Evening star., 1922-10-22

to learn to count to hundred. Inen,
1 went on and told how 1t had work.
ed with US, how we simply seheoled
ourselves into the habit Of counting
to a hundred before we said an un-
kind word; how, II one of us was
nervous or irritable. it became this
wonderful result that we've attained.
After all, dearest, it's all very sim
Pile, isn't it?"
Extremely So" For just an in
stant her eyes clouded-oRly to
brighten again. i've never seen
prettier roses than the ones you sent
today. John"
That's what you're always good
enough to say. By the way. this roast
is done to a turn. l never tasted bet
ter"
The meal progressed to a perfect
conclusion-as it always did. Once
more they were before the driftwood
fame She took his hand In hers.
After all. it's remarkable that two
persons could go through ten years
of married life without a quarrel,
isn't it, John?'
He nodded. Then:
Yes-in a way" Then again. "All
that is necessary is common sense
Il suppose so. But haven't there
been times when / have tried you ter
ribly. when I've made you so angry
that it just seemed that you couldn't
hold your temper?'
nSt
couldn't lose his temper with you.'
"There-you mustn't say that. Be-
sides, the main point, I suppose. Is the
fact that it's been accomplished. Ten
wears of married life without even q
quarrel"
CHE rose then, and moved slowly
y into the shadows. Again her
hands knitted unconsciously. An ex-
preston as of acute pain came into
her eyes. John did not see-he was
gazing into the flames. and watching
the colorings as they came and went.
Ten years without a quarrel! It's
something to be proud of-something
to boast about to your friends
and" ..
Yes, l suppose so.'
There was something in her tone
which caused him to look up quickly.
to glance toward her as though she
had uttered a desecration. The nick
ering of the fireplace caught her fea-
lures, to display them as singuiariy
pale, singuiarly drawn and indicative
of suffering He half rose-but she
motioned him back.
please sit there, John. I've some
thing to tell YOU
Why, dearest? You seem So
Don't. please. She gripped the
back of a chair, as though for sup
port. II want to say it as quickly
as possible. I'm going away, john"
The voice was faint.
He was silent for a moment At
last:
well, if you feel that you should
of course, it would be better from
financial point if you waited awhile.
but if you really want to"
Il don't mean that way. John. I'm
not coming back"
Not" He stared at her in non
plussed fashion for a long time be-
fore he rose. Why, Medaine-! /
DON'T
Il didn't think you'd understand"
Not coming back? Why"
Not coming back, John" she re-
peated, and this time the voice bore
a certain note of harshness. Were
through
"Medaine"
"Please!" She motioned him back.
Il know what I'm doing. I'm per-
fectly clear and sane. I've simply
put up with you as long as 1 can
stand it. and now I'm going away.
You've become unbearable to me, and
when thing like that happens. the
best thing to do is to get away. So
I'm going"
She said it with more coolness than
ever, and with an incisiyeness that
cut deep. There was the slightest
twitching Of Johns hngers-then he
turned away, and for q long moment
was silent. At last, as though eased
in mind. he moved again to his chair.
you're tired, sweetheart. Tired
out-nervous. Don't worry. Every
thing'u be all right. If you'll Just
tell me what's wrong, we'll find a
way to remedy it. Nothing in the
world that can't be remedied, You
know
Except this. I'm tired of you. John.
Sick of you"
Sick? Tired? He again faced her.
sick Of" Then for long time he
was silent again. There, sweet
heart. don't mind me. OF course
you're tired. Ill, too. Well talk 1t
over in the morning.
There isn't going to be any morn
ing. John. At least, not with you."
She laughed. "Ten years fs enough.
l want some one else now"
"You?" He was on his feet in an
instant, his fingers stretching wide.
his brow working convulsively, you
-Medaine?"
Exactly what said
"A man."
You don't suppose it would be any
one else?
"And have your permission to go?"
It seemed that there was little sar-
casm in her tone. "Of course, you
know, I'd do nothing without your
permission. I want to be frank with
you, you know. You've supported me
for ten years. You've given me every