The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1921-07-08
How Markham Lost
His Cook
BY DOROTHY WHITCOMB.
. 1921. Western Newspaper Union }

Lindsay's mentality was not devoid
or an element of humor in its compost
ton, and the incongruity OF his mis-
sion appealed to this latent sense as
he stepped quietly out of his house at
night and looked back into the well-lit
parlor. He saw his wife seated In
her chair, reading as calmly as though
he had 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 1t
was this that had nerved Lindsay to
his resolution.
He could endure his wife's COM
! plants no longer. He was resolved to
| put an end to them for ever. And he
was going like 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 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. II 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 a
friends house. Mrs. Lindsay was taken
at once with tire pale, beautiful French
girl. But 1t 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 >velled ter.
ror, and yet with u Joy that she could
hardly conceal.
81 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 eyes to
see. She must have her possessions
what she could pack into suitcase
ready, and he would take her away,
never to see Markham again.
But IL 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
when she had not prepared a dish ex-
actiy 10 his liking he had sworn al
her. She had never forgotten that
Yes, she would go.
And Lindsay, looking back at his
wife in her chair, felt not the least
compunction. 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 a message by
q trusted cOnadnnt. 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. M
he approached the unlit house where
the man he hated lived he saw her, D
sinuous shadow in the doorway.
"Lucille" he whispered.
And so he led her way.
|. The suitcase was we!ghty, but ht
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 as TRANQUILITY as though
nothing were at stake
Then a sense Of unutterable love fol
this quiet woman i'm the chair welled
up in Lindsay's heart. He turned te
the girl and spoke almost CURLY.
81 am going in to tell her." he said
"To tell your wife?'
"Yes-everything. But walt for me
I shall not abandon you. Have nj
fear. 1t will be but a moment"
The waiting girl saw Lindsay dlsap
pear within the house; she saw hin
bend over his wife, saw her start ny
incredulously and look at him with
eyes that searched his soul. Their
she was running out Of the house