The Dermott news., 1914-07-16

va ~ ~ AAhN WIN NV ~ - .
she questioned, wistfully, very much
like an eager child who has been re
pressed.
mo" Slade replied. briefly and with
out much interest.
Mary breathed a quick sigh of relief
"Ah, then. we'll have a nice. quiet
pleasant evening" she declared. add
ing coaxingly Let's go upstairs and
have a game OF euchre. We haven't
played for ever so long
Slade looked at her. his eyes drawn
into a deep frown. 1t WAS true he
wasn't angry with her. but he was
angry at the thwarting circumstances
that were hemming him in. Her very
manner irritated him now-her quiet
contentment. her calm acceptance OF
her failure to meet his guests and fill
her place as mistress of his home mad
dened him. He was all the more de-
termined to fight for something else
to begin his campaign for a governor
ship and another woman that moment.
You can muse yourself after I'm
gone" he answered over his shoulder.
Then you are going OUT" Maryis
voice echoed the disappointment she
felt.
Yes" Slade continued to be mono-
syllable But l want to have a talk
with you. Mary-we've got to come
70 some understanding"
Why. what" Mary began. and
then stopped. For the first time she
noticed his changed and his
ayerted eyes. She started to tumble
with her workbasket.
Il cant put 1t off any longer. /
err Slade stopped short. He WAS
finding this attempt at an under
standing" much more difficult thar he
had anticipated.
What Is it you're trying to say.
Dam" Mary's voice was tirmer than
his. What's In your mind You keep
limiting at something lately and you
never finish it. What Is IT,
You're a rich woman in your own
name. Mary. Are you satisfied with
what I've settled on your"
Why. yes" came the quick re-
Spouse. as Mary's puzzled eyes
searched his for a reason for the
You've been mighty good to me. Dan.
How would you like to 60 and live
In the country. Mary
Glad surprise filled the woman's
eyes. Her thin cheeks flushed as she
clasped her hands excitedly
"Oh, Dan, you know I'd Ike It.
You're awfulIy good. father. | knew
you'd back down and give In. This
Is no place for us"
You leave me- out OF the question"
And to his credit the man became
~shamefaced.
II cant leave you out OF the Ques-
ton" she protested quickly. not an
inkling OF her husbands real meaning
having entered her head. In her per
feet love and loyalty she was imper
vious 10 any hint of neglect or disloy-
atty from him. Had she known his
thoughts her first care would have
been to soothe him as one whose
brain, overtaxed with affairs beyond
her understanding. had suddenly
clouded.
For an instant the mar was silent.
His ace was turned from hers and he
was looking out the doorway through
which the stately figure OF Katherine
Strickland had Just passed and through
which he hoped TO walk some day
governor.
"I-l-wouldn't go with you. Mary"
he finally turned and looked her
squarely in the eyes
"Why-where would YOU be- Where
would you live? Where would you >"
She stopped and then finished. "Pshaw.
That's all foolishness, Dan.
Mary" Slade was hrmer now. His
voice had IL ring OF f|nality. but Mary
didn't understand. Il cant go on apol.
ogizing for you eternally! You cant
have q headache every night must
either have a wife who can be the
head OF my household or none"
Into the woman's heart there leaped
a sharp fear. followed by the childish
idea that perhaps. because she wouldn't
go TO the opera, she was to be pun
ished-sent way alone-until she was
forgiven.
You're tired OF me-" she suggested
III that were true and you filled the
bill. we could put up with each other.
he returned brutally. but II isn't 80. :
Don't you love me-" she halt
breathed the question timidly.
For a brief instant something caught
at SHADES heart and tugged and tugged.
He turned with a look of infinite ten
derness and said. simply: Yes. Mary,
| do" His tons was genuine and sin.
cere.
Mary laughed a little. happy laugh.
At the sound SHADES mood changed
like a flash. 1t grated on his already
overweight nerves. 1t seemed to dis.
miss the controversy, to end the argu
ment. to ring the death-knell of the
dream that had come to him. The
| careless way in which she apparently
dropped the discussion of going away
nettled him. Prompted by a sudden
impulse, he snatched her workbasket
from her lap and flung il the full
length OF the room. "D-n hat has
keti" no exclaimed. Cant | aver see