Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1915-02-05
CHAPTER vIlI-contInued.

slade nervously assured himself
that all the doors we're tightly closed.
He suppressed the twinge Of shame
for his stealthy action by assuring
himself that 1t was not fear-simply
business caution. To his cowardly
wrenching of his wifes heart he gave
no thought at all. 1t was move In
the game He made It as dispassion-
stely as one moves a chessman on
the board Mary was looking at him
with new light in her brown eyes
as he turned to her again. She spoke
again.
1T 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.
Id hate to think where you'd a been
today, If yer had. Five years ago you
took all the work loved to do out of
my hands and now you're Furnishing
me because l did work"
mo, 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 ! am at my age, sitting
in idleness in a great big barn of a
house with my job gone" she finished
pathetically.
Well, that's life" declared Slade
unfeelingly.
Then it's pretty poor thing and
she shook her head sadly. No, 1t amt
life. II 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. It amt
justl"
ooh. 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 brought
up a girl today and we we're poor
would you advise me to say, Take
piano lessons, learn languages. keeI
up to the times, never mind doing
your share or being economical? 2
sim not going to argue" Slade re
piled loftily,
"Yuh can't, DAN" declared Mary
with conviction. There amt no ar
gument. It's onesided Suppose I'd
changed and you'd stayed the same
what would all your friends say
Poor Slade, his wife's crazy-or bad
probably bad No. yer can't get me
to see it,"
We'll. whether you see 1t or not
that's just where we stand YOU'D
better let me call Robert to take you
home"
wait, Dan" she pleaded. "wn
you see me again at home, II &c
now?"
There was tense pause. slade die
not reply
II see, see." She dropped YEARLY
Into chair and suddenly the tear
started in her eyes.
Please, Mary, remember where yoa
are" Slade was a trife less cold
"I'1l let you know my plans. All YOU
have to do is to abide by them. You
say you'll do anything for me. that's
all ask you to do. abide by my plans
wish you much happiness, the hes
of everything life beyond anything
you ever had" and he was rapid,
being carried away by his own mag
nAnimity. Il shall always think o
you with the greatest affection" b,
concluded. taking on patronizing al
and trying to make himself believ'
his own empty sentiments. His self
esteem had been severely torn in thu
last few moments of his wife's talk
He had almost caught a glimpse o
himself as he really was, but he wa
regaining what he was pleased to con
slider control of himself.
We'll, you've conquered" Mar.
dabbed her eyes and nose and trie,
to muster up sufficient courage Z
meet the situation. Il give in. II
abide by your plans. Whatever yo
want me to do" her voice broke int
a sob, tell Robert-I1l do IT." Tn
tears continued to fall in spite c
her. Her heart was breaking. He
shoulders dropped pitifully, yet sh
FELT a certain sad Joy in acceding t
his wishes. There was a kind OF hal
piness IN sacrificing herself to pleas
him.
She began TO pull her gloves jerl
fly, clumsily, finding some relief
having something to do She wa
struggling hard not to break down
not to cling wildly to him and be
him not to give her up.
She steadied herself finally
We'll. Dan. there's one thin
you've got to be careful of-now IA.
won't be rouno to hold you back
now that ! won't be with you an