The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1914-05-06
IGERTRUDF STEVENSON
eide where she's to Ii,

eide where she's to lis
be at some distance"
You won't get your divorce
through desertion," Hayes scoffed. Il
know her. You can't do It,"
IT can't do it, eh?" Slade's eyes
held o nasty expression, That's
what they've been telling me all my
life. Ever since / was barefooted
little brat running around the mines
they've said to me: You can't do
this and you can't do that But
always did it. Let me tell you, young
man, after all I've conquered no wom-
an is going TO stop me!
"Gan't do it, eh?" he repeated, pug
naciously. you watch me do 1t! You
young jackanapes! I'm as good as
deserted now. The only question is:
Are you going to see Mrs: slade-put
her aboard a train east or not?"
Mrs, Slade has been my best
friend" Hayes answered quietly. 81
love her dearly-I-" his voice broke.
"All right. That settles 1t. You
turn over every scrap of paper of mine
you have by"-he thought moment
''by tomorrow night. Then you can
walk the ties to the devil, young man,
and go back where / found YOU"
AS Hayes turned to go, Strickland
hurried into the room.
Merritt has just introduced a very
unexpected subject in the smoking
room-the question of-well, you've
got to know it, Slade-the question of
Mrs. Slade."
Hayes wheeled around and watched
to see what effect this announcement
would have on Slade.
There are strangers there who
! learned Of your-er-domestic difficult
ties for the first time tonight" Strick-
land continued. Merritt has thrown
| the bombshell."
why, thought" Slade began to
protest.
Hes all right" came the senator's
reassuring tones. 1T had to come
| out. He's got his coat off in there
for you now. He maintains that the
opposition papers are bound to take
it up at any moment. Now. what do
you adviser"
"The TRUTH" thundered Slade. my
wife is preparing to desert me. II
| will happen"-Hayes jumped up and
| flung himself out of the room-"to
morrow-the next day-any hour"
Il see," and the senator looked
grave. as this irrevocable. Slade?'
"Irrevocable," declared Slade, posi-
lively. "As l have told you several
times, senator. it is irrevocable. III
stand by that"
Convinced that Slade knew his own
the reputation for knowing, 1t in al
other matters, Strickland returned tc
the waiting politicians.
Slade had been alone but a few
minutes when Katherine returned.
"Well, Mr.. slade," the girl ex
claimed, things seem to be coming
our way"
Slade was In no mood for mere con
versation. He was annoyed at Hayes
attitude, and incensed because HE
private affairs were being publicly
discussed in the next room. Mentally
he consigned Hayes to the devil, his
wife to the far East Of the country
and registered VOW with himself tha
he would have that divorce and the
woman he wanted in spite Of every
body and everything.
He resolved to sound Katherine ou
fhnro tnrnoA Az
his mind the most cold-blooded prop
osition that q man ever made to /,
woman. He was planning to ask hel
to marry him, when he should b.
free, to decorate his home, preside a
his table, share his wealth and tn,
honors of the chief executive of th'
state. There would be no warmth
in his tone, no love In his heart, NJ
hunger of his lips for hers. no yearn
ing of his arms for her yielding figure
there would be none Of the fire o
youth, nothing OF the love of littl
children, nothing Of the spirit tina
makes of marriage sacrament rathe
than a thing of convenience.
As Katherine walked across tn
!, room, moving toward him with tn
quiet grace and dignity of the vel
trained, well-gowned woman. he ha
, q fleeting memory of the slight, badl
dressed little woman, whose difidenc
in strange surroundings had alway
fretted him. She governors wife
Impossible! He rose and stood bt
side the woman whom he proposed t
use as 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 vi
derstand you In way. The more
see Of you the more / think II
! like to make a-well, a bargain Wit
! you. That doesn't seem to be quit
the word he hesitated az the 81
averted her eyes. yet think that
what we call It,"
"A bargainT echoed Katherine.
!. Yes. bargain" he repeated.
: never knew but one woman well-ths
was Mrs. Slade. She's good woma
"a mighty good woman. but we can
II never had q home-notN q HON