |
"All right. That settles it. You
turn over every scrap of paper of mine
you have by"-he thought a moment
by tomorrow night. Then you can |
walk the ties to the devil, young man, /
and go back where found you"
As Hayes turned to 80, Strickland |
hurried into the room.
oMarrfft Hng infroIttnod