Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-10-19


think them
Said Dwight: They'll think what
they always think when wife leaves
her husband. \ They'll think you
couldn't get along. That's ALL"
81 should hate that" said Lulu.
"Well, | should hate the other, let
me tell YOU"
Dwight. Dwight" said Ina. "Let's
20 in the house. I'm afraid they'll
hear"
AS they rose, Mrs. Bett plucked at
her returned daughters sleeve.
"Lulie," she said. was his other
wlfe-was she there?'
mo. no, mother. She wasn't
there"
Mrs. Belts lips moved, repeating
the words. "Then that amt so bad"
she said. II was afraid maybe she
turned you out"
mo" Lulu said, sit wasn't that bad,
mother"
Mrs. Bett frightened. In little mat
ters, she Quarreled and resented, but
the large issues left her blank.
Through some indeterminate sense
Of the Importance due this crisis, the
Deacons entered their parlor. Dwight
lighted that high, central burner and
faced about, saying:
"In fact, l simply will not have it,
Lulu. You expect, take il, TO make
your home with US in the future, on
the old terms"
"WeH $50"
81 mean, did Ninian give you any
money!
mo. He didn't give me any money
only enough to get home on. And I
kept my suit-whyw she flung her
head back, II wouln't have taken any
money!
THAT MEANS" said Dwight. that
you will have to continue to live
here-on the old terms. and OF course
I'm quite willing that you should. Let
me tell you. however. that this is on
condition-on condition that this dis
graceful business is kept to our
selves"
She made no attempt TO combat
him now She looked back ut him,
qulvering, and in great surprise, but
she said nothing.
"Truly, Lulu said Ina, wouldn't
that be best? They'll talk anyway.
But this way they1l only talk about
you, and the other way it'd be about
all Of US"
Lulu said only: Put the other way
would he the truth"
Dwiaht's eyes narrowed: "My dear
Lulu he said. ARE you sure OF
thatf'
"Sure?"
yes Did he give you any proofs?"
"pr0ofsf"
"Ietters-documents Of any sort?
Any sort of assurance that he was
speaking the truth?"
"Why, no." said Lulu. "Proofs-
no. He told me"
"HIe told you?"
"Why that was hard enough to
have to do. 1t was terrible for him
to have TO do. What proofs" She
stopped puzzled.
Didn't it occur 10 you," said
Dwight. that he might have told you
that because he dint want 10 have
TO go on with it,"
As she met his look some power
seemed to 20 from Lulu. She sat
down. looked weakly at them, and with
in her closed lips her jaw was slightly
fallen. She said nothing. And see
ing on her skirt spot of dust she
began TO rub at that.
"Why, Dwight :" Ina cried. and
moved To her sisters side.
81 may as well tell YOU he said,
chat | myself have no idea that Min
ian told you the truth. He was always
imagining things-you saw that. |
know him pretty well-have been
more or less in touch with him the
whole time. In short. I haven't the
least idea he was ever married be-
fore"
Lulu continued TO rub at her skirt
81 never thought OF that" she said.
Look here" Dwight went on per-
suasively. hadn't you and he had some
little tiff when he told your
"No-no Why. not once. Why, we
weren't bit like you and Ina"
She spoke simply and from her
heart and without guile.
''Evidently not" Dwight said dryly.
Lulu went on: "IIe was very good
70 me. This dress-and my shoes
and my hat. And another dress, too"
She found the pins and took off her
hat "Iie liked the red wing she
said. 81 wanted black-oh, Dwight
He did tell me the truth ~ IT was as
If the red wing had abruptly borne
mute witness.
Dwights tone now mounted. His
manner. II mounted too.
Even IL it is true" said he, ~ de,
sire that YOU should keep silent and
protect my family from this scandal
| merely mention my doubts to you
for your own profit.
"My own profit"
She said no more but rose and
moved to the door.
"Lulu-you see With hi and all ="
Ina begged. owe just couldn't have