Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-06-29

whole being was in revolt against the
situation in which he found himself.
1t was after a sIeepless night-a most
unheard of thing with him-that he
decided he could let things go no long
er. He went to Alix' room, knocked
and entered.
Alix was up, though the hour was
early for her. Fresh from her bath she
sat in sheen of blue dressing gown
before the mirror doing her own hair.
Gerry glanced around him and into
the bathroom looking for the maid
''Good-morning," said Alix "She's
not here. Did you want to see herr"
He was standing beside an open
window. He could feel the cold ar on
his hands. He felt like putting his
head out into it. His head was hot.
''AliX," he said suddenly without look
ing at her, Il wast you to drop Alan"
But l don't want to drop Alan"
replied Alix lightly.
Gerry whirled around at her tone.
His nOStrils were Quiyering. To his
amazement his hands fairly itched to
clutch her beautiful throat. lie could
hardly control his voice. ''Stop pay
ing, AliX," he gulped. There's never
been a Divorce among the Lansings
nor a wifebeater and one is as near
this room as the other right now"
Gerry regretted the words as soon
as he had said them but Alix was not
angry. She looked at him through mar
rowed eyes. She specialized on the
sensation Of being roughly handled by
this rock of man. There was some
thing tremendous and impressive in
his anger and struggle for control.
Gerry bit his lips and turned from
her. And Alan, of all men," he went
on. At the words the current of her
thoughts was changed. She found her
self suddenly on the defensive DO
you think you are the first woman he
has played with and betrayed?" Ger
rvs lip was curved to sneer. "a
philanderer A man who surrounds
himself with furnished regulations"
A dull glow came into Alix' cheeks.
'Philanderers are of many Breeds"
she said. There are those who have
the wit to philander with woman and
those who can only rise to whisky or
a golf club. Whatever else Alan may
be he Is not time server"
Once aroused Alix had taken up the
gauntlet with no uncertain hand. Her
first words carried the war into the
enemy's camp and they were barbed.
What do you mean?" said Gerry
duly. He had act anticipated a de-
Tense.
Il mean what you have deduced
with an effort. What are you but
philanderer in little things where Alan
is in great? What have you ever done
TO hold me or any other woman? | re-
spected you once for what you were
going to be- That has died. Did you
think [ was going to make you into a
man?"
Gerry stood, breathing hard, a great
dependency In his heart Alix went
on pitilessly. What have you be-
come? A monumental time-server on
the world and you are surprised that
worker reaches the prize that you can
not attain! The trouble with you is
that you have built your life altogether
on traditions. 1t is a tradition that
your women are faithful, so you need
not exert yourself to holding yours!
1t is tradition that you can do no
wrong, SO you need not exert yourself
to doing anything at all! You are play
ing with ghosts. Gerry. Your party
was over generation ago"
AlfX had Gained down There was
still time for Gerry to choke her to
| good effect. The hour could yet be
his. But he did not know it. Smart
ing under the lash Of Alix' tongue he
| made a final and disastrous false step
You try to humiliate me BY piac-