Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-04-18

| YOU, and you know 1t. You gave me
the reins to Las Palmas so that I'd
| have something TO do, something to
| live for and think about. except-your
actions. The ranch has doubled in
value, every penny is accounted for,
and you have more money to spend
on yourself than ever before. You have
no reason TO complain"
Austin crushed his napkin into ball
and flung it from him; with a scowl
h, showed himself back from the table.
1T 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 run
my own business"
Nevertheless, it was bargain, and
it will stand. If your father were alive
he'd make you live up to it."
You talk as if | were a child"
shouted her husband; and his plump
face was apOplectic with rage. "'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 | observe my part Of our bar
gain?"
Ed, slightly Modified, agreed. "Of
course l am; | 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?"
covered the seething emotions within
her. II 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 bumil-
lated more than am; public pity is
hard enough to bear. I've about
reached the breaking point"
"Indeed?" Austin leaned forward,
his eyes inflamed. His tone was raised.
needless of possible eavesdroppers.
Then why don't you end lt2 Why
don't you divorce me? l never see
anything of you. You have your part
of the house and l have mine; all we
share in common Is meal hours, and
and mail address,"
Alaire turned upon him eyes dark
with misery. you know why | don't
divorce you. No, Ed, we're going to
live out our agreement, and these
Brownsville episodes are going to
cease" Her lips whltened. $50 are
your visits to the pumping station"
What do you mean by that?'
You transferred PanfilO because he
was growing jealous of you and Rosa
Ed burst into sudden laughter.
There's no harm in little filtration.
Rosa's Il pretty girl"
His wife uttered GREATNESS,
smothered exclamation; her hands, as
they lay On the table cloth, were tight
ly clenched. "She's your tenant-al-
most your servant What kind Of a
man are you? Haven't you any de-
cency left?"
Say Go easy! l guess I'm no diff
ferent to most men," Austin's unpleas-
ant laughter had been succeeded by a
still more unpleasant scowl. II have
to do something. It's dead enough
around here"
you must stop going there"
"Humph! notice you 60 where |
you please. Rosa and never spent a
night together In the chaparral--"
ed" Alaire's exclamation was like
the snap of whip. She rose and
faced her husband, quivering as If the
lash had stung her flesh.
THAT went home, Ell? WE'LL I'm no
fool! I've seen something of the world.
and I've found that women are about
like men. I'd like to have look at this
David Law, this gunman. this Hand
some Harry who waits at water holes
for ladies In distress" Ed ignored his
wifes outfiung hand. and continued,
"I'll bet he's I'll that's
manly and splendid, everything that
I'm not"
"You'd-better STOP" gasped the
woman. II can't stand everything"
$50? Well, neither can l."
"After-this, / think you'd better
go-to San Antonio. Maybe I'll forget
before you come back"
To this young Ed" agreed quickly
enough. "Good /" said he. THAT suits
me. I'll at least get little peace at
my club" He glowered after his wife
as she left the room. Then, still scowl-
Ing, he lurched out to the gallery
where the breeze was blowing, and
Ii lxA ohal