The Raymer enterprise., 1917-05-17

SELF"
"Wait! We had our understanding.
Alaire's voice was low and vibrant.
1T WAS my payment for living with
you, and you know 1t. You gave me
the reins TO Las Palmas so that I'd
have something to do, something 10
live for and think about, except-your
actions. The ranch has doubled In
value, every penny Is accounted for,
and you have more money to spend
on yourself than ever before. You have
no reason TO complain"
Austin crushed his napkin into ball
and flung II from him; with scowl
he showed himself back from the table.
1T was an idiotlc arrangement, just
1.-THE same. agreed because | was sick.
Dad thought | was all shot to pieces.
But Tn all right now and able TO run
my own business"
Nevertheless, ii was a bargain, and
II will stand. II your father were alive
he'd make you live up TO IT,"
You talk as II / were a child.
shouted her husband; and his plump
face was npopleetic with rage. "The
title Is in my name. How could he
make me do anythingf'
"Nobody could force you" his wife
said, quietly. "You are still enough Of
man 10 keep your word, believe. SO
long as observe my part Of our bar.
gainTn
Ed, slightly Modified. agreed. "Of
course ] am; ! never WEIGHED. But
| won't be treated as an incompetent,
and I'm tired Of these eternal wrangles
and jangles."
You have WEIGHED"
"Ehi" Austin frowned belllgerently
You agreed TO go away when you
felt your appetite coming on. and you
promised to live clean, at least around
home"
"WellY
Alalre went on In llfeless tone that
covered the seething emotions within
her. Il never inquire into your actions
at San Antonio or other large cities,
although Of course ! have ears and
can't help hearing about them; but
these border towns are home to us,
and people know me. / won't be humil.
lated more than am; public pity is
hard enough to bear. I've about
reached the breaking point"
'Indeedfs Austin leaned forward,
his eyes infamed. His tone was raised,
needless Of possible eavesdroppers.
Then why don't you end III Why
don't you divorce me7 l never see
anything OF you. You have your part
OF the house and have mine; all we
share In common Is meal hours, and
md mail address"
Alaire turned upon him eyes dark
with misery. you know why don't
divorce you. No. Ed. we're going to
live out our agreement, and these
Brownsville episodes are going to
cease Her lips whitened. 80 are
your visits to the pumping station"
What do you mem by thatf'
"You transferred Panfilo because he
was growing jealous Of you and Rosa y
Ed burst into sudden laughter.
There's no harm In a little filtration.
Rosa's q pretty girl"
His wife uttered q breathless,
smothered exclamation; her hands, as
they lay on the table cloth, were tight
ly clenched. shes your tenant-al-
most your servant. What kind of a
man are your Haven't you any de-
eency leftr
Say! Go easy! / guess I'm no diff.
ferent TO most men, Austin's unpleas-
ant laughter had been succeeded by
still more unpleasant scowl. II have
to do something. It's dead enough
around here"
You must stop going there"
"Humphl / notice you 20 where
you please. Rosa and / never spent
night together In the chaparral--"
Ed" Alaire's exclamation was Ike
the snap Of a whip. She rose and
faced her husband, quivering as II the
lash had stung her flesh.
THAT went home. ehi Well, I'm no
fooll I've seen something Of the world,
and I've found that women are about
like men. I'd like to have look at this
David Law, this gunman. this Hand
some Harry who waits at water holes
for ladies in distress" Ed ignored his
wife's outflung hand, and continued,
'I'll bet he's all that's
manly and splendid, everything that
I'm not"
"You'd-hetter STOP gasped the
woman. II can't stand everything"
"Sof Well, neither can l."
"After-thls, ! think you'd better
go-to San Antonio. Maybe I'll forget
before you come back"
To this "Young Ed agreed quickly
enough. "Good!n said he. "That suits
me, I'll at least get a little peace Mt
my club" He glowered after his wife
ms she left the room. Then, still seowl-
Ing, he 'lurched out TO the gallery
where the breeze was blowing, and
flung himself into chair.
Eds marriage TO Alaire had been In.
evitable. They had been playmates,