Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1915-01-08
CHAPTER lx-contlnued.

CHAPTER lx-ContInued.
Conscious of the song, Mary remem-
bered the lamb stew that she had left
cooking on the kitchen nrs. Dan had
always loved lamb stew; that is. her
lamb stew. She remembered how
heartily he always ate Of It, how he
never failed to pass his plate for .
second 'helpinig." and how he used
to look up At her and say:
This II tapping good. Mary. l
think will have . bit more"
Just a. 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
tul Of that stew. Her heart contracted
with q pathetic. futile longing for
things a. they used TO be-" and grew
bitter ~ she remembered conditions
as they were. Che sat with her face
pillowed on her arms. 30 absorbed In
her unhappy reflections that she didn't
hear the door open, didn't hear q 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. 81 didn't hear
you drive up"
81 didn't" Bob laughed, good.
naturedly. MY car IL stranded two
blocks back" and he threw his linen
duster on the eots a. Mary hastened
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 II was
clear out in the country. but with
q motor car its right next door to
town"
well, sunty." 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 homo you lived
In so many ysarf-
YES" Mary agreed. rather indifsr.
entity.
ANY Of the old nsighbos lsft, I'd
like 10 see them-soms Of EN-
Il never noticed before how many
questions old neighbors could ask.
Rob-" Mary sighed. a. she rscounted
the curious visits Of her old friends.
who had inquired anriously and 70
peatedly for Mr.. siade. how he was
getting on. and when he would be
down. and q dozen other questions In
the phraseology Of people who. as old
friends. take the liberty Of coming as
near a. possible to demanding that
you unburden your soul to them on
the spot You'll kind Of have to
dodge 'em. Bob. don't know whom
I've Lied 20. What do you think Of
man who forces Q woman to lis!-
Well" Hayes hated the old subject,
hated the thought Of Mary dwelling
continually on her unhappiness.
Didn't they know about sladsi" and
he began to toy with the spools OF
thread that Mary had been using for
the inevitable sewing that had 10 an.
noyed her husband.
Either they don't know or they
want TO md out more than they al
ready know" Mary answered. YEARLY.
80 sit here lying and lying"
You intend to stick II out and stay
heref
YES" Mary answered with q quiet
determination.
We'll, he can't call this dssertion. 81
Hayes went on. you own this house
together. It's your homo a. well an
his"
Yes" agreed Mary, but It's awful
lighting my husband what's the mat.
ter with you. Bobi You used to tell
me lot about Miss Strickland, and
lately you-have you had any troublef"
she asked. kindly. forgetting her own
sorrow at the thought OF tho possible
unhappiness Of this young man whom
she loved a. tenderly a. II he had been
her own son.
Won't lot us talk about her." Bob
objected.
All right, Robert" Mary attempted
to be chsery ~ she saw how abstract.
cd and detected Bob was. Dinner
will bs ready In . minute and you
can sit right down.
Il won't give In to himi" she dc.
elarsd A. she put on an extra plate
and knife and fork. "I'll never give
him that divorce"
Don't you ever think Of anything
slsef" Hayes questioned, soberly.
NO; It's no use. Robert; I get hot
and cold hating my husband when !
think how he Ia treating me. know
It's wrong. but ! dol Sometimes when
wake up suddenly In the night and
see the old room and remember that
he's living at his club and enjoying