The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-07-21

they 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 I? You're as glad TO see me as
if had smallpox. Maybe we've made
Il 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 I taken?"
she asked him in voice that quivered.
Ed made an impatient gesture. ooh,
don't be so literal! 1 mean that. since
we're man and wife, it's up to you to
be a little mOre-broad-gaug in your
views
In other words, you want me to ig
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-
cred an admirable show of magnanim-
ity. Il 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"
81 don't wish to kiss you
] OOn De he luSlSI6O-
now, want a 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?'
eve can't go on living together. Why
should we?"
so? Divorce? Is that ft?'
! Alaire nodded.
''Well. I'll be d-dI' Ed was dunn
founded. isn't this rather sudden?"
he managed to inquire.
''Oh, no. You've suggested it more
than once"
81 thought you didn't believe in di-
vorces-couldn't stomach 'em? What's
happened?"
81 have changed my mind.''
"Humph! People don't change their
minds in minute" he cried angrfIy.
rs there some other man?''
Now Ed Austin had no faintest idea
that his wife would answer in the affir-
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
speechIess.
Yes, 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 REDEEMED
| eyes protruded. ''Well-" he STAN
-mered. well - Then after moment:
who is it, the greaser or the cow
bOy?" He laughed loudly, disagree
ably. at must be one or the other, for
you haven't seen any men except them.
Another man! Well, you're cool about
it,
| ST am glad you know the truth"
| Muttering to himself, Ed made &
short excursion around the room, then
paused before his wife with a sheer on
his lips. did it ever occur to you that
might Object?" he demanded.
Alaire eyed him scornfully. 'FWhat
right have you to object?"
| Ed could not restrain q malevoIent
CLEAN of curiosity. "Say, who Is IT?
Amt I entitled to know that much ?"
As Alaire remained silent, he let his
eyes rove over her with a kind of angry
appreciation. you're pretty enough to
stampede any man." he admitted
Eyes, and you've got money, too. I'll
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 dent see anything of you.
Well. was fool to trust you"
Alaire's eyes were very dark and
very bright as ste said: ct wonder how
I have managed to live with you as
long as have 1 knew you were weak,
nasty-so 1 was prepared Tor some
thing hike this. But never thought
you were downright criminal until"
Criminal? Rotl''
"How about that Guzman affair?
You can't go much lower, Ed, and you
can't keep me here with you
Il can't keep you, eh?" he growled.
''Well, perhaps not. suppose you've
got enough on me to secure a divorce
but I can air some of your dirty linen.
Oh, don't look like that! I mean it 4!
Didn't you spend night with David
Law?" He leered at her unpleasantly,
then followed a step as she drew back.
Don't you touch met" she cried.
A flush was deepening Eds purple
cheeks; his voice was peculiarly bru-
tai and throaty as he said: 1.-The de
cree isn't entered yet, and so long as
you are Mrs. Austin 1 have rights. Yes,
and I intend to exercise them. You've
made me Jealous, and" He made to
encircfe her with his arms, and was
half successful. but when Alaire felt
the heat of his breath in her face, q
sick loathing sprang up within her,
and, setting her back against the wall,
she sent him reeiing. Whether she
struck him or merely pushed him away,
she never knew, for during the instant
of their struggle she was blind with in
dignatioa and fury. Profting by her
advantage, she lodged past him. fed to
her room. and locked herself in
She heard him mutteriDg profaneIy (:
hoard him T,or