Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-25

Stella sat watching the gray lines Of
rain beat down on the asphalt. the
muddy ryucts that strcamcd along the
gutter. A fororn signing of wind IN
the bare boughs of a gaunt elm that
stood before her window reminded her
aehingly Of the wind drone among the
tall frs
A ghastly two weeks had interviewed
since Jack juniors little life blinked
out. There had been wild moments
when she wished she could keep him
company on that journey into the I'M
known, but grief seldom kills. Some
times It hardens Always it works a
change, a greater or less revamping of
the spirit 1t was so with Stella lfyfe
although she was not kcenly aware Of
any fortnight metamorrhosis. She
was for the present too actively In.
volvcd in material changes.
The swapping Of that last link served
to deepen and widen the gulf between
her and Fyfe. He went about his bust
ness grave and preoccupied. They sci
dom talked together She knew that
his boy hnd meant a lot to him, but he
had his wtfk. He did nh have to sit
y til folded hands and think until
thought drove him into the boys of mel
ancholy.
And so the break came. With des-
perate abruptncss Stella told him that
she could not stay; that feeling as she
did she despised herself for unwilling
acceptance Of everything where she
could give nothing In return that the
original mistake of their marriage
would never he rcctiiied by perpetual
ton of that mistake.
whats the use, Jack?' she finished.
You and | are so made that we can't
be neutral. We've got to be thorough
IS in accord or we have to part. There's
no chance for US TO get back to the old
way of living. | don't want to; can't.
could never be complaisant and agree
able again We might as well come to
full stop and each 90 his own way
She had braced herself for clash Of
wills. There was none. Fyfc listened
to her, looked at her long and earnestly
and in the end made quick, inpatient
/ gesture with his hands.
"Your lifc's your own to make what
you please of now that the kids nc
longer factor" he said quietly. What
do you want to do? Have you made
any plans?"
Il have to live, naturally she re
Piled "Since I've got my voice back
feel sure l can turn that to account
| should like to 60 to Seattle first ant
look around. 1t can be supposed
have gone visiting until one or the Other
Of us takes decisive legal step
"Thats simple enough" he returned
after minutes reflection. "Well Il
it has to be, for Gods sake let's get !
over with!
And now It was over with. Fyfe re
marked once that with them luckily I
was not a question Of money. But TO
Stella 1t was indeed an economic prob
lem. When she left Roaring lake he
private account contained over $4,000
Her last act in Vancouver was to re
deposit that to her husbands credit
Only so did she feel that she could e,
free Of all obligation, clean handed
without stultifying herself In her owl
eyes. She had treasured as keepsake
the only money she had ever earned II
her life, her brothers check for $21C
the wages of that sordid period In tn
cook house. She had it now-$270 CAPT
tai. She hadn't sold herself for that
She had given honest value, double an
treble, In the sweat Of her brow. Sh
was here now, in five dollar Il wee
housekeeping room, foot loose, free Il
the wind. That was Fyfe's last word t
= her. He had come with her to Senttl
and waited patiently at hotel unit
she had found place to live. Then h
| had gone away without protest.
. "Well, Stella he had said, II gucs
this IL the end of our experiment
six montls-undcr the state law-yo
Q can be legally free by a techniealit.
$ SO far as I'm concerned, you're free II
e the wind right now. Good hick to YOU
2 He turned nway with Il smile on hi
Q lips, a smile that his eyes belied, nn
! she watched him walk to the corne
through the same sort Of driving raj