Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1923-08-30

OIL and I'll be with you. Only a mo-
ment-"
lie hurried up the stairs, while again
me gaze of Medaine Darlington sought
ehe names, the gaze of one whose mind
IS peopled with anguish. But in a mo-
ment more, it had vanished. John was
beside her. bowling In mock overpolite.
ness and offering his arm in an ex-
trayagant invitation to the table.
Many congratulations today" he
said as they seated themselves. "Four
or nve of the boys dropped in to ten
me their troubles, and incidentally to
say now much they envied us. Strange
what few little numbers will do
isn't it?"
Marvellous" Her self-possession
mad returned; with him before her she
was again the usual Medaine Caring.
Ton . Ibis is the tenth year, without
a quarrel"
John laughed. '','
AND our idea may spread. Bentley's
married you know-just last week.
Came into the office today. Told him
all about our system, and how it's
worked out. All that you need for
happiness, Bent 1 said, is to learn to
count to a hundred Then, went on
ana told how 1t had worked with us.
now We simply schooled ourselves into
the habit Of counting to a hundred be-
fore we said an unkind word, how, If
one OF US was nervous or irritable, IL
became the duty of the other to hold
In, and the wonderful result that we've
attained. After all, dearest, it's all
very simple, isn't it?"
Extremely So" For tust an instant
her eyes clouded-only 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 turn. 1 never tasted bet
ter"
The meal progressed to a perfect
conclusfon-as it always did. Once
more, they were before the driftwood
name. She took his hand in hers.
AFTER all. it's remarkable that two
persons could go through ten years of
married life without quarrel, isn't it.,
John?"
He nodded. Then:
"Yes-in way Then again. all that
is necessary is common sense"
suppose so. But haven't there
been times when have tried you ter
ribly. when I've made you so angry
that you couldn't hold your temper?"
mo, not once. dearest. One simply
couldn't lose his temper with you"
There-yOu mustn't say that. Be
sides, the main point. suppose, is the
fact that it's been accomplished. Ten
years of married life. without even a
quarrel! !"
She rose then. and moved SLOWLY
into the shadows. Again her hands
knitted unconsciously. An expression.
as of acute pain came into her ewes.
John did not see-he was gazing into
the flames and watching fine colorings
ms thev came ana went.
Ten years without a quarrel, It's
something to be proud of. something to
boast about to your friends and"
Yes, suppose So"
There was something in her tone
which caused him to look up quickly.
TO glance toward her as though she
had uttered Dissertation. The flick
ering of the fireplace caught her fea-
lures. to display them as singularly
pale. singularly drawn and indicative
of Suffering. He half rose-but she
motioned him back.
please sit there, John. Pve-some.
thing to tell you"
"Why, dearest? You seem So"
"Don't-please" She gripped the
back of a chair as though for support
WANT to say ii as quickly as pos
sihle 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 a.
financial point If you waited a while
but if you really want to"
Il don't mean that way, John. I'm
not coming back"
Mot" He stared at her in non.
plussed fashion for long time before
ne rose. "Why Medaine-! I DON'T"
Il didn't think you'd understand"
"Not coming back? Why"
mot coming back, John" she re-
peated, and this time the voice bore
certain note of harshness. "Were
through !"
"Medaine!" --~'~~:'- ~
"Please!" She motioned him back.
I know what I'm doing. I'm perfectly
clear and sane. I've simply put up
with you as long as can stand it. and
now I'm going away. You've become
unbearable to me, and when a thing
like that happens, the best thing to do
is to get away. So I'm going"
She said it with more GOODNESS than
ever, and with an incisiveness that cut
deep. There was the slightest witch
ing of Johns fingelS-then he turned
away, and for long moment was 81.
lent. 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'n be all right If you'll Just tell
me what's wrong, we'll find a way to
remedy 1t. Nothing IL The world that
can't be iemedied. you know"
Except this. I'm tired Of you. John.
Sick of you"
Sick? Tired?" He again faced
her. Sick Of" Then for q long
time he was silent again. ."There,
s"eetneert. don't mind me. OF course
you're tired. Ill, too. Wen talk il
l.. 4