The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1914-05-13

atinty. He 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. l can't
get over it, Rob-" and her voice quiv-
cred in spite of herself 81 can't 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 it. 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
If there isn't-I declare I'm ashamed
to say it--but wonder if it could be
possible that there's-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 a thought had
never entered Mary SHADES pure-mind-
ed 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 self-control van
ished and she cried out desperately:
We'll, what do you think he wanted
that divorce for so suddenly"
People usually do get divorced
when they can't get on, don't they?"
Hayes was willing to lie to shield her
from the knowledge that he knew
would be the bitterest part of all the
NORWOOD that she had already tasted.
Sometimes l wonder" Mary con-
tinued. refectively, sometimes I'm
almost positive that-No! Slade isn't
that sort of man. My husband 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.
NO" Hayes agreed.
You haven't heard of anything like
that, have your" she questioned.
mo, no, 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 it. Don't worry"
Robert" and she looked at him in
tently. Would you tell me if"
mo. / would not!" asserted Hayes
vigorously. Haven't you got enough
trouble now?"
But, Robert, you are 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.
Welt" Hayes was. far from cor
dial.
Il beg your pardon for entering SO
abruptly" Merritt was the same old
talkative, suave, good-fellow, Pm-your.
friend-Merritt, but 1 was bound to see
Mrs. Slade. I'm for the Slade family
but I'm for all the Slade family, SO
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 warmest welcome a
man ever received.
"This man is likely to publish any.
thing you may say, auntie," 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. 81