The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-20
The Choice
By F, Harris Deans

ne woman nervously clasped and
ullc.asped her hands on her knee
iier lace was death-white. excent for
TWO red patches on her cheeks.
We must deny nothing" she SAID
a iast controlling her voice.
ne man flicked his cigaretre.ash on
tue moor, but made no answer
iercely. i'es'e0
me man frowned at his cigarette
anu then rose abruptly TO his feet and
walked to the window. For momen+
ne stood staring gloomily into the
street The woman watched him anx.
iously 'Ai ''i
don't see why We should take it
lying down. he jerked out presently
The woman spoke no word. and the
man could not see her eyes.
Wen have to fight for it. ANYHOW. :
ne declared, decisively. He'll have a
aeVilish difficult job to prove any.
thing.
AND II he can't prove anything?
asked the woman, with a sudden husk.
mess. n
| Inc man turned and looked at her
| in surprise.
| Why then it's all right. Nothing
happens"
Il see" said the woman slowly
mat the idea-for nothing to hap
pen.
You talk as if YOU wanted some
thing to happen"
The woman looked into the dis
lance.
4 should have thought-you would
nave wanted this 10 come"
Wanted it? Good Lord, do yo,
think I'm mad? Who ever wants ,
thing like that TO happen?"
Besides, hang it all, he cried Will
sudden Indignation, you're his wife
he must be taught he can't chuck yol
over just because it suits his book"
oh, said the woman. and Their,
was a touch of irony in her tone it
for my sake we are going to fight?"
"Of course You don't seem t,
realize what your position would be i
he won. And there's the boy. too
you must think of him.
DO you think haven't thought o
him. she cried with sudden passion
DO you think I've waited for this mo
ment TO think of him-and decide?
settled all that with myself at the yer
first What sort of woman do yo
think | am?"
The man looked at her uncompre
hendingly.
You mustn't talk like that" he sal
sOothingly you're no worse tha
most of them"
The woman turned sharply as if sh
would strike him
THANK you" she said scornfully.
You understand me so beautifully,
she explained. Your consolation is s
gratifying delicate
The man shrugged his shoulder
with an angry fruwn.
Its no good rowing, he sale
we've got to hang together in thi
thing"
The woman took cigarette from
box on the table and, lighting i
smoked thoughtfully.
DO you remember, she asket
"once saying you wished you had mt
me before | married him."
YES" he said sullenly.
Did YOU mean it? You can tell M
now you know"
YES, suppose | did Well. yes
did. | do now, if it comes to tina
Why"
: Nothing, said the woman slowl
only"
For wonder the man partly unde
stood her.
do you think I'm blackguard?" i
!. burst out. of course, | shall if
IF you must, suggested the woma
with twisted smile.
: IF it's necessary" he replied shor
w. But il won't be necessary. He
got no proof. Suspicion won't he
him much.
And me? Has II occurred to yo
TO think about me- 1t won't be pa
!, ticularly agreeable 10 have been su
pected"
: IT'S better than being found out
answered the man gruttiy
The woman looked with stony eN'
along the two avenues of which II
future proffcred her choice.
She looked al the set face OF u
man
Yes, suppose it is, she assenie
: with a sigh