Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1915-01-01

was the only sound in the room. It
was the first time he had ever been
harsh with her. She shrank back hurt
and frightened. why, good Lord,
Dan, you never did that before"
Then, with quiet dignity, she began
to pick up the basket, the hated darn
ing cotton, the needles and scissors.
and the little worn thimble. Slade,
watching her slight, STOPPING figure,
ought to have been ashamed. but his
anger was flaming hot and he didn't
as much as offer to help.
Mary's mood changed, too.
81 believe you're doing it to get your
own way" she sputtered, "but you
amt going to get it. I've got as much
right to my life as you've got to yours"
AS she came up to him. he stood
grim and silent, suddenly determined
that if she wouldn't go he would. II
she refused his offer of a home in the
country, then she could have this great
house to herself and he would live at
the club.
There amt anything you could ask
of me l wouldn't do-except-" Mary's
troubled face was looking into his.
Except what l ask" he finished, sar.
castically, and hurried from the room,
CURLY ordered his dressing bag packed
and then, hat in hand, his o~vercoat on
his arm, came back into the room.
Did it ever occur to you, Mary, that
you're a mule?" he asked. You're
sweet and good tempered and amiable
but you'd have given the mule that
came out of Noah's ark points on how
to be stubborn"
How often have l failed you In
these years, DAM"
You're failing me now. You won't
look at things with my eyes"
We're not n person, we're two.
DAN" she reminded him, quietly.
We'll, that's the trouble, we ought
to be one. That's Just what I'm get
ting at. We ought to be of one mind"
Whose? Yours?" and Mary's sweet
mouth puckered into a very little
smile.
I'm DONE" slade decided, hope.
lessly.
81 can remember the time when you
would have thought that was cum
ming" she reproached him.
I'm going to my club, Mary" he
announced, disregarding her playful
attempt to smooth things over.
Mary gazed at him, bewildered by
his swift changes of mood, hurt by
his attitude, almost angry because he
was so unreasonable.
Then love came rushing up into her
heart. After all he was her Dan. What
did this crossness or his
matter? She went up to him, pulled
his scarf a bit closer round his throat
and as he turned away with a NUT
tered word, waited patiently. Then,
laying her hand on his arm-such a
thin little hand, with his wedding ring
hanging loosely on it-asked: Shall
l wait up for your"
SHADES face worked convulsively.
She didn't understand, poor little soul.
He was going away for good, for all
time, and she was asking If she would
wait up for him. More than once be-
fore she had asked hat question of
Ehim, the question that from a wife's
lips, carries with it unspoken, tender
pleading. For a space he was torn
with emotions he could not define, had
hardly expected himself to feel. Some
thing babe him turn back upon ambi-
ton and pride and clasp into his arms
this little woman who had worked for
him, with him, who had had faith in
him when he was poor, and who had
struggled and cooked and shaved for
him that he might rise to his present
position.
But he struggled against the feeling,
fought it back and conquered.
NO, don't wait up for me-"
All right" Mary agreed. 81 won't,
If you don't want me to- and then,
with a roguish smile, "but l will wait
up for you all the same"
Slade was touched, but he stiffened
his shoulders. Wealth he had won,
honors he meant to have-and Kath-
crime Strickland.
Goodnight, Mary" he called, coldly,
as he hurried out of the room.
Left alone, Mary stood watching
him, a forlorn little figure.
Why, he didn't kiss me-" She hur
ried to the door. Dan, you forgot
something, DAM"
Slade, fastening to the door, halted
hesitated, turned back.
you come right back here and kiss
me-" Mary demanded, a~ffectionately
Such didoes; You kiss me-" She
raised her face for the kiss she thought
was goodnight" and which he meant
as "good-by." Slade stopped and LAID
his lips on hers, gently, reverently
then hurried out, almost as if he were
afraid to stay a minute longer.
Such didoes," Mary laughed to her
self. She looked around the great
empty room. 1t suddenly struck hel
that she had never really been happy
in this room. Riches had proved
burden rather than a pleasure. They