Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1921-07-21
How Markham Lost
His Cook
By DOROTHY WHITcoMB.
%. 1921. western Newspaper Union.)

parlOr. He saw his wife seated in
her chair, reading as calmly as though
he hal gone out upon the most ordi-
nary visit to some friend. She hardly
raised her eyes when he said good-by
to her, yet there had been an emotion
al scene only that morning, and il
was this that had nerved Lindsay to
his resolution.
He could endure his wife's COM
plants no longer He was resolved 10
put an end to them for ever And he
was going like a thief by night to
steal the most precious jewel of
Markham's household.
He had fought down the impulse
toward dishonor for many weeks. But
now the time had come when he could
resist no longer. Life without Lucille
would have no zest. His home had
grown to be no home to him. His
very food had lost it's SAVIOR
Markham had brought her back to
America after his last visit to France.
When she arrived she was a simple
country girl, innocent, ignorant Of
the language of her adopted country.
She had met few men; she had never
even been engaged before. And once
in Markham's power he watched her
jealousy. He would hardly permit
her to leave home.
Strangely enough, it was Mrs. Lind
say who had first met her and it was
she who had introduced Lindsay on
one of the rare occasions when Lucille
had snatched short respite from
Markham's tyranny It was at a
friends house. Mrs. Lindsay was taken
at once with the pale, beautiful French
girl. But it was Lindsay who had
pursued the acquaintance.
Markham and he were not on
friendly terms. He knew enough of
the mans cOwardly nature to be
aware that, once Lucille and he were
together there would be no pursuit.
At last the time had arrived when he
was able to propose his plan.
She looked at him with yelled ter
rOr and yet with JOY that she could
hardly conceal.
IT will give you more than Mark
ham can ever give you," he said gaily
and then outlined his plan. Markham
was not always home before nightfall.
Let her appoint some day when he
would be detained at his Office. 1t
would then be the simplest thing for
him to cover the two miles between
| their houses and meet her after dark
when there were no prying ewes to
see. She must have her possessions
what she could pack into a suitcase
ready, and he would take her away,
never to see Markham again.
"But if he comes after me" she
asked, still half afraid
Lindsay had laughed at that, and
his contempt for Markham seemed to
find an answer in the girls soul. She
told him many little details of the
man. his tyranny, his greed. Once,
when she had not prepared dish ex-
actly to his liking he had sworn at
her. She had never forgotten that.
Yes, she would go.
And Lindsay, looking back at his
wife in her chair, felt not the least
conjunction. For he was going to
end her complaints effectively and for
ever.
Markham was not to be home that
night. So much he had discovered
and he had sent Lucille message by
a trusted cOnfidant. Now he strobe
out into the dark eagerly, his mind
tense upon his mission, every nerve
tingling with the thought of the &c
static happiness that lay in store for
him.
And she was waiting for him. As
he approached the unlit house where
the man he hated lived he saw her, q
sinuous shadow in the doorway.
Lucille - he whispered.
And so he led her way.
The suitcase was weighty, but he
walked as though he trod on air, anC
Lucille strobe at his side. AT last they
stood outside his house again, and
looking through the window, Lindsay
perceived that his wife still occupied
the same chair and held the same
book. All the emotions that had pos
sessed him had been entirely unknown
to her; she read as TRANQUILITY as though
nothing were at stake.
Then. a sense of unutterable love fol
this quiet woman in the chair wellet
up in Lindsays heart. He turned t.
the girl and spoke almost CURLY.
81 am going in to tell her" he said
'To tell your wife?"
''Yes-everything But wait for me
shall not abandon you. Have NJ
fear. 1t will be but a moment"
The waiting girl saw Lindsay disap
near within the house; she saw hin
bend over his wife, saw her start III
incredulously and look at him witt
ewes that searched his soul. Thel
she was running out Of the hous,
with Lindsay at her side.
"'You! Lucille!" she cried
eyes. madame"
"And you have came to stay? Yol
will not leave us?" She turned to he