Williston graphic., 1917-06-07

SiSu HIS lleuItu W Ucklu uT WNluS O6"Au
he yielded one evening to an alcoholic
impulse, and, just as Alaire bade him
good night. clumsily sought to force
an explanation.
"See here!" he shot at her. "What't
the matter with you lately?" He saw
that he had startled her, and that she
made an effort to collect her wander
Ing thoughts. you're about as warn
and wifely as stone idol"
"Am l any different to what have
always been?''
"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 thirk have feelings
JOve! I'm lonesome"
Alaire regarded him speculatively
then shook her head as II in answer tC
some thought.
In an obvious and somewhat too mel
low effort to be friendly, Ed continued
"Don't let's so on like this. Aaire. You
blame me for going awaN>sO much, but
when I'm home l feel like an inter
'oPSi' AOu lIcaiI Hle ilNc w"
I'm sorry. I've tried to be every
thing should. I'm the !nterloper."
Nonsense! II we only got along
together as we'll as we seem to from the
outside, it wouldn't be bad Mt 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
theN@ 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 1? You're as glad to see me as
If had smallpox. Maybe we've made
q mess of things, but married life isn't
what young girls think it is. A wife
must learn to give and take"
'Ive given. What have takcnr
she asked him in a 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 tc
be little more-broad:gauge in youl
views"
I'm other words, you want me to Is
more your conduct. Is that it? 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
ity. II 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"
Il don't wish to kiss you''
Don't be silly" he insisted. "Come
now, l want kiss"
Alaire thrust him back strongly, anG
he saw that her face had whitened
Oddly enough, her stubbornness an
gered him out of all reason, and he
halted when she cried:
swat! must tell you something
Ed. It's all over, and has been for .
long time. We're going to end It,"
END it7'
1--WE can't 60 on living together. Why
should we7'
80? Divorce3 Is that it?'
Alaire nodded.
"Well, I'll be d-d!" Ed was dunn.
founded. isn't this rather sudden :"
he managed to inquire.
"Oh, no. You've suggested it more
than once" .... 81.
II thought you didn't believe in di.
vorces-couldn't stomach 'ena? What's
happenel?"
II have changed my nind.''
"Humph! People don't change their
minds in a minute" he cried angrlly.
rs there some other MANI"
Now Ed 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
life had been so open that he could
not imagine that it held double in
terest. Therefore her reply struck hi10
speechless.
Eyes, Ed," she said quietly. "There
is another man."
1t was like her not to evade. She
had never lied to him.
Eds mouth opened; his reddened
eyes protruded. "Well-' he stam-
mered. "Well!" Then after a moment:
"Who Is it, the greaser or the COW.
boy?" He laughed loudly. disagree.
ably. 1T must be one or the other, for
you haven't seen any men except them.
Another man! Well, you're cool about
t."
II am glad you know the truth"
Muttering to himself, Ed made a
short excursion around the room. then
paused before his wife with a sneer on
his lips. did 1t ever occur to you that
I might objectl" he demanded.
Alaire eyed him scornfully. "What
right have you to object2'
Ed could not restrain n1alevolent
gleam of curiosity. "Say, who is it?
Amt I entitled to know that much?"
AS Alaire remained silent ne let his
eyes rove over her with kind of angry !
you're pretty enough to |
stamDede any man." he admitted
Yes, and you've got money too. III