The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-07-26


an explanation.
"Sce hcre!" he shot ut her. "What's
the matter with YOU lately?" He saw
that he had startled her, and TINT she
made an effort to collect her wander
ing thoughts. "You're about as warm
and wifcly rs stone idol"
"Am any different to what T have
always bccn?"
"1lumph! 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 1 have feelings ?
Jovc Pm lonesome"
Alare regarded him speculotivolv
then shook her head MS If in answer TO
some thought
In nm 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 so much, but
when I'm home I feel like an inter
lopcr. You treat me like cow-thicf."
"Im sorry. I've tried to be every
thing should. I'm the interlopcr,"
Nonsense! If we only got along
together rs we'll as we seem to from the
outside 1T wouldn't be bad at 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, I know lots of fellows
who forget themselves and do things
they shouldn't, but they don't mean
anything by 1t. They have wives and
homes to go to when It's all over. But
'rn r1,,,1
If had smallpox. Maybe we've made
Il mess Of things, but married life isn't
what young girls think 1t Is. 4 wYTe
must learn to give and take"
i've given. What have I takcn?"
she asked him in Il voice that qulvercd.
Ed made an impatient gesture. "Oh,
don't be so literal mean that, Since
were man and wife, it's ND to YOU to
be little more-broad-gauge In your
views"
In other words, YOU want me to ig-
more your conduct. Is that 1t? 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. Il hate arguments, anyhow; I'd
much rather have goodnight kiss"
But when he stopped over her Alaire
held him off and turned her head.
"No" she said.
you haven't kissed me for"
II don't wish to kiss YOU"
"Don't be silly" he insisted. "Come,
now, I want kiss"
Alaire thrust him back strongly, and
he saw that her face had whitened.
Oddly enough, her stubbornness an
gcrcd him out Of all reason, and he
began harsh remonstrance. But he
halted when she cried:
wait! I must tell you something,
l.d. It's all over, and has been for
long time. We're going to end it,"
END it?"
"Wc can't go on living together. Why
should wc?"
so? Divorcc7 Is that it?"
Alairc nodded
We'll, I'll be d--d" Ed was dunn
founded. isn't this rather sudden?"
he managed to inquire.
than once"
i thought you didn't believe in di-
vorccS-couIdn't stomach 'cm? What's
happcncd?"
L have changed my mind"
llumph! People don't change their
MINDS ia Il minute" he cried angrily.
is there some other man?"
NOW ia Austin had no faintest idea
That his wife would answer in the afIir-
native, for he had long ago learned to
put implicit confidence In her, and her
NE hHd been so open that he could
NOT lmagin" that 1t held double in
'er"Sl Therefore her reply struck him
SpccchlcSs.
'S Ed She said quietly "Thcre
Is another man."
II was like her not to evade. She
had never lied to him.
EdS mouth opened; his Redeemed
eyes protrndcd. "Wcll--" he siam
. ,hrreu Well" Then after moment ::
VI" is it, the grcascr or tho cow
""y lie laughed loudly, disagree
;, ably. "It must be one or the othcr for
o ,"u maven seen any men except them.
4 ,n,"'ncr man Well, you're cool about
y a'h gia" YOU know the truth"
q "u''crlns to himself, Ed made q
q "a"'' excursion around the room then
7, ,'."S'd before his wife with Il sneer on
# 70 ,pS' 'Id it ever occur to YOU that
!. '"teht ohJ"ct?" he demanded
,r n",fe eyed him scornfully. "What
: 'isllt nave YOU to objcct?"
!. ,,n" u could not restrain a malevolent
- h',,,h Oh curiosity. "Say, who IS iti
:. n entitled to know that much p
; AS Alaire remained silent. he let his
e ~. 'usc over her with kind Of angry
u | appreciation