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

CHAPTER XII.

For a moment the room was electric
with the intensity OF the situation.
Then the girl lifted her head proudly
and met SHADES eyes again. In them
he saw light he had never seen
there before, light OF soft tender
ness and deep Joy, look that made
his heart start as he realized what he
had lost
Good morning, Mr.. Slade," she
said coldly as Bob led her out into
the summer sunshine and to life and
love.
AS Slade, hat In hand. stood gazing
at his wife, Mary realized that for
the first time in all their married life
she had the advantage. For once the
roles OF the humble and the domi-
neering were reversed. There was a
long pause, awkward only for Slade,
for Mary was quite at ease. He
coughed several times. and then, in
a manner he thought quite appropri-
ate, asked:
What did that girl come here for
,--Miss-er-"
"Oh-forgotten her name" came
from Mary, mockingly. Miss Strick-
land came Just for a visit"
well, what did she want?" Slade
demanded.
"She came to find out what meant
to do" There was world OF irony
in Mary's tone.
What has that got to do with her?
/ don't approve of woman coming
into my house to find out what you--
l don't like It! It's a bit Of impu-
dence. What else did she have to
say? Did sheer"
she's not very confidential GIRL"
returned Mary evasively,
Il see. So she and Robert have
made up?" Slade considered this
rather master stroke, By continu-
Ing such questions he might get at
the real state of affairs
Yes"
We'll. well-Ill have to do some.
thing for them" Slade was pater-
nally patronizing, but he did not do
ceive Mary.
Your business out here today must
be very urgent. What is it,"
Slade tried frantically to find rea
son for his visit When he had left
town 1t was for the one reason of
trying to bully Mary into leaving the
cottage and agreeing to a divorce.
With the complexion OF matters 30
changed, he was at a complete loss
to explain his visit. He was fri
tated and annoyed He was not used
to having the tables so completely
turned on him. More than that, the
little cottage never looked more in.
viting. As a matter of fact, Slade
had often found the demands of his
new life considerable Of a nuisance,
and as Whit of the savory lamb
stew came to his nostrils, a memory
OF the peace and contentment of tho
old life flashed through his mind.
Nothing at the club had been espe-
cialiy tasty of late More than that,
the drive down had given him an
appetite.
Cooking stew, Nary" he asked
rather abruptly and inconsequen.
TALLY.
Just one Of my old stews," Mary's
voice was Indifferent. She was thor.
oughly disgusted with her husband,
now that she knew Just what he had
planned to do. Jealousy and out
ragged pride were In her heart. This
man. for whom she had worked and
whose very faults and failinl she
had loved. had been deliberately
planning to thrust her aside for a
woman who had enjoyed only the
sweets of life, woman whose youth
and beauty and social position put
Mary completely out of the contest.
The very thought was salt in her
wounded heart.
'Tll stay to dinner, II may" an
nounced Slade. removing his gloves
and laying aside his coat
Certainly. Take your old chair,
II you like" There was none of the
enthusiasm that might have been in
Mary's voice If he had come earlier
In the day She was formally pains
takingly polite. you can talk over
your business while we eat"
GiaAn matched bio ,.,SAa &c..
lowered lids as he ate. He fes~ed
that Mary knew everything. ! ais
calm, constrained atmosphere was
more battling than an emotional out
burst would have been.
why did you come, Dan" Mary
was rather enjoying his discontinue.
"Oh. yes. I-I'll take my coffee now,
L ! may. good and strong"
Mary dropped In two Jumps and
he right amount of cream, more
rom long habit than any desire to
please him.
Il came out here to Do you know
rather like my dinner at noon hour,
Ike we ut I'd to have it here. Aren't
you eating7"
"oh. 5es, I'll eat" replied Mary,
but you haven't told me why you
anne out"
4 came out here today to remon-
trate with you for living in this
louse," Slade blurted out, after a
'ause. "but-I've sort of changed
ny mind" and he reached for the
tickle Jar. These pickles fairly
make my mouth water. They're very
ood." he went on. Approximately.
Well what's changed your Mary
efused to be diverted by the subject :.
{ dinner at noon or the aIl-impor-
ant matter Of pickles. =
"You know I'm kind OF glad to see !,
be place again. and you know, !
Ike this stew" and he proceeded to Z
usy himself with the matter OF eat. Y
lg-anything to gain time under
Iary's merciless. persistent question y
Ig. y