The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-11-15
ssThe WOman'S Law"
Thompson Copyright 1914 by Frederick Stokes Co.
NEXT WEEK. "cAPN ERL BY JOSEPH c. LINCOLN
q. Copyright, 1914, by Frederick A

moment she lay unresisting
against his breast.
Even when free OF his clasp she
could only stare at him in sort
OF daze and regret rather than
wrath was In her low voice.
you have. broken our agree
ment-oh, how could your"
"Why? You are my wife and l
love YOU"
But / do not look on you as a
husband, and do not love YOU"
Gail! Don't say that! Why, for
these three months we have
been"
"Three months!" she cried, forc-
ing seorn into her voice. "You ex-
pect three months decency to
drown out Of my memory seven
years Of humiliation, of the most
brutal neglect
The man walked the floor for q
few moments, stopped abruptly be-
side her.
stop shivering, Gail. will not
touch you." He spoke roughly,
then his voice softened. Forgive
me! l forgot that you yet have
your memories, that you cannot so
easily associate me from my
past"
He took another turn about the
room, again stopped beside her.
1--WE broken out of my traces,
and you're afraid l won't go back
into harness again. But i will
for a while. l can't promise how
long. You're my wife-I'm mad
with love for you-it's inevitable
that sometime But We'll be
friends as before, dear. Come,
shake hands. as you intended"
The face she turned to him was
CHASTITY.
otis the end. l must go away.
leave 1t to your fairness-about
He's my baby-you-
you will let me have him half the
time"
His eyes were bewildered.
"Why, Gail, dear!" He pushed a
chair toward her. ''Sit down." he
commanded, gently. Nov, Gail,
try and tell me what this terror
means. For three months we have
been daily companions, good COM
rades, joyous as six-year-olds. Nor
was 1t friendship that caused our
happiness. 1t was love, Gail.
love!"
mo The words were care
fully chosen. "It was not love-I
loathe you"
1t was the mans face now that
was gray. A moment, then a grim
ly sardonic smile curled his lips.
LET me congratulate you on
your perfect acting" he said curt
ly, but with note of jagged pain.
really believed that you wanted
to be in my arms as much as l
wanted to have you there. For
give me-" He bowed gravely.
And goodbye. l shall leave the
house after the Christmas festivi-
ties in the morning."
"And you would go-where? ?"
she whispered.
II think l shall go first to Colo
RADIO and see fathers relatives.
should like to find out more about
my family than you seem able to
tell me. Jackson says that Aunt
Maria was with us during most of
my boyhood. Surely she could
throw some light on the very mys-
FERROUS change in myself"
She gripped the chairs back.
Vance," she mumbled. 1T
would break his heart for you to
leave-now. The doctor thinks
that he will have to be operated on
for his throat-He would want
you here"
He folded his arms and stood in
meditation.
mo-" he uttered, at length. 1T
can't stay. If my touch is SO re-
pugnant to you that you would
give up Vance for half the time
rather than endure it, I should be
a monster to stay on here and keep
you in daily dread of another out
break"
She swayed unsteadily. He must
not go to Colorado. Aunt Maria
would discover the truth. She
knew every feature, every distinc-
tive mark, every blemish and
beauty of body of the real George
Orcutt.
No, he must not go. Yet-could
she deceive him again, play with
his affections?
Yes. For already she heard her
voice making sweetly appealing
sounds!
II don't want you to go-I, too,
have been happy these three
months-it is only that I can't yet
forget and am afraid. For-my
sake-won't you stay and be
friends a while longer"
Gail! Gail" His voice was
rapturous. I'VE will be only
friends, dear, till you do believe in
me. There is no other George Or
cult, beloved. / am your husband,
the image you hold was an inter-
loper. Please, dear, say George,
l." He stopped. Gail, you
have never called me George
Why?"
Because / called him that" she
cried, impulsively.
He laughed, with boyish happi-
ness.
II must have a name, dear. A
name from you will make a price,
less Christmas present" He bent
over her. What shall you call me,
my wifef"