Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1915-01-01
By GERTRUDE STEVENSON


| they say?" she asked, suddenly, as
she realized that her tender yearning
met with no response.
But her husband was in no com
m~unicative frame of mind,
You're not mad with me, are yer?"
she questioned, w~istfully, very much
like an eager child who has been re-
pressed.
mo" Slade replied, briefly and with
out much interest.
Mary breathed a quick sigh of relief.
"Ah, then, we'll have a nice, quiet,
pleasant evening" she declared, add
ing coaxingly: Let's go upstairs and
have a game of euchre. We haven't
played for ever so long"
Slade looked at her, his eyes drawn
into a deep frown. 1t was true he
wasn't angry with her. but he was
angry at the thwarting circumstances
that were hemming him in. Her very
manner irritated him now-her quiet
contentment, her calm acceptance of
her failure to meet his guests and fill
her place as mistress of his home mad
dened him. He was all the more de-
termined to fight for something else
to begin his campaign for a governor
ship and another m that moment.
You can amuse yourself after I'm
gone" he answered over his shoulder.
Then you are going out?" Mary's
voice echoed the disappointment she
felt.
YES" Slade continued to be mono
syllable. But l want to have a talk
with you. Mary-we've got to come
to some understanding"
why, WHAT" Mary began, and
then stopped. For the first time she
noticed his changed manner and his
averted eyes. She started to tumble
with her w~orkbasket.
Il can't put it off any longer. L
Err Slade stopped short. He was
finding this attempt at an under.
standing" much more difficult than he
had anticipated.
What is it you're trying to say,
DAMP" Mary's voice was firmer than
his. Whats in your mind? You keep
limiting at something lately and you
never finish it. What is it?"
, You're a rich woman in your own
name, Mary. Are you satisfied with
what I've settled on you?"
why, yes," came the quick re-
Spouse, as Mary's puzzled eyes
searched his for a reason for the
strange question. Then she added:
You've been mighty good tome, Dam
How would you like to go and live
in the country, Mary?"
Glad surprise filled the woman's
eyes. Her thin cheeks flushed as she
clasped her hands e~xcitedly.
"Oh, Dan, you know I'd like 1t
You're awfully good, father. l knew
you'd back down and give in. This
is no place for u.s."
you leave me out of the question
And to his credit the mar became
shamefaced.
Il can't leave you out Of the ques
tion," she protested quickly, not ar
inkling Of her husbands real meaning
having entered her head. In her per
feet love and loyalty she was imper
vious to any hint of neglect or disloy
atty from him. Had she known hi.
thoughts her first care would have
been to soothe him as one whose
brain, overtaxed with affairs beyond
her understanding, had suddenl.
clouded.
For an instant the man was silent
! His face was turned from hers and h,
. was looking out the doorway through
> which the stately figure of Katherin,
Strickland had just passed and through
D which he hoped to walk some day
governor.
y "I-I-wouldn't go with you, Mary,
! he finally turned and looked he
u squarely in the eyes,.
y "Why-where would you be? Wher,
= would you live? Where would you?
/ She stopped and then finished. "Pshaw
That's all foolishness, DAN"
) Mary" Slade was firmer now. Hi
, voice had a ring of fnality, but Mar,
didn't understand. II can't go on apo
= ogizing for you eternallyi You can
7 have a headache every night! / mus
y either have a wife who can be tn
. head of my household or none"
3 Into the woman's heart there leape
y a sharp fear, followed by the childis
idea that perhaps, because she wouldn'
= go to the opera, she was to be pur
q ished-sent away alone-until she wa
forgiven.
Q You're tired Of me-" she suggested
Il "If that were true and you filled tn
& bill, we could put up with each other,
u he returned brutally, "but it isn't so.
= Don't you love me?" she hal
. breathed the question timidly.
II For a brief instant something caugt
at SHADES heart and tugged and tugge,
He turned with a look of infinite tel
Y derness and said, simply: yes, Mar.
- l do" His tone was genuine and sill
ID cere.
u Mary laughed a little, happy laugl
At the sound SHADES mood change
. like q flash. 1t grated on his aIread