The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1915-03-20
OopyEtght, loaa (Publica,
CHAPTER x-Continued,

Katherine quailed before this sud-
den outburst. Then the hope of in
duencing the woman to divorce her
husband spurred her on and she re-
piled:
Eyes, there u.s."
lis she" Mary was unpfepared
for the admission in spite Of all she
had said. Her voice broke rs she
young?"
YES" came from Katherine. Even
at that moment 1t occurred to her
that the situation was unparalleled
this wife asking her-"the other wom-
an"-about herself.
MANY years. difference In our
Ages?'
II think So" ~
lis she prettyf"
People say. she u.s."
Mary experienced q sudden revul-
sion of feeling.
Il don't believe It," she cried, re-
fusing to believe what was not pleas
ant to believe. Dan Slade wouldn't
You're mistaken"
Az Katherine made no reply. she
went on. But you seem to be sure :"
I'm certain" answered Katherine,
evenly and without emotion.
do you know herr"
The lace at Katherine's throat f1ut-
tered with her rapid breathing.
Eyes. slightly"
why, Dan Slade have another wom-
an in my old place! So that's it," as
Katherine remained silent. I'm much
obliged. I'll keep my word. He can
have his divorce any way he wants 1t.
She can have him and his name and
his money" her voice became shill.
Here, I'll give you something to give
him." and she darted into the adjoin-
Ing bedroom. ut will remind her OF
something she hasn't got-his youth!
His youth! His youth! Sect" and
she thrust before Katherine's eyes the
picture OF Dan Slade when they were
nrst married, the picture she had al
ways worn. That's the way he looked
when he was young. Tell her she
can keep It." And she forced the
/ brooch into Katherine's reluctant I'M
gefs. "She can see what she's missed!
Well. I'm done with it-and with both
Of them. There!" and weak from her
frenxied outburst. she sank into
chair. There was intense silence Tor
4 moment. Katherine stood as II pet
rifed. Mary sat with brooding eyes,
thinking. She was the first to speak,
trying hard to be brave.
well, there's one comfort. It ain't
% though had any children. Who'd
ever have thought we would have
come to this-here In this house. II
/ had had = baby here's where It
would have been born-and that's the
real reason / stick TO this house-it
amt spunk.
I'VE were both very young" she
talked meditatively. more to herself
I than to Katherine. Il was awfully
happy. l couldn't wish you any bet
ter. DEAR" and she turned impulsively
to the girl. who sat amazed. breath
lessly watching her. than hoping to
y have q child by some young man you
cared for. There's no happiness like
# But one day there was an acct
dent In the mine and they came and
tnld me he was hurt-and thought.
p,raps. he was dead-and--my sudden
fear for him robbed US OF our little
child and me Of all the hope OF ever"
Her voice broke with the agony OF all
childless good women since the be-
ginning of time.
.See-in there" she pointed through
the open door into the next room. In
the bureau dfaWer--the one by the
window-there's all the little things
got ready years and years ago." her
voice ouivered piteously. And now
I'm old and there's another woman
\ Younger" the tears were streaming
Y dnw, her cheeks now and Katherines
heart ached in sympathy with her.
The girls throat was dry and her eyes
minded by tears as she repeated over
and over again to her accusing con.
science: Il didn't know. didn't
s know"
"If we'd only had children Mary
sobbed. losing herself in complete col
4 lanse. "Nothing counts but children.
d They're all we get out Of marriage
when we're old. II we'd only nao
children. he couldn't have left me ike
this" her shoulders shook.
Katherine started to her feet, un'
nble longer to bear the sight OF the
1oman's suffering.
1t cry, Mrs. Slade. don't cry
eaded.
God!v Mary exclaimed. How
I nlixe out my life!