Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-08-14

father. Do you think your flimsy di-
vorce makes you any the less my
wife3 Godl I wonder did not kill
you-long ago."
He drew nearer to her, looking
down upon her with sullen eyes and
drawn brows, and as she gazed back,
and noted . the feeling beneath the
angry mask, instinctively she took up
woman's weapons.
She was very beautiful still. AL
most as beautiful as the girl he had
loved and married back in the lost
sweet years whose memory fed his
solitude.
She knew her beauty. Before he
was aware, he felt with a sudden
shock Of terrible longing the touch of
her soft hands on his-and looked to
see her upraised face like an offered
flower.
Jim! For my sake" she whispered.
For my sake JIM"
For moment his heart answered,
his arms half raised, when the ulti-
mate realization Of the egotism of her
whole life scared him like a binding
fash of light.
His fingers closed on hers with a
grip of steel that left cruel marks on
the soft flesh.
"You are my wife," he said, "the
mother of my son. Nothing can
change that--nothing-do you under
stand? have not deceived myself
into thinking that it was all for the
boys sake that took your guilt upon
myself, that I suffered for you that
you might go free and live softly and
know all the best of life.
II lied to myself. / did II for you.
did it for love of your arms, your
lips, your smile hoping, though l
sacrificed all else, to gain and keep
you-your gratitude-your love. l did
it for your sake, not for his, and you-
betrayed mel"
He bent closer, pulling her roughly
toward him, tightening his grip.
| His uneven breath was upon her
face.
"Do you know what I should do If
were half MANI" he said. II would
tear those accursed jewels off you,
all the silks and laces that you be.
trayed me for, and l would throw you
across my horse and take you with
me-into the desert.
III made you follow me through
the sun and sleep under the night sky
you would love me.
"If beat you, you would respect
me-more than you have done for all
my sacrifices. You are my wife. /
intend to tell all the world what you
are, and then take you with me into
my exile-for myself alone"
He stopped abruptly and released
her.
The murmur of returning voices
separated them and stilled them into
immobility. From the chair against
which she leaned heavily, the woman
pointed suddenly through the window.
THAT is why you should not" she
said. land, Jim, you would not-why.
you will not, Jim"
Into her tone had crept a sort of
subdued terror.
He looked and saw his son coming
through the desert with Eva Alling-
ton beside him. On that side of the
car farthest from the platform there
were no onlookers, and they walked
as lovers-hand in hand.
To the watching man, it was him
self that he saw-the reincarnation
of his own youth, straight and virile,
and full of hope. And the woman was
that other woman-beloved-s great.
| ly beloved!
With long, struggling breath that
was almost sob he turned away, q
sullen determination settling in the
lines of his face.
| In a moment, the elder Brookfield.
short and iron-gray, and taciturn, en-
tered the car, followed at once by the
| others.
Eva Arlington was like the very
spirit of spring-fair-haired, her eyes
like blue 'cornfowers. But her smile
had none of the honeyed beguiling
sweetness of the older woman's.
Like her direct gaze. it was frank
and clear and full of charming gaiety.
1t was but right and fair that these
people should know Of this woman's
infamy.
| .rO pC rONJTnJJICn