Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1915-02-05
CHAPTER vlII-contInued

6lade n%ervously assured himself
that all the doors were tightly closed.
He suppressed the twinge of shame
FOR his stealthy action by assuring
himself that it was not fear-simply
business caution. To his cowardly
~renching of his wife's heart he gave
nc thought at all. 1t was q move In
the game. He made 1t as dispassion-
ately as n mov a chessman on
the board. Mary was looking at him
with a new light in her brown eyes
rs he turned to her again. She spoke
again.
at was all right until you made
that lucky deal. Dan, with the money
/ helped you to make and you pulled
me out from behind my stove and
tried TO make me a parlor ornament.
I'd hate to think where you'd a beer
today, If yer had. five years ago you
took all the work / loved to do put of
my hands and row you're Furnishing
me because l did work"
No, 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 l am at my age, sitting
In idleness in a great big barn of a
house with my job gone" she finished
pathetically.
We'll, that's life" declared Slade
~unfeelingly.
NThnn fffS O nro4fr nnnr thin0 ~ anh
she shook her head sadly. No. it amt
life. 1t shouldn't be. There's some
thing wrong in a mans getting so
far up he can't live with the wife he
married because she cooked and
worked instead of playing. 1t amt
5usti"
"Oh, what's the use, Mary?" Slade
sighed YEARLY, as though he, and
not she, were the injured one.
"Dan." Mary lowered her voice and
looked at him earnestly. IF l brought
up a girl today and we were poor,
would you advise me to say Take
piano 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
gument. It's one-sided. Suppose I'd
changed and you'd stayed the same
what would all your friends say
Poor Slade, his wifeis crazy-or bad
probably bad No, yer can't get me
to see it,"
well, whether o see it or not
that's just where we stand. You'C
better let me call Robert to take you
home"
wait, Dan," she pleaded. 'Wil
you see me again at home, If i &c
now?"
There was a tense pause. slade dit
not reply.
Il see, l see." She dropped wearil!
into a chair and suddenly the tear
started in her eyes.
please, Mary, remember where 20,
are" Slade was a trife less cold
IN let o know my plans. All yo1
have to do is to abide by them. Yo1
say you'll do anything for me, that
all ! ask you to do, abide by my plans
! wish you much happiness, the bes
of everything, a life beyond anything
you eve had" and he was rapid
being carried away by his own mas
nAnimity. II shall always think G
you with the greatest affection" h
concluded, taking on a %patronizing al
and trying to make himself believ
his own empty sentiments. His sell
esteem had been severely torn in tn
last few moments of his wife's tall
He had almost caught a glimpse {
himself as he really was, but he Wa
fegaining what he was pleased to col
slider control of himself.
We'll, you've conquered" Mar
dabbed her eyes and nose and trie
to muster up sufficient courage
meet the situation. 81 give In. L
abide by your plans. Whatever yc
want me to do" her voice broke I'M
. sob. tell Robert-IM do it." I'll
tears continued to fall In spite
her. Her heart was breaking. H,
shoulders dropped pitifully, yet 81
3elt a certain sad Joy In acceding
his wishes. There was a kind of ha
piness in sacrificing herself to plea
him.
She began to pull her Gloves jer
lily, clumsily, finding some relief
having something to do. She W
struggling hard not to break down
not to cling wildly to him and b
him not to give her up.
She steadied herself finally.
"WeIl. Dan. there's one thi
you've got to be careful of-now tn
/ won't be rounn to hold you back
now that I won't be with you a