Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-12-04
CHAPTER v.

Mary Slade sat down to the break.
fast table with O certain sense Of be-
wilderment. It was the same this
morning as It had been each success
sive morning since Dams departure.
She could not bring herself to the real
lzation of the fact that Dan had not
come home-apparently did not intend
10 come home.
She had waited up the night he had
gone to the club, just as she had
waited up every night Of their married
life, no matter where her husband
was or how late he might be coming
home. As the night hours heightened
into day she was forced to the con-
clusion that Dan meant to stay away
Tor the night. That he wouldn't be
home at all through the day never oc-
Cured to her. She reasoned that a
nights sleep would clear his mind
and that he would have recovered
from his "tantrum" the next day. But
Dan didn't run in" that day nor the
next. The days had become weeks.
ret neither by telephone nor letter had
be sent as much as word.
Finally Mary had mustered up her
sourage and telephoned his club. 1t
look courage for Mary to use the tele-
phone on any occasion. She was afraid
pf the sound of her own voice the mo-
ment she began to talk into the trans
mitter. This time she feared Dams
displeasure and his possible harsh
ness. Mr.. Slade was out, had left no
message, they did not know when he
would return, was the disappointing
result as she hung the receiver on the
hook.
This morning, as the maid served
her breakfast, she resolved to try
again. The situation was getting un-
bsarable. It was bad enough to live
In the great house and be surrounded
By servants with Dan there. Without
him she felt like a prisoner Of state
and looked on the servants as so many
lailers.
Leaving her breakfast practically
untasted, Mary again ventured to the
Telephone. With faltering voice she
repeated the number. "One-three-nine-
tour" with beating heart she inquired
for "Mr. Slade:" with sinking courage
she received the answer that Mr.. Slade
had gone out. leaving no message.
Again and again during the day she
repeated the call. only to receive q
similar reply. The possibility Of her
husband having left such q message
10 be delivered TO her, whether he was
there or not never occurred to the
truthful, simple-minded little woman.
But slade did not want to be reached
BY her. and II an untruth. more OF
less. were necessary. the telephone
boy was easily bribed.
Meanwhile Slade was eagerly look
Ing forward to his new life. Never q
man to waver, he did not once looh
back to the wife he had 30 coolly de
serted. He was being dined and ban
quoted and feted. being everywhere
hailed as the candidate for governor
He was smiling the first breath Of fu
turs glories with keenest delight. Thi,
was the sort Of thing that made a mar
feel bigl This was the sort OF life tt
lead-with men bowling and salaaminl
al around him. He walked with firmel
tread. His shoulders were thrown
back . bit moro arrogantly. His ches
was more noticeable as he walked
down the street.
The innate conceit and self.esteen
Of the man made him overlook the fac
that the party needed q rich man. II,
was quite satisfied that he was beini
boosted by Strickland and the other
because OF his brains, his unusual abil
ity. his oratory and his power to lea,
: men. He was happier than he ha,
been for years. Every day the ne,
: life looked brighter and the old les
r desirable.
: II he gave a thought to Mary II wa
8 q passing one. Mary was comfort
Z able" She had everything that none
= could buy. The servants would be tai
D Ing good care OF her, OF course. Q
the lump in Mary's throat as she "a
8 at the lonely breakfast table and q
/ she went through the still more lon,
n some ordeal Of the formal dinner, b
/ know nothing. or the woman's achin
|, heart and her eyes bright with unshe
!, tears n she tried to keep up befor
o the servants and make excuses for hI
a absence. Slade was heartlessly ol
Q livious. Or perhaps It was self-esteei