The spectator., 1920-12-14

pleaded. "don't he rash. You don't know that Beulah's gone with Jim, and you haven't word of proof of It."
 "Proof, What more proof do I want? When did ever Beulah carry on like this before? Didn't she al ways do as she was told? And haven't they been thick as molasses this while back? Wasn't it over wasting time. with her that Jim got fired. anl not word of admission of the real facts from him? What more do you want than that? You thought 1 wouldn't be interested in that, either"
 "I didn't know it." she protested, 'and l don't believe it. I don't be- lieve either Beuah or Jim had any such thought in their head. But even if they did. Jim Travers is as decent q young man as there is in Plainville district, and you've nothing to be ashamed of except your own temper. that drove them away in the way they went"
 II won't listen to that kind of talk
 
 sternly. "Tll chase the young repro bates to earth, if It takes all summer. And unless you can clear yourself of being mixed up in this-well, there1l be something to settle on that score. too. Hitch up the drivers, Allan, and be quick about it."
 You're not going to leave your blowing, are you?" asked his wife. The words sprang to her lips without any misintent. It was such an unusual thing for her husband. on any account, | to leave the farm work unfinished The practice on the Harris homestead was work first, all other considera- l tions second.
 That's enough of your sarcasm" | he snapped. "I would think when our | name is threatened with disgrace | like this you would be as anxious to defend it as I am. How is 1t you go back on me in moment like this? | You're not the woman you once were, | Mary"
 And you're not the man you once were John.' she answered. "Oh, cant | you see that we're just reaping what 1 has been sown--the crop we've been 1 raising through all these years? Beu- lah's very life has been crying out for action. for scope. for room, for some | thing that would give her reason for existence. that would put purpose 1 into her life. and we've not tried to answer that cry. I blame myself as much as you. John, perhaps more, be- cause I should have read her heart-I should have seen the danger signals long ago. But was so busy, I didn't think That's the trouble, John, we've been so busy, both of us. we haven't taken time to keep up with her. We've gathered some property together and our cares have grown in proportion. but that which was more to us than all the property Tn the world we have | lost-hecause We valued it less" The tears were slowly coursing down her ] cheeks. and her thin. work-worn arms were stealing about his neck. Don think dear" she whispered. that I'm 1 indifferent or that this hurts me less l than you. or that I would shield my self from one iota of my just blame but let us face the fact that 1t has | been our mistake rather than Beu- | lah's."
 He removed her arms. not urgently. "I never thought II would come to this" he said q thought I humored her every way could AS for oHr | hard work-well work makes money. and noticed Beulah could spend her | share"
 You don't understand. John. II wasn't the work, it was the making a god of work and giving it so much of our lives that there was none left for her. That's why she looked some where elSe-if she has looked some where else"
 Allan works as hard and harder than ever Beulah did. and Allan doesn't feel that way about it."
 That's true" she admitted. but | Allan's ambition Is work. He works and is satisfied. but Beulah thinks | and is not satisfied. It's the difference | in their nature. and We didn't take it | into consideration. In every phrase l she tried to link his blame with hers that the burden might unite instead of separate them.
 If she'd thought little more be- | fore this mad prank it would have been better for everybody" he said. Well. she'll have plenty of time to think yet" He stepped 10 the kitchen door. and from the nail above took down the repeating rifle. You're not going to take that" she cried. Don't take that, John. IL can't possibly do any good, and 1t may | do q lot of harm"
 "I won't do anything foolish" he answered. but I'll take 1t along. tust the same"
 Allan, with the drivers harnessed to the top buggy. was now at the door. Without saying good-hy to his wife Harris joined him. and the two set off on their search Almost at the gate they met George Grant. who had