The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1914-12-31

good" be went on, appreciatively.
We'll, what's changed your Mar,
refused to be diverted by the subject
OF dinner at noon or the all-impor
tant matter OF pickles.
you know I'm kind OF glad to see
the place again. and you know,
Ike this stew" and he proceeded te
busy himself with the matter OF eat
ing-anything to gain time under
Marys merciless. persistent question
ing.
Have biscuit" suggested Mary
"and--tell me why you came out
here"
| Slade looked longingly toward the
window, as II he expected to md an
inspiration for suitable answer
! there
why, the old rosebush out there
yet, holding the fort," he exclaimed
Il must have look at It," and leav
ing his dinner. he went over to the
| window
Mary hurriedly refilled his plate
with stew the moment his back was
| turned.
Il declare!" He was still enthusine
over the rosebush. Quite a bushl"
He was beginning to feel more at
ease. He had the satisfied feeling
that comes to every man when his
stomach is full. He felt very benign
toward Mary. even toward Katherine
and Hayes.
TN tell you what | am going to do
Gary,' he began. You like this
house-always did. Well. you can
stay here. won't oppose 1t. There
nothing In the world you want |
wouldn't give you-nothing. Now
what can do for you? What can
T."
Mary shook her head and laughed
quietly
Why, Maryl" slade was distressed
at having his patronizIng advances
treated In such a manner.
"Oh. Dan, DAM" Mary laughed,
mockingly, unable longer to conceal
her feelings. Slade realized in an In
slant that Mary knew everything.
We'll, I'll tell you one thingl" he
blurted out. Il never cared button
for that girl--if that's what you
mean! / swear / didn't"
who said you did. DAM" Mary's
manner was provokingly calm.
II never did I'm not that kind OF
man. and you know it," he pro-
tested.
Who's accusing you? never men
toned her name. But. Dan, she's very
young and very pretty. and don't
blame you as long as you we're going
to try another wife. You might as
well have had oae who was young
and pretty"
Slade pooh-poohed vigorously.
Il hope the next one you get will
be Just as pretty. for your sake"
There isn't going to be next
one" protested Slade, after the man
ner OF all men.
oh. yes there is you've got the
idea now. The mere fact that you
missed this time will keep you ct it,
I've got enough" Slade saw that
frankness was the only way out OF
II. TIN not going to make devilish
fool OF myself again"
Don't let your coffee get cold" re-
minded Mary. tantalizingly. Now.
Dan. you wanted me to 60 away, and
will. I've made up my mind"
But | don't want you to go away"
Slade demonstrated. I'VE can arrange
everything right here and now. This
determination OF yours Is pretty sud
den. isn't it,"
Not as sudden as your change OF
mind when you nrst came into this
room today"
We'll. where are you going?"
"Oh. don't know" Mary replied.
indifferently. What does become OF
divorced women"
Now. May. don't talk like that;
It amt natural from you" This time
Slade was doing the pleading. You
can't go OF alone like this"
ooh. can't /, ! could week ago.
or an hour ago. Why can't now, ]
can't wait to pack my things"
Slade gazed at his wife In amaze
ment. II the patient rug on which
he had thoughtessly trampled so long
had suddenly been transformed into
a snarling animal. Slade could not
have been any more surprised
why. Mary. sec here" he began.
then stopped. "Oh, hi, what's the
ussr You meet me half way in the
way want to live. and you'd better
come home. Wen open the house in
town again. and ven make the best
OF things There, Wen make the
best OF things"
How can WEI" argued Mary III
l was old-fsshioned and behind the
times and held you back a week ago,
why wouldn't ] now, Try as hard as
J might. you said couldn't help you.
I'm Just the same today as | was a
week ago. ! haven't changed BIT.
I'm lust the plain little dud always
waa What's true Monday is true
Tuesday. We can't get back to where
We we're once
You meet me half way and IN do
my part Dan had never known her
to be obstinate like this before. Usu-
ally his slightest wish had been her
kscncst desire
Dan. you wanted that divorce,"
The question was ominous but slads
had to admit the point
We'll. you're going to get III"
But I don't want II now"
You're going to have II. Dan
slade." and Mary's mouth set like a
steel trap You're going to have II
II have to get II myself,"