Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1915-02-19
CHAPTER xi.

straight into the eyes OF Dan Slade.
For moment the room was electric
with the intensity OF the situation.
Then the girl lifted her head proudly
and met Slade's eyes again. In them
he saw light he had never seen
there before, light OF soft tender
Less and deep Joy. a look that made
his heart start as he realized what he
had lost
Good morning, Mr.. Slade." she
said coldly as Bob led her out into
the summer sunshine and to life and
love.
AS Slade, hat In hand, stood gazing
at his wife, Mary realized that for
the first time in all their married life
she had the advantage. For once the
roles OF the humble and the domi
neering were reversed. There was
long pause, awkward only for Slade,
for Mary was quite at ease. He
coughed several times, and then, In
manner he thought quite approprl.
ate asked:
r what did that girl come here for
, -Miss-er-"
r "Oh-forgotten her name" came
4 from Mary, mocklngly. Miss Strlck-
a land came Just for visit"
"Well, what did she want7" Slads
demanded.
"She came to find out what meant
n to do" There was world OF irony
in Mary's tone.
/ what has that got to do with herr
;. I don't approve OF woman coming
, into my house to find out what you
, | don't like It! It's bit OF impu.
j, dence. What else did she have to
v say? Did sheer"
:, She's not very confidential GIRL"
= returned Mary. evasively.
II 81 see. So she and Robert have
"a made up?" Slade considered this
n rather a master stroke, BY continu.
ar ing such questions he might get at
n. the real state OF affairs
yes"
N "Well, well--I1l have to do some,
sr thing for them" Slade was pater
nally patronizing. but he did not do
M ceive Mary.
r. Your business out here today must
n. Slade tried frantically to find rea'
an son for his visit. When he had left
:. town II was for the one reason OF
"a trying to bully Mary into leaving the
no cottage and agreeing to divorce
IN With the complexion OF matters SC
or changed. he was at q complete loss
nd TO explain his visit. He was irri
I'M tated and annoyed. He was not used
to having the tables so completely
IN turned on him. More than that, the
~ little cottage never looked more In
n viting. As a matter OF fact. Slade
N. had often found the demands OF his
tn new life considerable OF a nuisance
I'm and as whif OF the savory lamt
en- stew came TO his nostrlls. n memory
at OF the peace and contentment OF the
20. old life flashed through his mind
bs Nothing at the club had been espe
~ cially tasty Of late. More than that
,o the drive down had given him al
or appetite.
NO. Cooking u stew. Nary" he asked
od rather abruptly and inconsequen
TALLY.
,o Just one Of my old stews," Mary
os voice was Indifferent. She was thor
o, oughly disEusted with her husband
80 now that she knew Just what he hat
i's planned TO do. Jealousy and out
-, ragged pride were In her heart. Tht
% man. for whom she had worked an
NO whose very faults and falllngs sh
had loved. had been dcllberatel
,d planning To thrust her aside for
woman who had enjoyed only tn
sweets Of life. woman whose yout
and beauty and social position pu
Mary completely out OF the contes
The very thought was salt In he
wounded heart
"l'll stay to dinner. II may" Al
nounced slade. removing his glove
and laying aside his coat
Certainly. Take your old chai
II you like" There was none OF tn
enthusiasm that might have been
Mary's voice II he had como earle
in the day. She was formally. pain
In takingly polite. You can talk owe
bit' your business while we eat"
hat Slade watched his wife from undo
eal lowered lids as he ate. He fears
ION that Mary knew everything. Tn
tie calm. constrained atmosphere WI
elf more battling than an emotional ou
burst would have been.
cts why did you come, Danr Mai
we was rather enjoying his dlscomfitur
BILE "oh, yes, I'm take my coffee no,
ay. II | may. good and strong"
led, Mary dropped In two Jumps ar
the right amount OF cream. moi
from long habit than any desire
please him.
Il came out here to DO you kno
u rather like my dinner at noon hou
ne like wo used to have It here Arer
uiu you eatlng?"
yo "oh. yes. III eat" replied Mar
ger but you haven't told me why "
ihg cams out"
CTo BE coNTINuED)