The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1921-08-25
INCOMPATlBILITY
BY HELEN WAITE MUNRO.

4eessse~seSe<~ees~ q
10 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.D }
Love was dead deadl
Not even hint OF the memory Of
love remained In the cold gray eyes Of
the woman descending the steps from
the Office OF the big lawyer, nor In the
absent brown ones Of her husband as
he glanced hastily az lis watch with a
view to the quickest possible return to
business. Something in his tired face,
however, drew out In her a trace OF
the divine maternal that exists In
every woman, but especially In those
who have a tiny grave to remember,
ms Dorrlce Ordway had
you must have something to eat
before you go back to work, Robert" ."'
she told him quickly. There Is llt.
tie restaurant just across the tracks
there. II looks clean. We will go
over"
lndfferently he ordered the whole.
some food she suggested for him. For
herself she took only tea and toast-
Indigestion had lately added itself to
her long list Of ailments.
He spoke abruptly, between mouth.
fuls.
Il suppose Black thought Il was
queer for us to 20 together to find
out the steps necessary for our di.
vorce. Strange, I've faced every kind
OF business situation alone, but when
II comes 10 telling some one else your
family troubles" he hesitated almost
boylshly.
The maternal light again softened
her eyes, then died to cold gleam.
1T VIII soon be over" she told him.
"Mr Black can fix II up, you see.
without trouble-a simple case OF In.
compatibility. You will be free for
your everlasting busIness--buslness.
"And you for your sanltoriums aud
baths and eternal complaining" he re.
tallated as he showed his chair back
sharply and led the way out.
I'VE ought 10 have brought the car
here with Us. You know IL makes my
side ache to walk" she complained.
fretfully. as they started back across
the tricks.
His only answer was grufr
"Humph !" as he walked slightly
ahead. Then a horrlhed gasp from
her caused him 10 turn quickly. She
had stopped and was pulling fran.
tlcally at the heel OF her high shoe. |
which was caught In the track. Strug. |
Cling. twisting. wrenchlng. she worked. |
her terrified eyes watching with NV. |
fhl fascination nm object bearing
down upon them. looming large like
some ancient monster-the engine OF |
the through express.
In seconds that seemed like hours
he exerted every last atom of his
strength TO release her, his mind work.
Ing lightning quick TO lind the cause
Of her captivity. The high heel simply
htted the rallied groove In which Il
had slipped. No power on earth could
free her In the scant tins ebefore that
monster would be upon
hem. No knife, even II he had one,
could sever quickly enough the lac
ngs OF the high boot No strength
rould pull the heel from the strongly
made sole, The train was slackenlng
rs speed now. The engineer had seen
ihem-was trying frantlcally 10 stop.
'ut stlll the monster came, came.
The dlylnely maternal look again
her face.
"Jumpl" she told him. Get away 4"
md she tried 10 push him from her.
He grasped the hands that sought
o send him ito safety. Her express
Hon changed TO one OF perfect trust
nd loye-of the girllsh appeal that he
'emembered so well In the days OF
heir courtship.
"Robertl" she cried, regardless OF
he oncoming engine. Her eyes we're
he eyes OF the girl OF long ago.
He gathered her closely In his arms.
lump for safety and leave herr Neyerl
)orrice His wife The girl OF his
ovel The mother OF the child who
ad left them What was business
What was all the world What was
lie itself, beside love like thisl
The monster was close upon them
ow In spite OF the swift work OF the
Ioufhed men aboard. An instant
lore and all was over. Silence Even
he noise OF the train died away as II
anne TO a full stop.