The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1914-05-27

you We been thrown over by that Girl.
Snes thrown you over, Between the
Two OF us-you're caught. And that's
.ne real reason that you're not stand
ing here shaking your finger in my
lace and telling me to go out. to get
out, to co.
Mary stopped for breath, and
walked up and down the room before
sne proceeded with her bitter denun-
ciaticn.
And the worst of it is that after
the girls gone you actually ask me
10 take yer back-to take yer back
just as they all do. It's another man
come home to mother Well, here's
one woman that's not going to take
her husband back!' No, sir! If you
pushed me aside for ambition,
might think it over, but you've
pushed me aside for that girls twenty
seven years of prettiness," and she
pointed an accusing finger at the door
through which Katherine Strickland
had gone hand-in-hand with her
sweetheart.
THAT'S what you've done-for twen-
ty-seven years of youth, for twenty
seven years of figure and eyes and
freshness and all the rest of it. You
put me aside for younger woman
the very utterance almost lost Mary
her courage, but she kept on. you
put me aside for a younger woman.
Now, no matter what you do, you
can't get me back"
Now, Mary" Slade begged, begin
ming to feel that he was losing every
thing worth while.
Il take off my ring" Mary con-
tinued, ignoring his interruption.
Now it's ended" she finished as
she laid the ring on the table.
Slade strobe up to her in the man
ner which had kept her subdued all
the 80 years of their married life.
You put that ring on again." he COM
manded. It's yours! You put that
ring on"
mo, sir! It's off for good" For
the first time Mary's attitude was one
of stubborn temper. She was enjoy
ing complete mastery for the first
time in her life wild horses
couldn't have got it off yesterday
thought it was part of my nature!
But now, now I'm going to ask you to
go. I've got work to do. I'm closing
the house. I'm closing it for good
forever"
Mary had said all she had to say
Now that her mind was made up, il
was characteristic of her to turn to
action: She started hurriedly and
noisily to clear up the table, scraping
the plates and piling them up ready
to carry into the kitchen.
For Gods sake, Mary, don't!" pro-
! tested Slade, too bewildered to know
what to do or say.
GO along" urged Mary. as she put
the sugar bowl in its place on the
/ sideboard.
MARY, If you persist in this, I'll
/ go back and I'll smash that house in
! town-I'll smash it to pieces" he
threatened. I'll sell it. I'll give il
away-break it up! That's what made
all this troubled You know that! Try
ing to live up to that id house
You told me not to build it, and this
I is what get for it."
go back and smash it. You've
smashed other things that hurt me
worse"
Mary, you're not going to turn me
out of this house where we've lived
! so long together?"
you've turned yourself out. Go
now" Mary's wrath gathered force
as she repeated her command.
"Ah, come now, Mary"
you CO." warned Mary, before
say something I'll regret" She was
scarcely hearing what Slade was say
ing now-her ears were full of the
things he had said to her in her OWL
home, and that night in Senator
Strickland's library.
Mary" The one word was full o.
protest and a plea for forgiveness.
go before / say it!"- 1t was al
Mary could do to speak quietly.
Mary" again the word spoke vol
umes.
mo use," she replied, as she picked
I'D a pile of dishes. You pushed me
aside for a younger woman, and now
you CO." and with both hands full oi
dishes she kicked the kitchen dool
open with an angry foot, and pro
ceeded to busy herself at the sink.
Mary! See here!" he called. There
was no reply.
He walked absently to the sugar
bowl selected a lump of sugar ant
started to eat it, brushing one hand
with the other and then, still absent
minded, ignored the napkin within
easy reach and wiped his fingers dowr
the front of his coat. 1t was the OLE
Dan Slade, a reversion to type.
Then he quietly picked up his ha
and gloves and coat. Mary heart
him going, and came back into thu
room.
Dan" she said as she stretches
out her hand to him. Il can't hat
you-I Just can't We're going to sa.
good-by like two old friends" HI
took her hand eagerly and held 1t
After a moment she pulled 1t ava.
and resumed picking up the Dime
things. Slade looked at her longingl,
for a moment, then quietly opene'
the door and was gone.