The Parma herald., 1914-12-03
CHAPTER vIII-continusd.

Slade nervously assured himself
that all the doors were tightly closed.
He suppressed the twinge OF shame
for his steaIthy action by assuring
himself that 1t was not fear-simply
business caution. To his cowardly
wrenching OF his wife's heart he gave
no thought at all 1t was a move in
the game. He made 1t as dispassion-
ately as one moves a chessman on
the board. Mary was looking at him
with q new light in her brown eyes
AS he turned to her again. She spoke
again.
TT was all right until you made
that lucky deal. Dan. with the money
! helped vDu to make and you pulled
me out from behind my stove and
tried to make me parlor ornament
ia hate to think where you'd been
today, II yer had. Five years ago you
took all the work l loved to do out OF
my hands and now you're Furnishing
me because l did work"
mo. I'm not" Slade demonstrated.
moved In spite OF himself by her
simple, eloquent argument.
Yes. yuh are. Dan, you're just as
good as whipping me for layin' up
the foundation of every dollar you've
got and here am at my age, sitting
In idleness in a great big barn of
house with my job gone." she finished
pathetically
We'll. that's life." declared Slade
unfeelingly.
Then It's a pretty poor thing" and
she shook her head sadly. No. 1t amt
life. 1t shouldn't be. There's some
thing wrong in mans getting so
far up he can't live with the wife he
married because she cooked and
worked instead OF playing. 1t amt
1ustl"
"Oh. what's the use, Mary?" slade
sighed wearily, as though he, and
not she. were the injured one.
"Dan." Mary lowered her voice and
looked at him earnestly. IF brought
up girl today and we we're poor.
would you advise me to say, Take
plano lessons. learn languages, keep
up to the times, never mind doing
your share or being economical?'"
I'm not going to argue" Slade re-
piled loftily.
"Yuh can't, DAN" declared Mary
with conviction. There amt no ar
It's one-sided. Suppose I'd
changed and you'd stayed the same,
what would all your friends say?
Poor Slade. his wife's crazy-or bad
probably bad No. yer can't get me
to see It'll"
We'll. whether you see 1t or not,
that's just where we stand You'd
better let me call Robert to take you
home.''
Walt. Dan," she pleaded. "Will
you see me again at home. II go
now?"
There was tense pause. Slade did
not reply.
Il see. see." She dropped wearily
into a chair and suddenly the tears
started in her eyes.
Please. Mary, remember where you
are" Slade was a trihe less cold.
IN let you know my plans. All you
have to do is to abide by them. You
say you'll do anything for me, that's
all ask you to do, abide by my plans.
wish you much happiness, the best
OF everything, life beyond anything
you ever had" and he was rapidly
being carried away by his own mag
nanimity. Il shall always think of
you with the greatest affection" he
concluded. taking on patronizing air
and frUfnn n -
his own empty sentiments. His self
esteem had been severely torn in the
last few moments OF his wife's talk.
He had almost caught glimpse of
himself as he really was, but he was
regaining what he was pleased to con-
slider control of himself.
Well. you've conquered" Mary
dabbed her eyes and nose and tried
to muster up sufficient courage to
meet the situation. Il give In. III
abide by your plans. Whatever you
want me to do" her voice broke into
sob. tell Robert-I'll do IT," The
tears continued to fall In spite OF
her. Her heart was breaking. Her
shoulders dropped pitifully, yet she
felt certain sad Joy in acceding to
his wishes. There was kind of hap
piness In sacrificing herself to please
him.
She began to pull her gloves, Jerk
lily. clumsily, finding some relief In
having something to do. She was
struggling hard not to break down
not to cling wildly to him and beg
him not to give her up.
She steadied herself finally.
We'll. Dan. there's one thing
you've got to be careful of-now that
! won't be round to hold you back
now that ! won't be with you any
more" her voice quavering. Pm the
only one who tells you all the truth
Everyone else is afraid OF you.
Don't let them fiatter you" she
said, with more maternal than wifelv
solicitude- They can. | found that
out Father, You're an awful fool
with your money. You never had but
one real friend. That's me. Youu
find 1t out"
TN look out" slade promised and
there was note OF relief in his tome
at her change OF attitude.
DO you want me to go away from