Arizona republican., 1922-01-20

| loved Muriel, loved her as he never
| had loved Marcia, but Marcia was his
wife-his wife, as she had so many
| times told him, because he had asked
her, not she him.
Another thing worried him. What
he had to spend for Kenneth, what he
intended to spend to educate him.
Perhaps 1T was robbing Marcia in a
way of what really belonged to her.
1t wouldn't be much, not for years,
but she considered that II belonged
to her because he, her husband, owed
it to her to give her all he could.
All these things had troubled him.
He wished he might settle them 10
his liking before he again saw Marcia.
But he was weary, so worn with work
and thought that he longed for home
and rest. His den. the big worn
leather chair. His cabinet, which still
contained many treasures, although
Marcia had robbed 1t of its choicest
piece.
Mrs. Aldrich has not yet come In"
the maid told him, and almost thank
fully he let himself into the den with
out stopping to change. Marcia would
hate to find him in his business
clothes, but for once he couldn't help
1t. He would try to keep the faith.
with her, as Elaine Westmore would
tell him to do. but he must have
some license, some little liberty in
return.
He sank in the depths of the old
chaid and his eyes. He had not
bothered to switch on the light. After
a bit he drifted off into a half wax
ing dream from which he was awak-
ened by the noise of hastily opened
and closed doors, the sound OF feet,
many voices. But 1t seemed all a
part of the dream, and 1t was not until
the maids voice called him sharply
and she had flooded the room with
light that he realized that It was not
all a dream, that something had
happened
"Oh, Mr.. Aldrich-" tears and sobs
interrupted-"Mrs Aldrich--"
what has happened?" he asked
again, then without waiting for an
answer he hastened out of the room
into the living room where Marcia,
lay white and still on the couch. 1t
was a brushed and broken Marcia,
with a doctor bending over her. The
chauffeur, his face battered and
bleeding, was standing near.
What is it, Marcia-is She"
mo, she still lives" the doctor an
ticipated his question, "but she is
badly injured, perhaps internally.
We can't tell until after an exami-
nation" He then gave John the ad-
dress Of a nurse, also another ply
sician in case they should need him,
a famous specialist.
AS one still in a dream John at
tended to everything. Then after
Marcia was in bed, the examination
over and he beside her the reality
broke upon him-Marcia. who in the
morning had been well and happy,
was tonight on the borderland Of an
other world, she loved life so. That
seemed the pitful part of it, her love
of life. So many he would not so
much mind going. but Marcia!
She opened her eyes and lifted her
hand. He took 1t in his own.
Don't blame the chauffeur. John.
1 told him to pass the other car. It
was all my fault, but / always
did love to drive fast, YOU know"
She kept me very still for a time,
John holding her hand. Then sudden
ly she spoke:
'Tf anything happens TO me,
John" She breathed with difficulty
and the doctor gave her something.
Then she went on: Don't grieve too
much, will you? We have been very
happy--always. You have been good
to me, and i have tried-to-be-a
good-wife--to you John" Her voice
was getting faint. Then after p few
minutes she spoke again: Don't be
angry with your-wifey-John that