The Huttig news., 1917-05-05

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 yoi.''
 Don't be silly" he insisted. "Come, now, want q kiss.'
 Alaire thrust him back strongly. and he saw that her face had whitened. Oddly enough, her stubbornness an gered him out of all reason, and he began harsh remonstrance. But he halted when she cried:
 Wait I must tell you something, Ed. It's all over, and has been for a long time. We're going to end it."
 End it?"
 We can't go on living together. Why should we?"
 50? Divorce? Is that it?'
 Alaire nodded.
 Well, I'll be d-d," Ed was dum- founded. Isn't this rather sudden ?'' he managed to inquire
 "Oh, no. You've suggested it more than once"
 
 vorees-couldn't stomach 'em? What's happened"
 "I have changed my mind"
 'IIumph People don't change their minds in minute" he cried angrily ''Is there some other man?' 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 him speechless.
 "Yes, Ed" she said quietly. "There is another man."
 It was like her not to evade. Shf had never lied to him.
 Eds mouth opened; his reddene6 eyes protruded. Well" he stan mered "Well ,' Then after a moment ..Who is it, the greaser or the COW boy?" He laughed loudly, disagree ably. Ut must be one or the other, foi you haven't seen any men except them Another man, We'll, you're cool aboui | it."
 ..I am glad you know the truth Muttering to himself, Ed made q short excursion around the room. then paused before his wife with a sheer on his lips. Did it ever occur to you that I might object?" he demanded.
 Alaire eyed him scornfully. "What right have you to object?"
 Ed could not restrain malevolent gleam of curiosity. Say. who is it? Ain't I entitled to know that much?" As Alaire remained silent, he let his ayes rove over her with a kind of angry appreciation. You're pretty enough to stampede any man, he admitted Ms. and you've got money. too. Ipi bet it's the Ranger. Huh We're tarred with the same stick
 "You don't really believe that" she told him, sharply.
 "Why not? You've had enough op- portunity. 1 don't see anything of you. We'll. was fool to trust you"
 Alaire's eyes were very dark and very bright as she said: 'I wonder how l have managed to live with you as long as l have. I knew you were weak. nasty-so I was prepared for some thing like this. But I never thought you were a downright criminal until
 Criminal? Rot!''
 "How about that Guzman affair! You can't go much lower, Ed, and you can't keep me here with you"
 T can't keep you, eh?" he growled Well, perhaps not. I suppose you've got enough on me to secure divorce but l can air some of your dirty linen Oh, don't look like that! I mean 1t Didn't you spend night with Davit Law" He leered at her unpleasantly then followed step as she drew back
 "Don't you touch mel" she cried.
 A flush was deepening Eds purple cheeks; his voice was peculiarly bru tai and throaty as he said: 'The de cree isn't entered yet, and so long a you are Mrs. Austin have rights. Yes and intend to exercise them You'v made me jealous, and" He made t encircle her with his arms, and wa half successful, but when Alaire fel the heat of his breath in her face, sick loathing sprang up within her and, setting her back against the wal she sent him reeling. Whether sh struck him or merely pushed him away she never knew, for during the instan of their struggle she was blind with in dignation and fury. Profiting by he advantage, she lodged past him, fled t. her room. and locked herself in. l, She heard him muttering profanely heard him approach her chamber mor' than once, then retire uncertainty, bu she knew him too well to he afraid.
 Later that night she wrote two let : ters-one to Judge Ellsworth, the otae to Dave Law.
  Jose Sanchez rode to the Morale house feeling some concern over tn