The Glenwood post. (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) 1897-current, 1921-07-23
How Markham Lost
His Cook
BY DOROTHY WHITcoMB.
90. 1921. Western Newspaper Unio.,)


ton, and the incsngruity of his mis-
sion appealed to this latent sense al
he stepped quietly out of his house at
night and looked back into the well-liX
parlor. He saw his wife seated in
her chair, reading as calmly as though
ne had gone out upon the most ordi1
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 ID
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 ha
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 its SAVIOR.
Markham had brought her back to
America after his last visit to France
When she arrived she was simpls
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 Z
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 1t was at
friends house. Mrs. Lindsay was taken
at once with the pale, beautiful French
girl. But 1t was Lindsay who had
pursued the acquaintance.
Markham and he were not on
friendly. terms. He knew enough a
the mans cewardly nature to be
aware that, once Lucille and he were
together, there would be no pursuit.
At last the time had arrived when I'D
was able to propose his plan.
She looked at him with yelled ter.
ror, and yet with 4 Joy that she could
hardly conceal I
II 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. Il
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 II he comes after me? she
asked. still half afraid. i
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 a dish ex-
actay to his liking he had sworn at
her. She had never forgotten that
1eS, she would 20. !,
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 q message by
q trusted confldant Now he strodt
out into the dark eagerly, his mind
tense upon his mission, every nerve
tingiing with the thought Of the &C.
static happiness that lay in store for
him.
And she was waiting for him. Az
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, and
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 rs TRANQUILITY as though
nothing were at stake.
Then sense of unutterable love for
this quiet woman in the chair welled
up in Lindsay's heart. He turned I'd
the girl and spoke almost CURLY.
II am going in to tell her." he said.
ITO tell your wife?"
"Yes-everything. But walt for me,
1 shall not abandon you. Have no
fear. 1t will be but moment"
The waiting girl saw Lindsay disap-
pear within the house; she saw him
bend over his wife, saw her start up
incredulously and look at him with
eyes that searched his soul. Then
she WAS running out Of the house