Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-21

thing. I've got to get away from here
and from you-from everybody"
Fyfe motioned her to a nearby log
"Sit down." said he. I'VE may az
well have it out here"
For few seconds he busted himself
with cigar, removing the band with
utmost deibcratlon, biting the end or.
applying the match, his brows puck.
cred slightly.
ITS very unwise Of you to meet
Monohan like that" he uttered finally.
"Oh. Sec" she flashed. "Do you
suggest that met him purposely-by
appointments Even II did
That's for you to say, Stella he in
terrupted gravely. Il told you last
night that trusted you absolutely. |
do so far as really vital things are con-
cerned, but don't always trust your
judgment. | merely know that Mono.
han sneaked along shore, hid his boat
and stole through the timber to where
you were sitting. happened to see
him, and | followed him to see what
hc was up to, why he should take such
treasures to keep under cover
'The explanation is simple" she an
swered stifily. You can believe 1t or
not, as you choose. My being there
was purely un.ntcntional. If | had
seen him before he was close I should
certainly not have been there. l have
been at odds with myself all day, and
went for walk to find quiet place
where could sit and think"
1T doesn't matter now" he said.
only you'd better try to avoid things
like that IN the future. Would you
mind telling me just exactly what you
meant minute ago-just what you
propose to do?"
II think It's better that l should 60
away" Stella said. II want you to
agree that l should; then there will be
no talk or anything disagreeabe from
on. It'll be a 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 I can capitalize that.
But I've got to 60. Anything's better
than this, anything that's clean and
decent. I'd despise myself If l stayed
on as your wife feeling as / do. It
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 be true. although don't admit it
myself. Offhand I'd say you were sim
ply trying to welsh on a fair bargain.
I'm not going to let you do it blndly,
all wrought up to pitch where you
can scarcely think coherently. II you
are fully determined to break away
from me you owe 1t to us both to he
sure OF what you're doing before you
act. I'm going to talk plain. You can
believe It and disdain It If you please.
II you were leaving me for a man, a
real man, think l could bring myself
to make it easy for you and wish you
luck. But you're not. Hes
Cant we leave him out of it?" she
demanded. Il 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 l could
rip of that swathing Of idealization
you've wrapped around him." Fyfe Oh.
served patiently. Its not n Job I 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 constralnt, l suppose. but until
until things shape up differently-you'll
understand what I'm talking about by
and by, thlnk--you've got to abide by
the bargain you made with me- could
not force you to stay, know. But
there's one hold you can't brenk-not
II l know you at ALI"
what IL thntT' she asked icily.
1.-THE kids" he murmnred.
Stella buried her face IN her hands.
"1'd forgotten--1'd forgotten" she
whispered.
"You understand don't you?" be said
hesitntingly. IF you leave-I keep
our boy"