Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1917-08-11
exclaimed. testify, "What are you look

| "
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 witt
you, and you know it. You gave M
the reins to Las Palmas so that l.,
have something to do, something t.
live for and think about, except--you
actions. The ranch has doubled il
value, every penny is accounted for
and you have more money to spent
on yourself than ever before. You hav,
no reason to complain"
Austin crushed his napkin into bal
and flung it from him; with a scow
he showed himself back from the table
ut was an idiotic arrangement just
the same. | agreed because | was sick
Dad thought | was all shot to pieces
But I'm all right now and able to rur
my own business"
Nevertheless, it was bargain and
1t will stand. If your father were alive
he'd make you live up to it,"
"You talk as If | were child"
shouted her husband; and his plump
face was apoplectic with rage. 1.-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, l believe, so
long as l observe my part of our bar
gain?"
Ed, slightly Modified, agreed. "Of
course | am; l never WEIGHED. But
| won't be treated as an incompetent,
and I'm tired of these eternal wrangles
and jangles."
you have WEIGHED"
"Eh?" 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. Il never inquire into your actions
at San Antonio or other large cities,
although of course l have ears and
can't help hearing about them; but
these border towns are home to us,
and people know me. won't be humil-
lated more than | am; public pity is
hard enough to bear. I've about
reached the breaking point"
"1ndeed? Austin leaned forward,
his eyes infamed. His tone was raised,
needless of possible eavesdroppers.
Then why don't you end it? Why
don't you divorce me? l never see
anything of you. You have your part
IF the house and I have mine; all we
share in common is meal hours, and
md mail address"
Alaire turned upon him eyes dark |
With misery. "You know why I don't |
iiyorce you. No, Ed, we're going to
i've out our agreement, and these
Brownsville episodes are going to
ease" Her lips whitened. $50 are
our visits to the pumping station"
what do you mean by that"
"You transferred Panf1lo because he
vas growing jealous of you and Rosa"
Ed burst into sudden laughter
There's no harm in little Irritation.
sosa's pretty girl"
His wife uttered breathless,
mothered exclamation; her hands, as
hey lay on the table CLOTH were tight
7 clenched. "She's your tenant-al-
lost your servant. What kind of a
ian are you? Haven't you any de-
ency left?"
"Say! Go easy! guess I'm no diff
arent to most men," Austin's unpleas-
Mt laughter had been succeeded by a
ill more unpleasant scowl. 81 have
, do something. It's dead enough
round here"
"You must stop going there"
"Humph! I notice you go where
ou please. Rosa and I never spent
Ight together in the chaparral-" '
ED |" Alaire's exclamation was like s
lie snap of a whip. She rose and /
ICED her husband, quivering as If the
sh had stung her flesh. {
"That went home, Ell? Well, I'm no {
'ol I've seen something of the world, {
Id I've found that women are about 7
re men. I'd like to have look at this I
avid Law, this gunman, this Hand V
me Harry who waits at water holes T
r ladies in distress" Ed ignored his e
ife's outflung hand, and continued, s
ockingly: 'I'll bet he's ali that's
anly and splendid, everything that. 2
n not" d
"You'd-better stop" gasped the a
oman. II can't stand everything" b
$50? Well, neither can l." o
"After-this l think you'd better Il
to San Antonio. Maybe I'll forget a
fore you come back"
To this young Ed" agreed quickly p
ough. "Good!" said he. "That suits o
?. I'll at least get a little peace at
7 club" He glowered after his wife II
she left the room. Then, still scowl- II
:, he lurched out to the gallery II
lere the breeze was blowing, and II