The Lamar register., 1922-03-01

Then Oscar smiled at Evelyn. tri-
umphant, insulting smile.
$50 you thought II best to mind me,
my lady," he laughed. 81 guess after
while you'll come to know / mean
what l say"
Eve tried to spenk but could not.
Polly squeezed her arm encOuragingly.
You're mean duffer, Oscar" she
thrust in. "Your woman's scared of
you, that's all. Try bein' better. an
see how she likes IT."
shes got a good right to be id
scared" grunted Bennett. "Now out
with 1t. Eve. What's the rumpus? You
haven't sent me a cent for a month"
With shaking fingers Evelyn pushed
back her wind-blown hair.
II couldn't get any money, Oscar"
she walled. "My allowance is all gone.
/ gave every cent of 1t to you. You
know very well mother won't give me
any more"
She had one card left to play, and
she hoped 1t would take the trick.
81 might as well tell you," she con-
tinued. the steel in her eyes wiping
away the blue Mother hasn't any
money. All l thought we had belongs
TO Cousin Bob"
She ceased speaking and waited an
instant to note how her news struck
her husband. He flung up clenched
fist.
THE devil take you, Eve!" he cried.
Don't try to put anything over on me
like that. You're the biggest liar in
Tompklns county"
That he partly believed her showed
in his manner.
I'D never "a married you II I'd
known that two years ago" Oscar as
serted hoarsely. "You can be dead
certain of that. my lady. You were
pretty careful to keep your money
troubles to yourself. sit down, both Of
you, You're shivering like two cats"
Impulsively Evelyn went toward him.
"Oh. Oscar, listen, listen to me" she
said. trying to steady her voice. 81
want to be free. can't, l can't live
this way any longer"
A coarse oath fell from Benefits
lips.
"You don't need to-" he shouted.
you got home to come tony
home. You can do the work my old
mothers doing. It's your job, not hers.
You're my wife. by ginger, and as
said to Pollyop here, you live with me,
or you pay up. I don't give tinker's
d-n which you do"
His voice grew deep as he finished,
a,-t ear lpNtla Arau
his lips. Evelyn shuddered and swayed.
and Polly slipped one arm around her
waist.
You want to be free from me, chr
That's 1t. is 1T" he sneered. Some
other guy looming up to love. / s'pose.
Well. don't mind who gets my leav-
Ings II you make 1t worth my while.
But II not"
Evelyn's pale. beseeching face lifted
to his. She could not quit him with
out his promise that she should have
her freedom. Neither must he think
that she could get him large sum
OF money.
"I can't get another dollar" she re-
peated hoarsely. 81 simply can't. And
and ! must be free"
A frown drew the mans heavy
brows together until hey touched, and
he lifted his fist to strike; but Polly
Hopkins, by one swift movement
thrust Evelyn from under the mans
uprnised arm and crowded in between
them. Because Evelyn was his wife.
he had the right to beat her If he
pleased, Polly thought. but he would
not dare to strike Polly.
IF you've got to swat some one. os-
car" she gritted between her teeth,
swat me T.
The beautiful white face came close
to Benefits, and the challenge In the
squatter girls flashing eyes stirred
feeling within him that he never had
had for Evelyn Robertson. Oscar had
always believed that woman must
fear man to respect him, and that TO
respect him meant to love him. He
did not want Evelyn Robertson in the