Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1914-06-19

entiy. mary jumped about In her ex
element and finally took down the
receiver. She dropped it as hastily
and backed away.
You'd better answer It, Rob"
Its Slade." Bob declared, holding
his hand over the transmitter. HE
wants to talk to you"
mo. street" Mary was vehement.
Cut him off! amt going to talk to
him. I've got-two lawyers. Tell him
to have his lawyer talk to mine. My
hearts 30 hard against him couldn' t
listen to the sound of my own voice, "
and she sank weakly into a chair as
Hayes continued to converse with
Slade. mo, she says not" he was
saying mo. am not out here wind.
ing her up or advising her." and he
banged up the receiver.
'What'd he say" Mary was wiring
ing her hands in her uncomfortable ex.
element.
'"Oh, he just called me skunk and
cut off" answered Hayes, as he non
chalantly lighted a cigarette. He paced
up and down the room for moment
and then turned on her:
God! I'd like to haul him through
every court in the country. The scoun-
drel!"
II don't like to hear you talk like
that about him, Rob-" Mary remon-
strated. He's been pretty good
friend to you"
We'll. perhaps" Hayes tried to
calm herself for her sake. "He's all
right, suppose"
Il dunno that he is" Marys mood
was variable. when | think of that
divorce"
SHADES coming down here today,
aunty. Tie declares you're here under
his very eyes, and he's determined
that you shall go away, and desert
him and give him the opportunity to
divorce you. He says the whole coun-
try will know of the trouble unless
you go away. That's what he said
over the phone"
well. I'll stay right here. can't
get over 1t, Rob-" and her voice quiv-
cred in spite of herself. Il cant get
over the suddenness of It; his want
ing that divorce happened Just like
that" and she snapped her fingers to
illustrate her meaning. Before that
he never thought of 1t. It's curious"
she paused. thoughtfully; do you
know that sometimes when | get to
thinking about it-I-something comes
over me, an idea that--shut that out
side door, Rob-" she commanded be-
fore she would continue. Il wonder
II there isn't declare I'm ashamed
to say it-but wonder II 1t could be
possible that theres-some woman"
she finally managed to get the word
out.
"Auntie!" 1t was not necessary for
Hayes to feign surprise. for. although
he knew the situation, he had been
confident that such thought had
never entered Mary Shades pure-mind-
cd thoughts.
The pent-up emotion OF days broke.
and Mary sank sobbing into chair,
burying her face in her hands. With
the expression OF the thought that
heretofore she had never admitted
even to herself. her selfcontrol van
ished and she cried out desperately:
We'll. what do you think he wanted
that divorce for 80 suddenly"
People usually do get divorced
when they can't get on, don't they?"
Hayes was willing 10 lie to shield her
from the knowledge that he knew
would be the bltterest part of all the
NORWOOD that she had already tasted.
Sometimes ! WONDER" Mary con-
tinued, refectively. sometimes I'm
almost positive that-No! Slade isn't
that sort of man. My hush nd isn't
that sort Of man. Rob-"
mo, OF course he isn't"
"You didn't know what l was going
to say" she objected.
"Yes, / did. About women"
HE never noticed any other wom-
an" she told herself positively.
mo-" Hayes agreed.
you haven't heard of anything like
that. have your" she questioned.
mo, no, l haven't" Hayes was find-
ing the cross-examination extremely
trying, convinced as he was that Mary
must be saved from the knowledge OF
Katherine at any cost. IF there were
anything. you'd hear 1t. Don't worry"
Robert" and she looked at him in
tently. Would you tell me If"
mo. l would not!" asserted Hayes
vigorously. Haven't you got enough
trouble now?"
"But. Robert, you ere my friend.
aren't you? You ought to-"
He was saved from any further
questions along that unwelcome line
by the sound of the doorbell and a
moment later Merritt opened the door
without ceremony.
WE'LL" Hayes was far from cor
dial
Il beg your pardon for entering 80
abruptly" Merritt was the same old
laxative, suave. good.fellow. I'm-your-
friend-Merritt, "but was bound to see
Mrs. Slade. I'm for the SIade family
but I'm for all the Slade family, 80 l
hope you won't make a stranger Of
me-"
Mary was politely Indifferent and
Hayes. with back turned, was tapping
his foot uneasily on the floor. Alto
gether not the warmeat welcome
man ever received.
This man Is likely TO publish any.
thing you may say. auntle." Hayes
warned over his shoulder.
"Oh, come now, Hayes" objected
Merritt, I'm here on a perfectly
friendly visit. we'll remember this
little place." and he looked about. Il
stopped here some years ago and Mr.. |
Slade brought US drink of water.