Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1914-11-12
CHAPTER vlll-conslauea.

Fl
slade neryousiy assured himself
shat all the doors were tightly closed.
He suppressed the twinge OF shame
Tor his stealthy action by assuring
himself that II was not fear-gimply
business caution. To his cowartily
~renching az his wife's heart he gave
no thought 1t all. II was move In
tAe game. He made II As dispassicn-
ateiy az one moves q chessman on
the board, Mary was looking at him
With new light In her brown eyes
as be turned % bar again. She spoke
again.
1T was al right until you made
that fucky deal. Dan. with the money
I helped you to make and you pulled
me cut from behind my stove and
tried 10 make me parlor ornament.
I'd hats 10 think where you'd been
today. Il yer had. Five years ago you
took all the work ] loved to do ont Of
my hands and now you're punishing
me because did work
No, I'm not" Shade demonstrated.
moved In spite OF himself by her
simple, eloquent argument
~Yes, yuh are Dan, you're Just as
good as whipping me for iaytn' up
the foundation OF every dollar you've
got enc here am at my age, sitting
In idIeness in great big barn Of a
house with my Job gone" she finished
patheticaIiy.
well. that's nfe." declared slade
anfeelingly.
Then it's pretty poor thing, and
abe shook her head sadly. No, 1t amt
life. It shouldn't be. There's some
thing wrong In mans getting 30
Gar up he can't i've with the wife he
married because she cooked and
worked instead Of playing. It amt
tust!"
"oh. what's the use. Maryf" Slade
sighed YEARLY. as though he, and
not she. were the injured one.
"Dan." Mary lowered her voice and
locked at him earnestly. "If brought
up @ girl today and we were poor.
would you advise me to say, Take
piano lessons. learn language, keep
up to the times. never mind doing
your share or being sconomical?'
I'm not gcipg 70 argue" Siade re-
piled loftily.
"Yuh can't Dan." declared Mary
with convictisn. There amt no ar
gument it's one~sided. Suppose I'd
changed and you'd stayed the same,
what would ali your friends say7
Poor Slade, his wifes crazy--or bad
probably bad No, yer cant get me
TO see til"
We'll, whether you SEQ 1t or not,
that's just where we stand. You'd
better let me call Robert to take you
home"
wait, Dar." she pleaded. win
you see me again at home, II so
nowf"
There was tense pause. siads did
not reply.
Il see, see" She dropped wearily
into q chair and suddenly the tears
started In her eyes.
Please, Mary, remember where you
are" Slade was trifie less cold.
I'm let you know my plans. All you
have to do Ia to abide by them. You
say youI do anything for me. that's
all ask you to do, abide by my plans.
! wish you much happiness. the best
Of everything. o life beyond anything
you ever had" and he was rapidly
being carried away by his own mag
aanimity. y shall always think of
you With the greatest affection" he
concluded, taking on patronizing air
and trying 70 make himself believe
bis own empty sentiments His self
esteem had been severely torn In the
hast few moments Of his wffe's talk.
He had almost caught d glimpse of
kimseif az he really was. but no was
regatning what he was pleased to con.
slider control Of himself
Well. you've conquered" Mary
dabbed her eyes and nose and tried
to muster up sufficient courage TO
meet the situation. Il give In. III
abide by your plans. Whatever you
want me TO do her Voice broke into
n SOB, "tell Robert--I7l do It The
tears continued to fall In spite of
her. Her heart was breaking. Her
shoulders dropped pitifaliy. yet she
felt certain sad JOY in acceding 10
his Wishes. There was kind of hap
piness I'm sacrificing herself to please
him.
she began to pun her gloves, jerk
ny. clumsiiy. finding some relief In
having something to do. She was
struggling hard not to break down
not 70 cling wildly to him and BEG
Aim not to give her up.
shs steadfed herself finally.
well, Don. there's one thing
you've got to be careful cf--now thai
/ went Do round TO hold you back
ucw thgs 1 wont ba with you ans