Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1914-10-29
CHAPTER vl--cortlnusd

CHAPTER Nl--Coutlnas6
~There are strangers there who
learned OF yourer- domestic difficult
ties for the fret time tonight" Strick-
land continued. Merritt haa thrown
the bomhshell.s
"Why, thought-~ Shade began 70
protest.
"He's all right CAME the senator's
reassurfng tones. ''It had TO come
out. He's got his coat on in there
FOR you now. He maintains that the
opposition papers are bound to take
It up st any moment. Now. what 40
you advised"
'The truth, !" thundered slade. my
wife Ii preparing 70 desert me. u
win happen Hayes jumped up and
flung himself out OF the room to-
norrow--tha next day--any hour"
II see," and the senator looked
grave. 'sIs this irrevocable, Slade?T
"IrrevocabIe." declared Siade. pogi-
lively. "As I have told you several
times. senator. II Ia irrevocable III
stand by that"
Convinced that slade knew his own
mind In this matter az well az he had
the reputation for knowing It In all
other matters, Strickland returned 20
the waiting politicians.
Siade had been alone but q few
minutes when Katherine returned.
well. Mr.. Slade," the girl ex.
claimed. things seem to be coming
cur way"
Siade WAS In no mood Cor mere con.
yersation. He was annoyed &C Hayes
attitude, and incensed because his
private affairs were being publicly
discussed in the next room. Mentally
he consigned Hayes to the devil, bis
wife to the far East Of the country
and registered vow with himself that
he would have that divorce and tbs
woman he wanted In spite OF ever
body and everything.
He resolved to sound Katherine Out
then and there. He turned ever In
his mind the most cold-blcoded prop
ositicn that q man ever made to Z
woman. He was planning 10 ask hel
to marry him, when he should BIZ
free, to decorate his home, preside al
his table. share his wealth and ths
honors OF the chief executive of ths
state. There would be no warmth
In his tone, no love In his heart. nc
hunger OF his lips for hers, no yearn
ing OF his arms for her yielding figure
there would be acne of the FIRE oI
youth, nothing OF the love OF little
children. nothing OF the spirit tina
makes OF marriage sacrament Tathel
than q thing of convenience
Az Katherine walked across The
room, moving toward him with thu
quiet grace and dignity OF the well
trained, wellgownsd woman, ha has
o feeting memory OF the slight, badi,
dressed little woman. whose diffsdencs
In strange surroundings had alwayt
frstted him. She q governors wife
Impossiblei He rose and stood be
side the woman whom he proposed I,
use az another living stepping stone
Miss Strickland" his mind FULL
made up. you've done lot for m.
IN the last few weeks while you'v,
been making that bust. think un
derstand You In q way. The more
see OF you the more think I--It
like to make a--well. q bargain will
you. That doesn't seem to be quit,
the word" he hesitated as the cir
Rverted her eyes. yet / think that
what we call it."
"A bargain7" echoed Katherine
Yea. bargain" he repeated.
never knew bat one woman well--tha
was Mrs Slade. She's good womal
Ia mighty good woman, but we can
III never had a home--rot hom'
Hike strickIand's. When have aroths
house--thatIl be what III want, Fl
want my friends, my acquaintance
10 come there. want--well--heac
quarters. And i want . woman
the head OF my house that ] can D
proud ot---liks Strickland"
Katherine was not surprised. 81
had anticipated some such move
this On his part, but now that oh
was face 10 face with the unvarnisne
suggestion, she found herself NOR
shocked than aha would hare ~
fieved
In q couple OF months I'll stan
free.- he went on Perhaps soone'
I doat expect any wonan's going :
lore me--she isn't Got 20 90 ma
when you're young. But ia 90 all
could for the woman. Shed have q
erything money and--the power tna
goes with 1t. want 70 say rigE
hare that wouldn't speak II though
young Hayes had chance. ] sa'
ha didn't
AL the mention OF Hayes nam
Katherine had an tnstant's vision Z
Bob's tender face--hfs eyes burnin
with love locking into hsrsof y
youth--his strsngth--his me bono
and her heart cried cut desperafei'
sakirsiiy. Cor the shsitnr - his arm