Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-12-25

He picked at the edge Of the board
In front of him.
"Fm going to turn over new leaf,
Joyce" he whined.
mot In this shack" she retOrted de-
cislvely She was gathering compo-
sure after her shaken moment II wish
lightning had struck you before you
found out where was. was fool
not to get legal separation at the
time, but learned you'd been sent to
prison, and l knew you were out Of
the way, and came Off up hero with
out doing 1t. You were given ten
year term, heard. What you're doing
out In four years don't know"
He stared at her, and she read his
covering fear with hard eyes.
''This sountry's big, and l want you
to move on. This Is my place. It's
not big enough for us both. You I'M
derstand2 II you'll keep In mind we're
perfect strangers and get out OF here
on the next boat
sort Of whimpering hope took Its place.
you are hard, Joyce" no sniveled
God knows, I've always loved you'll
never thought of anybody but you"
leave God out Of it." ordered the
woman contemptuously. "You never
thought of anybody but yourself In
your life"
81 knew you'd be mad at me, Joyce.
as soon as | came In. I'm going right
up to the mine and get Il job. I'll
show you | can work. l won't ever
leave you again."
''Oh, yes, you WILL" she said grimly
land that right away. Just look at my
handsI' she cried suddenly, throwing
them out before her with q fierce ges-
ture They were calloused and rough
and stiff. II suppose you remember
what they looked like OnceP
The man blinked and licked his lips.
II remember, Joyce" he said hum
bly,. az thought maybe you'd teach
music. You could play right we'll"
II tried 1t for year and starved"
"If you'll just give mo one more
chance
"YOu can have all the chance In
the world-away from this place. l
shall not modest you, though l suspect
you've got no right to your freedom.
But you just get this once for all: You
are TO move on at once. And mean
while we are strangers. l don't now
you. You are
McGehee entered, and she turned abb
ruptly and poured cup Of coffee,
which with food she placed before the
man already seated. naming as she did
so the price Of tho meal.
AS he passed, McGehee bestowed
upon the presence a glance of curiosi-
ty and dislike, then sauntered on to his
accustomed place. With elaboration
that savOred Of malice Mrs. Taylor
filled cup and plate and set them be-
fore him.
He looked at the food with mingled
amusement and protest
ado have to eat every hour2"
Folks don't come in here except to
eat" she pointed out.
ooh, very we'll" drnwled McGehee
He stirred slowly and slipped the cof-
fee and nibbled the sandwich, but he
did not attempt conversation until the
presence at the far end Of the room
was gone.
As the man went out Valor gave him
another scrutiny and looked inquiring-
ly ut Mrs. Taylor. 1t struck him when
he came In that she and the man were
having words, and the thought came
back TO him.
But the morning was now growing
late, and she was getting ready for the
noon rush, and somehow. though he
could not have told why, the atmos-
phere seemed subtly against any more
half earnest TESTING.
SO he moodlly formed big interr0-
CATION point In the center OF his place
with breadcrumbs, put coin, the
price of the meal, under his cup. swung
his legs over the bench and went out
He did not come back the next hour,
nor the next. ms he had promised. The
camp was suddenly In turmoil over
the disaster at the Crown mine Nc
Gehee, with others, gave the rest Of the
day to caring for the five men wound
ed by the explosion and burying the
three who were killed.
"He claimed he was an expert pow
for He lied. He hadn't been there
twenty minutes before-oh, well, he
got his too. But that didn't make 1t
any easier for the rest Of EN-. II was
that fellow who was eating here yes
terday morning when came In for my
second breakfast You remember himT
He had entirely forgotten his fin
preston Of the day before.
II remember him. It's those he left
wounded / pity the most. The others
are dead"
Her face looked inexpresslbly weary.
He noted her unusual expression.
"You aren't sick, are you" he asked,
with sudden perplexity.
She shook her head.
mo. Thinking OF the mine accident
tept me awake. That's ALL" she said.
Valor McGehee took occasion to OBJ
serve
"Slnce ! wasted 80 much time yester-
day guess I'll Just stay right here till
you tell me your name and II you are
q widow"
Her eyes met his. and never had her
smile been 80 enigmatic.
There's time to ask and a time 10
answer My name Is Joyce. and-I am
d widow" she said.
For Sale In Rockville.