The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-08-23
Copyright BY Harper g Brothers


impulse, and. just as Alaire babe him
good night, clumsily sought to force
an explanation.
"See here !" he shot at her. whats
the matter with you latelyf" He saw
that he had startled her, and that she
made ar effort to collect her wander
ing thoughts. "You're about as warm
and wifely as a stone idol"
"Am / any different to what I have
always beenr
"Humph! You haven't been exactly
sympathetic OF late. Here I come home
sick, and you treat me like one Of the
help. Don't you think I have feelings2
Jovel I'm lonesome"
Alaire regarded him speculatively,
then shook her head as II In answer to
some thought.
In an obvious and somewhat too mel
low effort to be friendly, Ed continued :
Don't let's go on like this, Alaire. You
blame me for going away so much, but
when I'm home i feel like an inter-
loper. You treat me like q cow-thief."
"rm sorry. I've tried to be every
thing / should. I'm the interloper."
"Nonsensei If we only got along
together as well as we seem to from the
outside, It wouldn't be bad at all. But
you're too severe. You seem to think
a man should be perfect. Well, none
Of us are, and I'm no worse than the
majority. Why, I know lots of fellows
who forget themselves and do things
they shouldn't, but they don't mean
anything by 1t. They have wives and
homes to 60 to when It's all over. But
have II You're rs glad to see me as
IL I had smallpox. Maybe we've made
a mess of things, but married life isn't
what young girls think it is. A wife
must learn to give and take"
"Tve given. What have I taken?'
she asked him in a voice that Quivered.
Ed made an impatient gesture. "Oh,
don't be 80 hterali / mean that, since
we're man and wife, It's up to you to
be a little more-broad-gauge 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. II hate arguments, anyhow; I'd
much rather have a goodnight kiss"
But when he stopped over her Alaire
held him of and turned her head.
@No!" she said.
you haven't kissed me for"
81 don't wish to kiss you"
Don't be silly" he insisted. "Come,
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 oil reason, and he
began a harsh remonstrance. But he
halted when she cried:
walt! I must tell you something,
Ed. It's all over, and has been for q
long time. We're going to end It."
END itT"
1--WE can't go on living together. Why
should WEI"
"So2 Divorce? Is that itf'
Alaire nodded.
founded. isn't this rather sudden? ~
he managed to inquire.
ION, no. You've suggested II more
than once"
* thought you didn't believe In d.
vorces-couldn't stomach 'em? What's
~happenedf"
II have changed my mind"
"Humphi People don't change their
minds In a minute" he cried angrily.
Us there some other manP'
Now Ed Austin had nc 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 1t held a double In
terest. Therefore her reply struck him
speechless.
"Yes. Ed" she said quietly. aThere
Ia another man."
II was like her not to evade. She
had never lied to him.
Eds mouth opened; his redeemed
eyes ~protruded. well. he stam-
mered. "welli" Then after a moment:
"Who Is It. the greaser or the cow
boyT" He laughed loudly, disagree
ably. 1T must be one OF the other. for
you haven't seen any men except them.
Another mani Well. you're cool about
L."
II am glad you know the truth"
Muttering to himself, Ed made a
short excursion around the room. then
paused before his wife with a sneer on
his lips. did 1t ever occur to Won that
! might object7" he demanded.
Alaire eyed him scornfully. swhat
right have you TO ob1ectT"
Ed could not restrain a malevolept
CLEAN Of curiosity. ~Say, who Is itf
Amt ! entitled to know. that muchTs
AZ AIaire remained silent, he let his
eyes rove owe her with a kind OF angry
appreciation. you're pretty enough to
stampede any man." he admitted.
Yes, and you've got money. too. I'll
Get it's the Ranger. Hunt We're
tnrred with the same stick"
You don't really believe that. she
told him. sharply.
why not7 You've had enough CD
pcrtunity. Idon't SEQ anything az you.
4 Wall I was a fnnl "A fruo< 49,