The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1914-11-05
CHAPTER v.

IHAF EH "
Mary sIade sat down to the break
fast table with certain sense OF be-
wilderment IL was the same this
morning as 1t had been each success
siye morning since Dams departure.
She could not bring herself to the real
ization OF the fact that Dan had not
come home-apparently did not intend
to come home.
She had waited up the night he had
gone to the club, Just az she had
waited up every night of their married
life, no matter where her husband
was or how late he might be coming
home. As the night hours heightened
into day she was forced to the con-
clusion that Dan meant TO stay away
for the night. That he wouldn't be
home at all through the day never oc-
Cured to her. She reasoned that a
nights sleep would clear his mind
and that he would have recovered
from his ''tAntrum" the next day. But
Dan didn't run In" that day nor the
next. The days had become weeks,
yet neither by telephone nor letter had
he sent as much as word.
Finally Mary had mustered up her
courage and telephoned his club. 1t
took courage for Mary to use the tele-
phone on any occasion. She was afraid
OF the sound OF her own voice the mo-
meut she began to talk into the trans
mitter. This time she feared Dams
displeasurs and his possible harsh
ness. Mr.. Slade was out, had left no
message, they did not know when he
would return, was the disappointing
result as she hung the receiver on the
hook.
This morning, as the maid served
her breakfast, she resolved to try
again The situation was getting un.
hearable. II was bad enough to live
| In the great house and be surrounded
by servants with Dan there. Without
him she felt like a prisoner Of state
and looked on the servants as so many
jailers.
Leaving her breakfast practically
untasted, Mary again ventured to the
telephone With faltering voice she
repeated the number. "One-three-nine
four" with beating heart she inquired
for "Mr. Slade;" with sinking courage
she received the answer that Mr. Slade
had gone out, leaving no message
Again and again during the day she
repeated the call, only to receive 9
similar reply. The possibility of hel
husband having Il { such q message
to be delivered to her, whether he was
there or not never occurred to the
truthful, supplemented little woman
But Slade did not want to be reached
by her, and If an untruth. more OIL
less, we're necessary, the telephone
boy was easily bribed.
Meanwhile Slade was eagerly look
ing forward to his new life. Never 1
man to waver, be did not once lool
back to the wife he had 80 coolly de
serted. He was being dined and ban
quoted and feted. being everywher
hailed as the candidate for governor
He was smiling the first breath of FL
ture glories with keenest delight. Thi
was the sort Of thing that made maj
feel bigl This was the sort of life L
lead-with men bowling and salaaminl
all around him. He walked with firme
tread. His shoulders were throw
back a bit more arrogantly. His ches
was more noticeable as he walke
down the street.
The innate conceit and self-esteen
of the man made him overlook the fac
that the party needed rich man. II
was quite satisfied that he was bein
boosted by Strickland and the other
because of his brains, his unusual abb
ity, his oratory and his power to lea
men. He was happier than he ha
been for years. Every day the ne,
life looked brighter and the old les
desirable.
IL he gave q thought to Mary 1t wa
passing one, Mary was Comfort
able" She had everything that none
could buy. The servants would be tai
ing good care of her, OF course. o
the lump in Mary's throat as she ga
at the lonely breakfast table and a
she went through the still more lone
some ordeal of the formal dinner. b
knew nothing. or the woman's achin
heart and her eyes bright with unshe
tears as she tried to keep up befor
the servants and make excuses for hi
absence. Slade was heartlessly oil
livious. Or perhaps 1t was self-esteer
again. that made him unable to fes
for her-the self-esteem OF the su,
cessful man who feels no wound
when fighting for what he wants, an
neither knows nor cares that other
feel them. He had heart, but 1t wa
unpleasantly like Pharaoh's.
But of Katherine Strickland's sta
uesQus beauty and her cosmopolita
manner he was delightfully."- awar,
During the weeks since he had lei
home slade had been calling reg,
larry at the Strickland home. partly I
consult with the senator and partl
for the purpose of posing for the bus
which Katherine was modelling. A
they sat hour after hour. he posin
comfortably. she working deity an
talking even more cleverly. Slade an
Katherine had come to mutual n,
Outstanding. The more they saw I
each other the more each became CO.
. vinced that their paths would inev,
: ably converge.
Katherine talked animatedly and q
, tsrtsiningiy OF social life abroad ar
of the gay times in Washington. an
Blades heart warmed and his ey,
flashed as he pictured himself a pa
of that charmed circle. With kes
t penetration he saw the longing of Il
: girls nature. her iron will. her dets