Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-29
BIG TIM Der
Continued from seventh Page.)

Mind telling me just exactly what you
meant a minute ngo-just what you
propose to do?'
II think It's better that should go
away" Stella said. II want YOU to
agree that should; then there will be
no talk or anything disagrccable from
outside sources. I'm strong. I can get
on. TIN be relief to have to work.
l won't have to be the kitchen drudge
Charlie made Of me- I've got my voice.,
I'm quite sure l can capitalize that.
But I've got to go. Anything's better
than this, anything that's clean and
decent. I'd despise myself If / stayed
on as your wife feeling as I do. 1t
was mistake In the beginning, our
marriage"
Nevertheless" Fyfe said slowly, "I'm
afraid It's mistake you'll have to
abide by-for time. All that you say
may DO true, although don't admit it
myself. Offhand I'd say you were SIM
ply trying to welsh on n fair bargain.
I'm not going to let you do 1t blindly,
oil wrought up to pitch where you
can scarcely think coherently. If you
are fully determined to break away
from me you owe 1t to us both to be
sure Of what you're doing before you
act. I'm going to talk plain. You can
believe 1t and disdain it IL you please.
If you were leaving me for q man,
real man, 1 think I could bring myself
to make it easy for you and wish you
luck. But you're not. Hes
Cant we leave him out of it2' she
demanded. II want to get away from
you both. Can you understand that?
1t doesn't help you any to pick him to
pieces"
mo, but 1t might help you IL 1 could
rip OFF that awathing Of idealization
you've wrapped around him." Fyfe OBJ
served patiently. "It's not Job have
much stomach for, however, even IL you
were willing to let me try. But to
come back. You've got to stick 1t out
with me, Stella. You'll hate me for
the constraint l suppose, but until
until things shape up Acknowledgment
understand what I'm talking about by
and by, think-youvc got to abide by
the bargain You made with me. could
not force you to stay. l know. But
there's one hold you can't break--not
IL l know you at all"
what Is that?" she asked icily.
"The kids" he murmured.
Stella buried her face In her hands
"Id forgotten-1d forgotten she
whispered. i"
"You understand, don't your" he said
hcsitatingly. "1f you leuve-I keep
our boy"
ooh, you're ,dcvilish--to use club
like that" she cried. "You know l
wouldn't pnrt from my baby-the only
thing I've got that's worth having"
Hes worth something to mo, too"
Fyfc muttcrcd, "a lot more than you
think, maybe. I'm not trying to club
YOU. There's nothing In 1t for me. But
for him-well, no needs you. 1t isn't
his fault he's here or that you're I'M
happy. I've got - protect him, see TINT
he gets FL ke. e. @.:"ss&
/, thing to i &}p% A%<.H. y.
get back to q normal poise. Then II
Will be fine enough to try to work
out some arrangement that won't be
too much Of 9 hardship Oh him. It's
that or clean break In which you go
your own way and try to mother him
to the best Of my ability. You'll un-
derstand some time why I'm showing
my teeth this way"
you have everything OH your side,"
she admitted duly after long inter
val Of silence. '.I'm fool. I admit 1t.
Have things, your way, but 1t won't
work, Jack. This fiarcup between us
will only smolder. I think you lay
little too much stress on Monohan.
1t isn't that love him so much rs that
don't, love you ut all. can live with
out him-which mean to do IN any
case-far easier than can live with
you. 1t won't work."
Don't worry" he replied. "You
won't be annoyed by me in person. I'll
have my lmnds full elsewhere"