Macon beacon., 1917-08-03


good night, clumsily sought to force
an explanation.
"See here" no shot at her. whats
the matter with you latelyT He saw
that he had startled her, and that she
made nn effort to collect her wander
Ing thoughts. "You're about o. warm
and wlfely as stone idol"
"Am any different to what have
always beenT'
"Humph You haven't been exactly
sympathetic Of late. Here come home
sick, and you treat me like one Of the
help. Don't you think ! have feelings?
Jovel Tn lonesome"
Alaire regarded him speculatively,
then shook her head az II In answer to
some thought.
In an obvious and somewhat too mel
low effort to be friendly Ed continued
Don't let's go on like this, Alaire. You
blame me for going away 80 much, but
when I'm home I feel like On inter-
loper. You treat me like cow-thicf."
"rm sorry. I've tried to be every
thing should. I'm the interloper.'
Nonsense If we only got along
together as well as we seem to from the
outside, 1t wouldn't be bad ut ALL But
you're too severe You seem to think
man should be perfect. Well, none
Of us are, and I'm no worse than the
majority. Why, know lots Of fellows
who forget themselves and do things
they shouldn't, but they don't mean
anything by It. They have wives and
homes to go to when It's all over. But
have /? You're as glad to see me as
II / had smallpox. Maybe we've made
n mess Of things but married life isn't
what young girls think it is. A wife
must learn to give and take"
'I've given. What have I taken?''
she asked him in voice that quivered.
Ed made an impatient gesture. "Oh,
don't be so literal! mean that, since
we're man and wife, it's up to you to
be little more-broad-gauge In your
views"
"In other words, you want me to ig.
more your conduct. Is that it2 I'm
afraid we can't argue that, Ed"
"All right don't let's try to argue
It," he laughed. with what he consid
cred an admirable show of magnanim
ity. II hate arguments, anyhow; I'd
much rather have a goodnight kiss"
But when he stopped over her Alaire
held him off and turned her head
mol" she said.
"You haven't kissed me for"
IT don't wish to kiss you"
"Don't be silly" he insisted. "Come
now, want kiss"
Alaire thrust him back strongly, ant
he saw that her face had whltened
Oddly enough, her stubbornness an
gered him out Of all reason, and III
began harsh remonstrance. But h'
halted when she cried:
wait! / must tell you something
Ed. It's all over, and has been for ,
long time. We're going to end it,"
End it?'
1--WE can't go on living together. VIII.
should WEI"
"So7 Divorce? Is that it?'
Alaire nodded.
well, I'll be d--d!" Ed was dunn
founded. isn't this rather suddenf
he managed to inquire.
"Oh, no. You've suggested 1t NOR
than once"
II thought you didn't believe In dl
vorces-couldn't stomach 'emf What
happenedT
Il have changed my mind"
: "Humph People don't change thei
e minds In n minute" he cried angrily
a "Is there some other man?"
: Now Ed Austin had no faintest ide
Q that his wife would answer in the atiil
s native, for he had long ago learned t
: put implicit confidence In her, and he
$ life had been so open that he coul
: not imagine that 1t held n double II
l. IcEPSl. IHtiehoie hSA lSplS SlluSh LII
e speeChesS.
l. ayes, Ed" she said quietly. "Ther
= Is another man."
II 1t was like her not to evade. Sll
Q had never lied to him.
: Eds mouth opened; his reddene
d eyes protrudcd. "Well-" he stan
e mered. "Wenw Then after moment
IS "Who is it, the greaser or the coy
boy?" He laughed loudly, disagree
s. ably. "It must be one or the other +,
IS you haven't seen any men except thei
'e Another man! Well, you're cool abol
"a it,"
x II am glad you know the truth"
IN Muttering to himself, Ed made
le short excursion around the room, tn,
II paused before his wife with sneer {
n. his lips. "Did it ever occur to you tn
st l might object?" he demanded.
p Alaire eyed him scornfully. "Wh
er right have you to object?"
e. Ed could not restrain a malevole
n gleam Of curiosity. "Say, who is
er Amt I entitled to know that much
Ie- AS Alaire remained silent. he let i
ng eyes rove over her with kind Of ang
IT. appreciation. "You're pretty enough
IT. stampede any man," he admitte
he ayes, and you've got money, too.
,f. het it's the Ranger Huhi We