Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1914-06-26

come home. Well open the house In
town again, and we'll make the best
of things. There! Wen make the
best of things"
"How can WEI" argued Mary. III
was old-fashioned and behind the
times and held you back a week ago,
why wouldn't l now? Try az hard as
/ might, you said couldn't help you.
I'm just the same today as l was a
week ago. l haven't changed a bit
I'm just the plain little dud l always
was. What's true Monday is true
Tuesday. We can't get back to where
wa were once
"You meet me half way and I'll do
my part" Dan had never known her
to be obstinate like this before. Usu-
ally his slightest wish had been her
keenest desire.
Dan, you wanted that divorce?"
The question was ominous, but Slade
had to admit the point.
We'll. you're going to get III"
"But don't want It now"
you're going to have II. Dan
Slade," and Mary's mouth set like a
steel trap. you're going to have II
If ! have to get 1t myself"
What do you want with divorce
when I'm willing to give in?", stormed
Slade, losing his patience.
"How long have you been willing
to give In, Dan? What did you come
out here for?" She paused. but he
did not answer You came to force
me out of this house. Don't tell me
you didn't. because l know. And
know why you didn't do It, You
came in here and suddenly you got
a look at that girl and me! And II
staggered you! For once, something
swept you off your feet! You knew
then that Ia found 1t all out You
knew knew everything. And now
you've been thrown over by that girl
She's thrown you over. Between the
two of us-you're caught. And that's
the real reason that you're not stand
ing here shaking your finger in my
face and telling mo to go out, to get
out, to go
Mary stopped for breath, and
walked up and down the room before
she proceeded with her bitter denun-
citation.
And the worst of II is that after
the girls gone you actually ask me
to 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! II you
pushed mo aside for ambition.
might think 1t over, but you've
pushed me aside for that girls twenty
seven years of prettiness," and she
pointed an accusing finger Mt 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 tho rest Of It. You
put me aside for younger woman
he very utterance almost lost Mary
her courage, but she kept on. you
nut me aside for younger woman.
Now, no matter what you do, you
ant get me back"
Now, Mary" Slade begged, begin
ling TO feel that he was losing every
hing worth while.
q take Off my ring" Mary con-
inned, ignoring his interruption.
Nov it's ended" she finished as
he laid the ring on the table.
Shade strodo up to her In the man.
Ter which had kept her subdued all
he 30 years of their married life.
You put that ring on again." he com
handed It's yours You put that
ing on"
NO, sir! It's of for good For
he first time Mary's attitude was one
f stubborn temper. She was enjoy
ng complete mastery for the first
line in her life. wild horses
ouldn't have got 1t off yesterday
bought 1t was part of my nature!
Tut now. now I'm going to ask you to
o. I've got work to do. I'm closing
he house. I'm closing 1t for good
brewer"
Mary had said all che had to say.
low that her mind was made up, Il
'as characteristic OF her to turn to
ction. She started hurriedly and
oisily to clear up the table, scraping
he plates and piling them up ready
D carry into the kitchen.
For Gods sake, Mary, don't!" pro
ested Slade, too bewildered to know
hat 10 do or say.
Go along" urged Mary. as she put
he sugar bowl in its place on the
Ideboard
MARY, II you persist in this, Ill
o back and I'll smash that house In
own-rll smash 1t to pieces" he
1reatened. IN sell It. III give It
it up That's what made n
II this trouble! You know that! Try
lg to live up to that id house.
on told me not to build 1t, and this !
what l get for IT," {
go back and smash It You've r
mashed other things that hurt me
orse." !
Mary, you're not going to turn me
1t Of this house where we've lived !
, long together?"
You've turned yourself out. Go,
ow." Mary's wrath gathered force Il
she repeated her command. \