Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-08-10

COuiTOnt tue Ddiu IdCth Oh IRE, Huu 1
venture TO say she will soon forget her
schoolgirl morality. Let me explain
my views Of
"Neverv' cried the woman. aghast
''If you do / shall''- She checked her
self and buried her face In her hands.
II feel no regrets for myself-for
drifted with my eyes open-but this
this is different. Don't you understand
l am a mother. Or are you dead to
all decent feelingT'
my dear. ] am the most tender
hearted OF men. or course shall say
nothing, If you prefer. for ] am, sub
servient 10 your commands in all
things. But calm yourself. What is
done cannot be undone"
In more even tones Mrs. Gerard said:
you seem TO think the matter is end.
ed, but 1t isn't. Natalie will never al.
low us TO continue this way. and II
isn't just to her that we should. We
can't go on. Curtis
You mean I must marry your"
She nodded
He rose and paced the room before
answering. Il always supposed you
understood my views on that subject
Believe me, they are unalterable and
in no way the result OF pose"
Nevertheless. for my sake and Ma
tales. YOU will do II. 7 can't lose .ns
ops ,u.n- . @-s .ss, ~ - tsllg World"
ut would seem that Natalie has
filled your head with silly notions"
he exclaimed impatintly
"She has awakened me | have her
life TO consider as well as nay own"
I'VE are all individuals. supreme in
ourselves. responsible only TO ourselves.
We must all live our own lives. She
cannot live yours nor you hers"
Il am familiar with your argu
ments." Mrs. Gerard said YEARLY
but have thought this all out, and
there is no other way"
He srowned in his most impressive
manner. and his chest swelled omi-
nously.
II will not be coerced. You know
can't be bullied into thing. ! deny
that you have any right 10 demand
I'm not demanding anything. ! mere
ly ask this-this favor, the first one !
| have ever asked. You see. my pride is
crumbling. Don't answer now; let S
wait until we are both calmer. The
subject came ur,-ai least sine approach
ed it by asking about the coal claims
She is worried about them"
"Indeed?'
"She was told by friend in the land
office that our rights had been forfeit
ed. l assured her
II refused TO heed the absurd rul
ings of the department If that is what
she refers to-"
"Then we-have lost?" Mrs Gerard's
pallor increased.
Technically. yes! In reality i shall
show that our titles were good and
that our patents should issue"
"But'-the woman's bloodless finger.
were tightly interlaced-"all have
all Natalie has, is in those claims"
Yes. And IL would require another
fortune the size Of both To comply witt
the senseless vagaries OF the interior
department and to protect your inter
ests. ! grew weary OF forever sendins
good hard earned dollars after bad onci
merely because of the shifting whin
Of some theorist 5000 miles away"
Then am afraid Mrs. Gerardi
voice trailed out miserably. 1T is al
we have and you told me-
Gordon broke in irritably: My dea
Gloria. spare me this painful fault
finding. II ! can win for you shat
do SO. and then you will agree that
acted wisely. If lose-it will merel,
be the luck of the average investor
We played for big returns and. %
course. the risks were great"
But Mr. o Neil told her his claims"
Gordons blazing eyes warned her
"O'Neil. ch: SO he is the friend n
the land Office No doubt he also pav
Natalie the suggestion that led To- he
scene with YOU Tell her 10 uccup
herself less with affairs which do 30
concern her aud more with her owl
conduct Her actions with that up
start have been outrageous
What about your own actions witt
the Golden voman;" cried Mrs. &c
t rard. reverting with feminine insist
ence to the subject OF their first dill
ference. What are you going TO d
about hery'
Nothing.
Remember. refuse TO share tn
: same roof with her You wouldn't as
{ II OF your wife
Now this second reference 10 lis
, agreeable subject was unfortunate
Gordon was given 20 the widest vaua
ries OF temper aud this interview ha
, exasperated him beyond measure. fo
, he was strained by other worries. II
, exploded harshly:
Please remember that you are no
my wife. My ideas ON matrimony wi
, never change You ought TO know b.
his time that am granite"
, = can't give up Natalie. woul'
give up much. for we women don
: change, but
, "A fallacyp' he laughed disagree
, ably. Pardon me. Gloria, II tell yol
that you do change; that you hav
changed; that time has left its i'm
, print upon even you-a cruel fact. bu
, true" He took savage pleasure II
her trembling. for she had reused nj
! the devils in him and they were many
) You are growing tiredT
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