Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-02-12
CHAPTER lx-Contlnued.

CHAPTER lX-ContInued.
Conscious of the song, Mary remem-
bered the lamb stew that she had left
cooking on the kitchen fire. Dan had
always loved lamb stew; that Ia, her
lamb stew. She remembered how |
heartily he always ate Of 1t, how he
never failed to pass his plate for q
second helping" and how no used i
to look up at her and say:
This lie tapping good. Mary.
think will have bit more"
Just as II he needed any urging!
Mary found her thoughts growing
very tender when she suddenly re-
membered that tonight she must sit
down alone at the table, that instead
of two she would only serve one plate
full OF that stew. Her heart contracted
with a pathetic, futile longing for
things as they used to be-" and grew
bitter as she remembered conditions
as they were. Che sat with her face
pillowed on her arms. so absorbed IN
her unhappy reflections that she didn't
hear the door open, didn't hear step
until someone leaned over and kissed
her tenderly on the faded cheek that
Dan used to pat so lovingly and declare
was lovelier than their garden roses.
"Oh, Rob!" Mary exclaimed, start
ing up in glad surprise. Il didn't hear
you drive up"
Il didn't" Bob laughed, good
naturally. my car is stranded two
blocks back" and he threw his linen
buster on the sofa as Mary fastened
in her fond little way to take his hand
and hover about him.
"It's strange how near town this
place seems to be-" Bob ratified on.
when we lived here before 1t was
clear out In the country, but with
motor car It's right next door to
town"
well. aunty," and he stretched
himself out in an easy chair. Il sup
pose it's like heaven to you to get
back here to the old home you lived
in SO many years?"
YES" Mary agreed, rather indiffer-
Sently.
ANY OF the old neighbors left. I'd
like to see them-some OF EN-"
II never noticed before how many
questions old neighbors could ask,
Rob-" Mary sighed, as she recounted
the curious visits of her old friends
who had inquired anxiously and re-
peatedly for Mr.. Slade, how he was
getting on, and when he would be
down, and a dozen other questions In
the phraseology of people who, as ole
friends, take the liberty Of coming al
near as possible to demanding thai
you unburden your soul to them OF
the spot. You'll kind Of have t.
dodge 'em, Bob. Il don't know whel
I've lied 80. What do you think o
. man who forces a woman to lie!"
WELL" Hayes hated the old subject
hated the thought Of Mary dwelling
continually on her unhappiness
Didn't they know about Slade?" an
~ began to toy with the spools o
thread that Mary had been using TO
the inevitable sewing that had 30 NJ
noyed her husband.
EITHER they don't know or the
want to md out more than they a
ready know" Mary answered. wearil!
$50 l sit here lying and lying"
You intend to stick 1t out and sta
hsrsf"
yes" Mary answered with q quit
determination
We'll, he can't call this desertion
Hayes went on. You own this houa
togsthes. It's your homo - well q
his.s
~Yss," agreed Mary, but It's awf'
Ashting my husband What's the ms
tsr With you. Bob? You used to to
ne q lot about Miss Strickland, Al
latsly you-havs you had any trouble
lshs asked. kindly. forgetting her ov
sorTow q ths thought Of the possib
unhappinsss Of this young man who
she loved - tenderly ~ II he had be,
her own SON
Don't let NJ talk about her." b
-eb5eotsd.
IAN right, Robert" Mary attempt
70 be CHEEKY a. she saw how abstra'
I'D and detected Bob was. Dim
win be ready in . minute and y
can sit right down."
II won't give In to himI" she
elared ~ she put on an extra pla
ana kuuo duo lOTh. II neFoi -
him that divorce"
Don't you ever think Of anythi
slsef- Hayes questioned. soberly.
mo; It's no use, Robert; l get
and cold hating my husband when
think how he is treating me. | kn'
Ats wrong, but l dol Sometimes VIII
wake up suddenly in the night a
see the old room and remember Il
he's living at his club and enjoy