Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-10-29
You'll hardly claim

protest. is tnat air
mo, 1t is not" She leaned sharply
forward, forgetting to pose and to
smile, the delicate prettiness of face
eclipsed by cloud of vixenish tenn
per- 1T Is not. l have some self
respect and regard for our position.
If you haven't. Do you suppose a
husband means nothing to me but
manner"
He glanced hesitatingly toward the
door, meditating retreat Then, with
grim tightening of his lips, he re-
turned his gaze to her.
You really want an answer? Then.
! had supposed a husband means to
you o name-and check book. With
inexhaustible leaves"
so you begrudge me the money
spend! You grow"
Your expense account, fully met, is
the best answer to that, think"
But want more than money. Do
you think little money--a little pal
try money-can repay me for your
neglect and selflshness?"
so you scorn money? It's news to
me. But l think you've nothing to
complain Of"
"Nothing!" she cried. rs 1t moth
ing that have to go everywhere alone,
always having to listen to whispers
behind my back of my husbands fool
ish attempts to play the man about
town? You see, you couldn't keep
your escapade of last year from me.
Or that you've turned the old set
against me by cheating poor Timothy
Woodhouse out OF his last property"
He WINGED and flushed painfully at
that. She saw and believed she had
pierced his armor. She rose again,
that she might deliver her final thrust
most effectively.
do you call 1t nothing that you.
who have no time or thought to spare
your wife, brazenly flaunt your women
in public, ON the streets and in the
parks. for all the city to see and COS.
sip about?"
He was standing rigid, both hands
gripping his cane, his gaze fixed un-
waveringly on her. The frightened lips
had become the merest line.
IF you refer to Mrs. Whiting" he
began at last steadily, you will please
use more respectful terms
you reprove me on her account!
This she cried tragically. this is too
much. ! suppose this Mrs. Whiting
II that's her 'name-is your mistress
perhaps l should say. your latest mis-
tress."
Why, you"
The storm burst, choking back
speech, but finding an outlet through
his eyes. He reached out swiftly and
caught her hand In a cruel clutch,
crushing the soft useless member un-
til her rings bit into the flesh and she
cried out in pain.
Let me CO." she gasped. You're
hurting me-"
He released her and sank back into
a chair.
Il think we've come to the end Of
our chapter, Unity. But I'll give you
us-one more chance"
You'd think were criminal!"
"We both are-but let that go. Here
tofore you've made our life. And you've
failed. Since our first month we've
never been really happy, at least in
each other. Now let me choose. Let's
go away somewhere"
ITO New York or abroad?"
Not to New York or abroad. To
Bethel or some place where we can
live quiet, decent, natural life. Let
us begin over again and try to re-
cover what we've lost-or rather what
we never had"
You are absurdl"
rs 1t absurd for man to ask his
wife-you've claimed the title-to
share the life he wants and needsY
You forget to consider what would
have from such an arrangement"
You would have me-"
She answered with contemptuous
shrug. Il will do nothing SO silly.
You ask too much"
."Ah! You're franker than thought
you could be. I'm glad you're frank"
He rose looking curiously down at
her. IF you look back, you'll find I've
never asked you anything until now.
I've been content to take-at least,
I've taken-only what 1t suited your
whims to give me. And you've given
exactly nothing"
And what" she flung back. have
you given me?"
From another woman that might
be crushing retort. I've given you
very little. But, as 1t happens, it's
been all you wanted. You wouldn't
take, you never wanted, the only worth
while thing had to give" He paused
again, his manner hardening. How.
ever, all that is ended. go away to
morrow morning. don't think shall
ever see you again."
Even then he might have relented
II she had given him excuse. But she
gave him no excuse.
You're asking for divorce?"
Yes"
II suppose" she sneered. you want
to marry that woman, your mistress"
He held himself under rigid self
control She Isn't my mistress
though love her. She was the cir
gave up years ago out of loyalty tc
YOU"
There was nothing lovely about
Unity Truitt just then
And now you want to renew the
broken romance. Very pretty! But
J she laughed In yindictiye pleasure II