The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-05-19
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~ PihAtOSOPIg VI IGu VIII IltGl IT.
my dear, If you mean TO fight this
out alone, Philosophy is good medicine
only for lonely hearts The others ii
, merely hardens,"
Lucinda eyed Willis sharply "Bsl-
has been to sss you"
He looked me up" Willis admitted
in mild surprise, two days after your
disappearance, thinking you might have
communicated with me OF course,
could tell him nothing. But how did
you know
That suggestion, the underlying
thought that might not be intending
20 fight out my fight alone-that orig.
mated with Bel, didn't it?"
Well" Willis stammered, trying TO
smile disarmingly-"I confess"
1T wasn't enough Of course. that
should have found Bel out for the doz.
enth time, there had TO be lover in
my background to account for my leav.
ing him! Did he mention any name?"
Willis made negative sign. Bel.
lamy didn't imply--he merely said he
was afraid"
1t doesn't matter. What else did he
have 70 say?'
4 know how remorseful Bel can
seem"
He spoke Of employing detectives
to trace you"
1T wouldn't do Bellamy any good to
see me; It would only irritate him to find
could hold out against plea he
made IN person"
Willis sighed, and rsnounced-"if you
must, you must, l presume; and l will
do my best to serve your wishes, my
dear. Only tell me how.
Why, naturally, l want to get the
divorce over with as quickly and quiet
y as possible, with the minimum
amount of public scandal"
The laws OF the State Of Nevada
are most liberal. But it would be nee
essary for you to establish legal resi-
dence by living here six months"
Il suppose that's unavoidable"
I will look UP the most reputable
firm Of lawyers there, and recommend
you to them. II you are in need oi
other advice, you need only to write OF
telegraph, and IL the emergency re
Quirss It, l will come out TO confer will
you"
Il hope ! won't have to impose or
your kindness to that extent"
Willis blinked, removed the gold.rlm
med pince.nez of hs' fading day, ant
polished the lenses with a silk hand
kerchief.
"And nnur la ,,,,re,,ad ,.;f ,,o,, dor,
mind satisfying an inquisitive old mar
Il would very much like to know
what you propose TO do with your free
dom, when you get it."
Lucinda jumped up and turned away
with q quaver of DISSOLUTION.
"Ah, I wished you hadn't asked me
That's what I'm trying all the tim,
to forget"
II thought so,'
The emptiness to comet Wha
can woman do TO round out her lif
when she's lost her husband and is fl
for nothing but to be wife?"
she can find another husband. Man,
do"
Marry again. a violent movemen
Of Lucinda's hands abolished tn
thought. Never that! I'm through
with love for good and ALL"
No doubt" agreed the student o
law and life But are you sure tha
love Is through with your?
XIII.
Willis left for New York on a lat
afternoon train; and when Lucinda ha,
said goodby to him at the station, sh
felt as II she had parted with her on
real friend in all the world.
She applied for transportation and
drawing.room through the Reno bu
learned that the winter stampede @
California tourists was In full west
ward swing. The best the agent coul
do was TO book Lucinda through I
San Francisco with u section to hei
self on the California Limited leavin
the next night. arranging for her t
return from San Francisco to Reno.
Trip Of some eleven hours.
Returning to the hotel about five
she was approaching the elevator
when. midway in the foyer, she stoppe
stock still, transfixed by the sight G
Bellarny standing at the registry desk
in earnest consultation with one {
the clerks.
Apparently Bellamy had Just learne
what he wanted to know; Lucinda re,
ognized the backward Jerk Of the hea
that was an unfailing sign OF gratifics
tion In him. and saw him turn ava
from the desk. Galvanized, she hurle
herself toward one Of the elevate
shafts, the CUTE to which was eve
being closed.
When she entered her room the tel,
phone was calling. She locked III
door; and for as long as It continue
Co ring, which II did for upwards {
i've minutes, At length she gave II u
rs bad joke, and she sank limp
into a chair near the door, tin knoc
brought her to her feet In flutter.
Your bill. MAIN"
When she forced herself TO turn Ike
and knob, she more than half expecte
to see her husband. But the bellbo
was alone. Lucinda took the bill an
counted out the money
Take those bags please she sal,
indicating the new dressingcase All
the bag which she had brought frv,
New York, put them In Q taxi Ut III
door. snd hold 1t TIL come down."