The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1914-12-17

gave her = vision OF what Slaoes car
lier life with this woman must have
been Instead OF her usual poise, she
found herself quite = little at los'
to know what to do or say before the
frank, sincere gaze of SHADES vile
The questions she had meant to blur
out soon after her arrival remained
mutely on Der lips Instead she found
herself answering the questions thai
Mary Slade was asking.
She found herself telling the woman
OF her own struggles against increas
ing poverty, talking OF her own hopei
and ambitions.
Mrs. Slade, don't say this Is 6
social call" Katherine found herself
az frank As the woman at the Other
side of the table
You-you know all about my
trouble, Miss StricklandT
Yes, that's what I'd like to talk to
you about, without offending you, II
might You see. this trouble comes
very near to U.S."
How does 1t como near to you, my
dear?" Mary interrupted.
Mrs. Slade," Katherine set herself
bravely to what she knew would be
a bitter task. MY father Is virtually
q beggar. You know how we livel
People think we're rich. Well-we're
poori We're getting poorer every day
Every penny Is tied up in-politics.
My father was the first to see Mr..
SHADES strength. He is now living
on Mr.. SHADES future"
Mary nodded.
Mr.. Slsds IL very important man,
Katherine went on, but no matter
how much people admire him he can
easily be ruined by scandal"
Il haven't any desire to ruin my
husband" Mars protested, quickly.
No, I'm sure you haven't" Kath-
crime was more at ease as the CON
versation progressed. But you being
here and he being few miles away.
OF course, there's no excuse to be
offered. Is there? 1t is a scandal Pc
litically and socially he's ruined unless
he comes back here, or you" Kath-
crime paused. for the simple reason
that she didn't have the heart to I'm
ish.
"Or l 20 away" Mary completed the
sentence. Yes. and II / go away
know what that means. No. I'm not
going away. Miss Strickland, you tell
your father and his friends, from
me-"
"Oh. no-please," Katherine object
ed Il came quite alone, unknown to
him."
We'll, you might as we'll tell him
or anyone else that wants to know
"Oh. no. 1 couldn't. Mrs. Slade. |
couldn't carry any messages. came
here to md out" Katherine checked
herself. The situation was suddenly
becoming embarrassing.
We'll. now, you know" Mary an
swered, there won't be any divorce"
Il see-yes-" and she took up her
gloves, preparatory to going.
I'm very sorry," Mary explained,
that others should suffer through
this. but that's how it stands. For
once in his life Dan Slade is not GO
ing to have his own way" She smiled.
Now, let's talk of something else. l
hear you draw pictures of your dresses
designs Is that one OF your own
gowns?"
"Oh, yes" Katherine replied, ami
ably. Il often do little sketches for
the fashion magazines, and do busts.
My friends think it's a fad, when as
matter OF fact. it's for money. for
clothes and things"
Il had no idea" Mary was all sym
pathy and understanding. You're SO
young and need pretty things. That's
one OF the joys I've missed-dressing
daughterl You know" she began.
suddenly. I've heard great deal of
you, and you're not at all the young
lady supposed you were. You're Just
as simple and sweet and natural as
you can be. And your affection for
your fatherl"
Mary got up and, selecting the love
Hest rose from the cluster In the vase
carefully wiped the stem and handed
it to Katherine.
Won't you stay for a bit of din
ner! Better have Just a bite"
i must CO." returned Katherine alb
sently. Somehow or other she hadn't
quite expected this sort of a Visit.
1922 nav h I odiu dulLu1QE TO
trouble you" she fastened to add.
What | said about this running Mr.
Slade is Just an echo OF what his
friends say"
My dear child, you haven't hurt INV
feelings. Perhaps you know some
thing l don't know" she asked. sud
denly. DO sit down again. Stay Just
a minute. I'd like to talk some more.
You're out in the world and I'm quite
alone People aren't as frank with
me as they might be. Suppose I'm
your mother-just let me say it-and
my husband wanted diyorce-he's
old enough to be your father-we'd all
get together to md out why. wouldn't
ve7"
4 suppose we would" and Kath-
crime took the chair Mrs. Slads had
indicated
What want to know is whv
people think Mr.. Slade wants a d.
vorce! Why. liant a separation bad
enouEh7-
Il don't know that r. For the life of
her she could think Of no answer IN
this directly simple line OF questioning
Well. there's only one reason 7
ever knew Of" Mary continued "wba,