Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1915-01-01
BY GERTRUDE STEVENSC

more" her voice quaverlng. I'm the
only one who tells you all the truth.
Everyone else is afraid Of you.
Don't let them flatter you," she
said, with more maternal than wifely
solicitude. "They can. found that
out. Father! You're an awful fool
with your money. You never had but
one real friend. That's me. You'll
find 1t out"
'T'll look out" Slade promised, and
there was note of relief In his tone
at her change of attitude.
do you want me to 60 away from
our house right Off" Mary asked, as
II the idea of actual leaving had just
occurred to her.
"Ohl" Slade hesitated. The details
did seem rather cold-blooded. "But
it'll be better when it's all settled"
"All right" Mary's voice was pa
tient and colorless. "Pd like to feel
/ was goin' where you wanted me to
go-wherever 'tis-and-doin' what
yer wanted me to"
Thank you, Mary" and the surface
PoiitChCob bCCmCN btahkCiy oos Va
place from this man who was turning
the wife of his youth adrift- "Of
course it'll be arranged that you get
the best Of the divorce. I'll attend to
that. You simply leave 1t to me-"
"A divorce" interrupted Mary. Her
eyes widened with amazement. and
she came up to him, her mouth open
with surprise. "a 'divorcei"
"A divorce-why. yes-a separation
what's the difference?" Slade was
STOPPING now to deceive the little
woman, who was herself the soul oi
truth and honor.
WHAT" the woman gasped.
"A separation Is the same thing ai
a divorce" and he lied shamefully.
| "Is itT
1T will be done quietly" he went
| on.
why. Dan Sladei" She could moi
believe her ears. Give up your name
Why, you might as well ask me Il
give up my eyes. I've got 1t now
you're looking for younger. Yo,
can't have a divorce. Dan!" All hel
tears were dry now and q new fbeI
in her voice.
81 will have It," stormed Slade, en-
ragged because her mood had change,
at the word divorce" just when b,
had been congratulating himself tina
the difficulty was all nicely adjusted
That's all there Is to II. I will hav
It"
Anything else. Dan. Anything elk
not q divorce. You mustn't ask m
to take the name I've carried all thes
years and throw It away. I'm sivin
in. but leave my name. I'm givir
up everything else"
You might as well stopi" he warne
her threateningly. You're goin
now. tonight. the first train East Il
morrow. Go where you like, see wha
you like, do what you like. spend yha
: you like. To what you have I'll ad
q million more, but I'm going to hav
, this done in my own way"
"oh. Danl" she shrank from hi
wrath. I'm going home"
mo. you're not. until this thing
!! settled. My minds made up. / don
: want to quarrel with you. and shoul
} II you fought me-"
81 won't let you. You can't do It.
81 can't do It, chr" The word can
i was like a red rag to bull. He stoo
, over her with darkening face an
shaking fst. Don't you know bette
/ than to stand there and tell me that
D Have I got to hear It from you
Haven't you seen what happened
4 man, woman and child. all Of 'em, WI
ever told me that to my facet L
y do Il! I'll do It now. by God!" and
3 strode angrily up and down the roof
The angrier her husband becam
n the calmer and more determined ws
!. Mary Slade.
n "Dan," she began very gently. b
n firmly. you're stubborn. but you ain
|. bit more stubborn than am whs
I'm right, and now am.
a "You can 20 ahead. Do all you lik
q but this time you won't conquer, b
v cause I'm going to fight you, fathe
!. I'm going to fight you, DAN"
u Then with head proudly erect, 81
a walked to the door. threw II open ar
r cried, Just bit Historically In spi
a OF her effort to keep her voice stead.