Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1915-01-08
CHAPTER v.

Mary Slade sat down to the break
fast table with a certain sense of be-
wilderment 1t was the same this
morning as 1t had been each success
sive morning since Dams departure.
She could not bring herself to the real
ization of the fact that Dan had not
come home-apparently did not intend
to come home.
She had waited up the night he had
gone to the club, just as she had
waited up every night of their married
life, no matter where her husband
was or how late he might be coming
home. AS the night hours heightened
into day she was forced to the con-
clusion that Dan meant to stay away
for the night That he wouldn't be
home at all through the day never oc-
Cured to her. She reasoned that a
nights sleep would clear his mind
and that he would have recovered
from his ''tantrum" the next day. But
Dan didn't run in" that day nor the
next The days had become weeks,
yet neither by telephone nor letter had
he sent as much as a word.
Finally Mary had mustered up her
courage and telephoned his club. 1t
took courage for Mary to use the tele-
phone on any occasion. She was afraid
of the sound of her own voice the mo-
ment she began to talk into the trans
mitter. This time she feared Dams
d'spleasure and his possible harsh
ners Mr.. Slade was out, had left no
message, they did not know when he
would return, was the disappointing
result as she hung the receiver on the
hook.
This morning, as the maid served
her breakfast, she resolved to try
again. The situation was getting un
bearable. 1t was bad enough to live
in the great house and be surrounded
by servants with Dan there. Without
him she felt like a prisoner of state
and looked on the servants as so many
1ailers.
Leaving her breakfast practically
untasted. Mary again ventured to the
telephone. With faltering voice she
repeated the number. "One-three-nine
four" with beating heart she inquired
for "Mr. Slade;" with sinking courage
she received the answer that Mr.. Slads
had gone out. leaving no message
Again and again during the day she
repeated the call, only to receive q
similar reply. The possibility OF hel
husband having left such a message
to be delivered to her, whether he wal
there or not never occurred to tbs
truthful, simple-minded little woman
But Slade did not want to be reached
by her, and II an untruth, more OF
less. were necessary. the telephone
boy was easily bribed.
Meanwhile Slade was eagerly look
ing forward to his new life. Never I
man to waver, he did not once lool
back to the wife he had so coolly de
serted. He was b~tug dined and ban
quoted and feted. being everywher'
hailed as the candidate for governor
He was smiling the first breath of fu
turs glories with keenest delight. Thi
was the sort OF thing that made a maj
feel bigl This was the sort of life Il
lead-with men bowling and salaaminl
all around him. He walked with firme
tread. His shoulders were throw
back bit more arrogantly. His ches
was more noticeable as he wake,
down the street.
The innate conceit and self-esteer
of the man made him overlook the fac
that the party needed a rich man. II
was quite satisfied that he was bein
boosted by Strickland and the other
because of his brains, his unusual abb
fly, his oratory and his power to lea
men. He was happier than he ha
been for years. Every day the ne,
life looked brighter and the old les
desirable.
II he gave thought to Mary 1t wa
a passing one. Mary was "comfor
able" She had everything that none
could buy. The servants would be tai
ing good care of her, OF course. O
the lump in Mary's throat as she "a
at the lonely breakfast table and a
she went through the still more lone
some ordeal of the formal dinner, h
knew nothing. or the woman's achin
heart and her eyes bright with unshe
tears as she tried to keep up befor
the servants and make excuses for hi
absence, Slade was heartlessly oil
livious. Or perhaps it was self-esteeI
again, that made him unable to fee
for her-the self-esteem of the su,
cessful man who feels no wound
when fighting for what he wants, an
neither knows nor cares that other
feel them. He had heart, but it wa
unpleasantly like Pharaoh's.
But of Katherine Stricklands sta
uesque beauty and her cosmopolita
manner he was delightfully."- awar
During the weeks since he had LEI
home Slade had been calling reg
larly at the Strickland home, partly
consult with the senator and part
for the purpose Of poeing for the bui
which Katherine was modelling
they sat honr after hour he posin
cemforul'r 81 ro-k'7p Getty AL