Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1915-03-05
CHAPTER xl-Continued.

pause, Dut-lVe sort OF changed
my mind" and he reached for the
pickle jar These pickles fairly
make my mouth water They're very
good" he went on, appreciatively
Well. what's changed your" Mary
refused to be diverted by the subject
of dinner at noon or the all-impor-
tant matter of pickles.
you know I'm kind of glad to see
the place again. and you know,
like this stew" and he proceeded to
busy himself with the matter OF eat
ing-anything to gain time under
Marys merciless. persistent question
ing.
Have a biscuit" suggested Mary
"and-tell me why you came out
here
Slade looked longingly toward the
window, as if he expected to find an
Inspiration for a suitable answer
there
why, the old rosebush out there
yet, holding the fort" he exclaimed
II must have look at it" and leav-
ing his dinner, he went over to the
window
Mary hurriedly refilled his plate
with stew the moment his back was
turned
Il declared" He was still enthusing
over the rosebush quite a bushl"
He was beginning to feel more at
ease He had the satisfied feeling
that comes to every man when his
stomach is full. He felt very benign
toward Mary, even toward Katherine
and Hayes.
I'll tell you what am going to do,
Mary" he began. you like this
house-always did Well, you can
stay here. l won't oppose it. There's
nothing in the world you want
wouldn't give you-nothing Now.
what can ! do for you? What can
L"
Mary shook her head and laughed
quietly.
Why, Nary" Slade was distressed
at having his patronizing advances
treated In such a manner.
oh Dan, DAM" Mary laughed,
mockingly. unable longer to conceal
her feelings. Slade realized in an in
slant that Mary knew everything.
We'll, I'll tell you one thingl" he
blurted out Il never cared a button
for that girl-if that's what you
mean swear / didn't"
Who said you did, DAM" Mary's
manner was provokingly calm.
Il never did, I'm not that kind OF
man, and you know t." he pro-
tested
Who's accusing you? l never men,
toned her name. But, Dan, she's very
young and very pretty, and l don't
blame you as long as you were going
to try another wife. You might as
well have had one who was young
and pretty"
Slade pooh-poohed vigorously.
Il hope the next one you get will
be just as pretty, for your sake"
There isn't going to be next
one" protested Slade. after the man
ner OF all men.
"Oh. yes there is; you've got the
idea now. The mere fact that you
missed this time viii keep you at it,"
I've got enough" Slade saw that
frankness was the only way out Of
1t. I'm not going to make a devilish
fool of myself again"
Don't let your coffee get cold" re-
minded Mary, tantalizingly Now,
Dan, you wanted me to go away. and
/ Will. I've made up my mind"
But don't want you to go away"
5lade demonstrated I'VE can arrange
everything right here and now. This
determination OF yours is pretty sud
den. isn't it?"
mot as sudden as your change of
mind when you first came into this
room today"
We'll. where are you going?"
"Oh, l don't know" Mary replied,
indifferently. What does become OF
divorced women"
Now, Mary. don't talk like that;
It amt natural from you" This time
Slade was doing the pleading. You
can't go of alone like this"
"Oh, can't 1? ] could a week ago,
or an hour ago. Why can't / now? 1
can't walt to pack my things"
Slade gazed at his wife in amaze
ment. II the patient rug on which
he had thoughtlessly trampled so long
had suddenly been transformed into
snarling animal. Slade could not
have been any more surprised
why, Mary, see here" he began,
then stopped. "Oh, hi, what's the
user You meet me half way in the
way ! want TO live, and you'd better
come home. Well open the house in
town again, and Wen make the best
OF things Therei Wen make the
best OF things"
How can WEI" argued Mary IF
! was old-fRshioned and behind the
times and held you back week ago,
why wouldn't / now7 Try as hard as
might, you said / couldn't help you.
I'm just the same today as was a
week ago. l haven't changed a bit.
I'm Just the plain little dud l always
was. What's true Monday is true
Tuesday We can't get back to where
we were once"