The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1917-04-12

~No 49, i
II wondered what you'd say"
"Eh? Can't I fire a man without a
explanation? Just because
I've let you run things to suit your
self"
"'Wait! We had our understanding"
Alaire's voice was low and vibrant.
ut was my payment for living with
you, and you know it. You gave me
the reins to Las Palmas so that I'd
have something to do, something to
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 a ball
and flung it from him; with a scowl
he showed himself back from the table. |
ut was an idiotic arrangement, just
the same. I agreed because I was sick. |
Dad thought I was all shot to pieces.
But I'm oil right now and able to run
my own business"
Nevertheless, 1t was a bargain, and
it will stand. If your father were alive
he'd make you live up to it."
"You talk as if I were a child"
shouted her husband; and his plump
face was apoplectic with rage. "The
title is in my name. How could he
make me do anything?"
Nobody could force you," his wife
said, quietly. "You are still enough of
a man to keep your word, I believe, so
long as I observe my part of our bar
gainT
Ed, Slightly Modified, agreed. "Of
course I am; I eve WEIGHED. But
I won't be treated as an incompetent,
and I'm tired of these eternal wrangles
and jangles."
"You have welched."
"EhY" Austin frowned belligerently.
"You agreed to go away when you
felt your appetite coming on, and you
promised to live clean, at least around
home"
"Well?"
Alaire went on in a lifeless tone that
covered the seething emotions within
her. II never inquire into your actions
at San Antonio or other large cities.
although Of course 1 have ears and l
can't help hearing about them; but
these border towns are home to us,
and people know nc. I won't be humil-
lated more than I am; public pity is
hard enough to bear. I've about
reached the breaking point"
"Indeed?" Austin leaned forward,
his eyes inflamed. His tone was raised,
needless of possible eavesdroppers.
"Then why don't you end it? Why
don't you divorce me? I never see
anything Of you. You have your part
Of the house and I have mine; all we
share in common is meal hours, and
and a mail address,"
Alaire turned upon him eyes dark
with misery. "You know why I don't
divorce you. No, Ed, we're going to
live out u agreement, and these
Brownsville episodes are going to
cease" Her lips whitened. $50 are
your visits to the pumping station"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Ycu transferred Panflo because he
was growing Jealous Of you and Rosa"
Ed burst into sudden laughter.
"There's no harm in a little filtration.
Rosa's a pretty girl"
His wife uttered a breathless.
smothered exclamation; her hands. as
they lay on the table cloth, were tight
ly clenched. "She's your tenant-al-
most your servant. What kind Of a
man are you? Haven't you any de-
cency lcft?"
"Say! Go easy! I guess I'm no diff
ferent to most men," Austin's unpleas-
ant laughter had been succeeded by a
still more unpleasant scowl. II have
to do something. It's dead enough
around here"
you must stop going there"
"Humph! l notice you 60 where
you please. Rosa and I never spent u
night together in the chaparral-"
ed" Alaire's exclamation was like
the snap Of a whip. She rose and
faced her husband, quiverlng as if the
lash had stung her flesh.
"That went home, Ell? Well, I'm no
fool! I've e e something of the world.
and I've found that women are about
like men. I'd like to have a 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 outfung hand. and continued,
mockingly: "Ill bet he's oil that's
manly and splendid, everything, that
I'm not"
"You'd-better STOP" gasped the
woman. II can't stand everything"
$50? Well, neither can l."
"After-tkis, I think you'd better
go-to San Antonio. Maybe I'll forget
before you come back"
To this "Young Ed" agreed quickly
enough. "Gocd!" said he. "That suits
ne. Ill at least get a little peace at
my club" Ee glOWercd after his wife