Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-09-16
The Test Of
Patience
b. VICTOR REDdIFfE

memory for the cause. Aida assves
felt that she had unconsciousIy con-
tributed to that disaster. Now that
the experience OF three years lay out
spread before her. and she took first
calm and coherent survey OF its details.
she doubted II the influence OF others
had been at all salutary and her own
action wise or even just.
At fresh, blooming eighteen, Aida
Reeves had married Morton Blake be-
cause she loved him. He was poor and
his prospects lay solely along the line
Of acquiring a professorship In 4 col.
lege where, 80 far. he had not got be-
yond the salary Of tutor. They could
not start In housekeeping aud he de-
cided temporarily to board.
"You made mistake In marrying a
poor man." Alice Leigh said. "There
was Rodney Thorne. the young lawyer.
with small fortune and deeply in love
with You. don't say that Morton Is
not a good man and devoted to you,
and does the best he can. but you silly
two will starve 20 death waiting for
the princely professorship Morton will
never get"
This prediction turned out true. The
shrewd manipulation OF more polite
and planning candidates entirely
swept Blake's chances aside. Aida
became irritated and gloomy ut the
outlook ahead. She chafed secretly.
He began to think Of striking out into
new fields and one day announced that
he had been recommended for chair
In a new university In Oregon. Blake
greeted the prospective change with
delight. He was to 90 alone TO his new
post and arrange for her later reeep
ton. A month later there came de
pressing news. The new college had
burned down two days after the ar
rival OF Blake. Its rebuilding was
matter OF doubt. The gentle spirit of
Blake weakened under the strain OF
disappointment aud uncertainty. Aida,
urged ON by her sister. wrote some re-
prOachful letters. Blake felt that he
was not welcome back at his old home
town. He met with an accident. Grip
pllng one limb, his general health
broke down and, hearing Of little re
mote settlement where schoolteacher
was needed, he went thither. planning
to get along ON the meager salsry un-
Ill he recovered his health.
Mrs. Leigh was convinced that her
despised brotherln-law would never
amount TO anything. She advised Aida
not to waste her life ON I'm unworthy
object. She called In the young law
yer, Thorne. Between them they pol
soned Aida's mind. They almost iniu-
enced her to believe that Blake had
purposely deserted her, anxious 10
shirk responsibilities he could not
meet. Step by step Aida was led on TO
action she later regretted. 1t came
finally to a divorce. Sharpwitted
Rodney Thorne applied for alimony
and, with a breaking heart In far-away
Idaho, Morton Blake. silently accepted
the verdict OF the court and lived out
his broken life alone.
Regularly the fifty dollars q mouth
reached Aida. II was after she found
herself legally separated from the hus-
band she had loved that abe began to
realize the enormity. the sheer wicked
ness Of her actions. She upbraided
her sister. she wept at the slightest
provocation and one day flood OF
light came to her mind when Rodney
Thorne asked her to marry him. She
rebuffed him almost harshly.
~ see 1t all" cried the distracted
Aida to her sister, later. at is all
plot-you never liked Morton and You
have consplred with Thorne TO influ-
ence me to break the heart OF the tru-
est man In the world. Oh. why did
desert him In his time OF sore trou-
blei"
Alice Leigh was sullenly dlscomft-
ed. Mr.. Thorne became uneasy and
conscIence-stricken. Poor Aida broke
down utterly. She became almost
nervous wreck. The report Of the ply
siclan alarmed Alice. Change Of scene
was urged and Mrs. Leigh, going TO
California. took Aida with her ON the
trip.
The train halted for two hours 20
make connections at a junction point.
While her sister was seated In the OBJ
servation car Aida hastily indited a
note, placed IL on the seat In the sec
ton and left the train. The note In
formed Mrs. Leigh that she would re
Join or telegraph her later at the ter
minus
Time tables she consulted had In
formed Aida that 0elweln was only
twenty miles away. from which town
had come the remittances from Blake.
II must see him; my heart Is hun
gering for himl" was the burden Of
Aida's soul. That afternoon she stole
glance through an open window.
where Morton Blake was patiently, Low.
lngly teaching little class OF children
and later Aida located the little cot
tage where he lived.
She learned of the wretched pay he
received. and then how, submissive
to the DEGREES Of fate, he must have
well-nlgh gone without the bare com.
forts OF life In order that she might
receive the money the law had award.
"A har