Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-02-05
CHAPTER vIIi-ContInued.

81
CHAPTER viIi-ContInued.
elade nervously assured himself
chat all the doors were tightly closed.
tor HE stealthy action by assuring
himself that 1t was not fear-simply
BUSINESS caution. To his cowardly
wrenching of his wife's heart he gave
no thought at ALL 1t was move In
the game. He made 1t as dispassion-
ately as one moves a chessman on
the board. Mary was looking at him
with a new light in her brown eyes
a. he turned to her again. She spoke
again.
1T was all right until you made
that lucky deal. Dan, with the money
helped you to make and you pulled
me out from behind my stove and
tried to make me parlor ornament.
I'd hate to think where you'd been
today, II yer had. Five years ago you
took all the work loved to do out OF
my hands and now you're Furnishing
me because did work."
mo, I'm not" Slade demonstrated.
moved in spite of himself by her
simple, eloquent argument.
yes, yuh are. Dan, you're just as
good as whipping me for layin' up
the foundation Of every dollar you've
got and here / am at my age, sitting
In idleness In great big barn of
house with my job gone" she finished
pathetically.
We'll, that's life." declared Slade
unfeelingly.
Then it's pretty poor thing" and
she shook her head sadly. No, 1t amt
life 1t shouldn't be. There's some
thing wrong in a mans getting SO
far up he can't live with the wife he
married because she cooked and
worked instead of playing. 1t amt
just"
"Oh, what's the use, Mary?" Slade
sighed YEARLY, as though he, and
not she, were the injured one.
"Dan," Mary lowered her voice and
looked at him earnestly. If brought
up a girl today and we were poor.
would you advise me to say, Take
plano lessons, learn languages, keep
up to the times, never mind doing
your share or being economical%"
"I'm not going to argue" Slade re-
Piled loftily.
"Yuh can't, Dan," declared Mary
with conviction. There amt no ar.
gument. It's one-sided. Suppose I'd
changed and you'd stayed the same
what would all your friends say
Poor Slade, his wifes crazy-or bad
probably bad No. yer can't get me
70 see I'll"
well, whether you see 1t or not
that's just where we stand. You'd
better let me call Robert to take you
home
wait, Dan," she pleaded. vii
you see me again at home, II ! &c
Aowf"
There was a tense pause Slade die
not reply.
II see. see." She dropped wearil!
Into q chair and suddenly the tear
started in her eyes.
Please, Mary, remember where 20,
are" Slade was trifle less cold
~I1l let you know my plans. All YOU
have to do is to abide by them. 70,
Bay you'll do anything for me, that
all I ask you to do. abide by my plans
I wish you much happiness, the hes
Of everything. a life beyond anything
you ever had" and he was rapid
being carried away by his own mag
nanimity. II shall always think Q
you with the greatest affection" h
concluded, taking on patronixing al
and trying to make himself believ
his own empty sentiments. His sell
esteem had been severely torn In tn
last few moments of his wife's tall
He had almost caught glimpse {
himself as he really was. but he wa
regaining what he was pleased to COL
sidsr control OF himself.
We'll, you've conquered" Mar
dabbsd her eyes and nose and trie
to muster up sufficient courage
meet the situation. II give in. /
abide BY your plans. Whatever yo
want mo to do" her voice broke In,
Q sob, tell Robert-In do It" tt
tearv continued to fall in spite
her. Her heart was breaking. HI
shoulders dropped pitifully. yet al
lsat certain sad Joy in acceding
his wishes. There was kind of ha
pdness In sacrificing herself to plea.
him.
She began to pull her gloves. jer
lily, clumsily. finding some relief
having something to do. She W;
struggling hard not to break down
not to cling wildly to him and bt
him not to give her up.
She steadied herself finally,
We'll. Dan, there's one thii
you've got to be careful of--now Oh
won't be rouna to hold you back
NOW TINT L N.ontt ne 18th Won FL