Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-12-08

We never known what ii meant to
be really married" said Joan Trask
sadly "For six years hid myself
away because didn't happen To suit
your family
We'll. YOU didn't lose by it." said
the man TO whom money was all or
nearly all If my father had cut me
off you wouldn't lie living in luxury to-
day"
'All your money hasn't brought me
happiness. no other woman would
have borne what | have for fifteen
years. If you had Il spark of manhood
in you you'd lead decent life-if not
for my sake. then for your chidrens"
His manner changed from the iron
ical and cOntemptuOuS to the sarcastic.
The mention of children. which brings
the light OF joy and hope to the eyes
of the true father and the gladness of
life to his heart wrought no miracle in
the soul Of This man. so hardened to
all true feeling With sheer he re-
piled to his wife the mother of bis
children:
dren again.
You never consider them. They'll
soon be old enough to understand
1t was in an aggrieved tone that he
responded as though he had been ac-
cused unjusrIy:
They've got everything they want
too. They're getting good education
oil
they have 4 right to expect of me-"
oh. shOrtsighted father.
You're sending them out into the
world with 4 stigma
"Oh. stigma be hanged! | lead
pretty straight life. You don't expect
me to sit by the treSide twirling my
thumbs, do you: I've got time for
that thirty years from now"
1t was with sinking heart that
Joan Trask recognized the futility of
her arguments and her appeals to her
husband When reasoning fails fear
and self interest will prevail some
times. She decided to adopt differ
ent course with her sneering. cynical
husband. Wifely devotion had failed,
appeal to parental love had been in
vain She would try compulsion.
Her voice lost its appealing quality
and took on the tone of indignant wO-
manhood. conscious of its rights. as
she said:
4 won't stand it any longer-I'll get
a divorce"
The threat failed of its effect.
well. 90 ahead; | won't attempt to
prevent you" said Trask.
NO, you'll be glad. suppose"
Il won't be sorry. you can wager on
that
Again the tone stung her. But this
time in her reply there was something
which had been absent heretofore
contempt for the man whose name she
bore.
And I've been living with you all
these years. she flung at him. But
again her words and tone failed to hit
their mark. if indeed they were intend
ed to rouse him.
well. why have your he asked.
"You know why-to keep up appear
ances on account of the children-tO
give them q good name.
And because l took pretty good care
of you" There was insult in the
words and manner. and her indigna-
ton. which had mounted steadily. now
fiared out in volcanic anger. She spoke
at length, for some time brooking no
interruptions:
"You talk as though you had been
bribing me to throw away my self re-
spect. ! won't take any more of it.
III bring suit against you tomorrow.
| should have done it years ago. |
did not because / always took your
word. | always deluded myself into
the belief that you were going to
change. I've waited just thirteen
years longer than l should. | might
have known. after that affair at Great
Neck
He had been listening to her quietly.
making no effort to stem the rising
tide Of her wrath. At the words