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

Katherine Quailed before this sud
den outburst. Then the hope OF In
fiuencing the woman to divorce her
husband spurred her on and she re-
piled:
"Yes, there is."
'Is She" Mary was unprepared
for the admission in spite Of all she
had said. Her voice broke "Is 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 wop
an"-about herself.
Many years difference In our
ages"
II think So"
"Is she prettyf"
People say she is."
Mary experienced sudden revul'
sion Of feeling.
81 don't believe It," she cried. re-
fusing to believe what was not pleas
ant to believe. Dan Slade wouldn't
You're mistaken"
AS 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 nut
tered with her rapid breathing.
'I-yes. slightly"
"Why, Dan Slade have another WON
an in my old place! So that's TT al
Katherine remained silent. I'm mucf
obliged. I'll keep my word. He car
have his divorce any way he wants II
She can have him and his name ant
his money" her voice became shill
Here, I'll give you something to giv'
him." and she darted into the adJoin
ing bedroom. "It will remind her o
something she hasn't got-his youth
His youth! His youth! Seer" ant
she thrust before Katherine's eyes tn
picture Of Dan Slade when they wer
first married, the picture she had a.
ways worn. That's the way he looke
when he was young. Tell her sh
can keep It." And she forced tn
brooch into Katherine's reluctant fir
gers. "She can see what she's missed
Well, I'm done with it-and with bot
Of them. There!" and weak from he
frenzied outburst, she sank into
chair. There was intense silence 10
a moment. Katherine stood as II pc
: rlfed. Mary sat with brooding eye
! thinking. She was the first to speal
trying hard to be brave.
We'll, there's one comfort 1t ain
as though / had any children. Who
+ ever have thought we would ha'
+ come to this-here in this house.
l. had had baby, here's where
q would have been born-and that's II
q real reason ! stick TO this house
+ amt spunk.
Q "We were both very young" 81
|. talked meditatively. more to herse
l. than to Katherine. II was awful
Q happy. | couldn't wish you any be
4 ter, dear" and she turned impulsive
q to the girl, who sat amazed, breat
lessly watching her. than hoping
!. have n child by some young man yC
q cared for. There's no happiness III
K Il. But one day there was an acc
v dent in the mine and they came al
A told me he was hurt-and | though
q praps, he was dead-and-my suddt
= fear for him robbed US OF our lit
;, child and me Of all the hope of ever
Her voice broke with the agony OF {
childless good women since the
ginning OF time.
Seem there" she pointed throut
D the open door into the next room. "
y the bureau drawer-the one by q
window-there's all the little thin
~ got ready years and years ago." h
Il voice quivered plteously. And nc
ID I'm old and there's another woman
u a younger" the tears we're streamil
u down her cheeks now and Katherin,
N heart ached in sympathy with h
y The girls throat was dry and her ey
ID blinded by tears as she repeated oy
d. and over again to her accusing &C