The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1923-03-22

BY JUSTIN wENTwooD


1t had been a long chase and a stern
one. From the seaport of Massachu-
setts they had gone to Florida, thence
to Texas, thence to California, then
to Oregon; then they had recrossed
the continent, and he had located them
in Savannah.
| Lucas was fifty-five, his wife. AIDE
line, was thirty. Jim Progson, Lucas
farm laborer, was young man with
"a bullet head and suggestion of un-
derbred and undeveloped power. just
the man to attract some servant
wench, but-Adeline
1t was horrible. Lucas was de-
scended from the Pilgrims, he was
| still called Squire" In the township,
and Adeline, his second wife of two
years, was a well-hred woman. Prog
sonl If it had been a gentleman he
would have stayed quietly at home
and divorced her, but-Progson
He was not going to touch PrOgson.
The fellow was not worthy of atten-
ton. But because of Progson he was
going to kill Adeline who had wound
] eU MN past redemption.
Nevertheless, as lie walked up the
white, palmetto-bordered road toward
the villa where she lived, he was
aware, with his acute New England
conscience, that he had not been en-
tirely guiltless. There had been a
time, after their marriage. when AIDE
line would put her arms about his
neck and kiss him. Lucas had been
rather too busy for kisses. Besides,
restraint was in his nature, that same
restraint bred of hundred harsh
forbears, which had now broken down
into grim, elemental determination to
avenge the slight on his honor.
Adeline had been proud, but not so
proud as Lucas. That had been the
stumbling-block, that clash of wills;
Adeline would not be dominated as
Lucas had dominated his first wife,
timid, shrinking little thing who had
been given to him In youth, and had
obeyed him meekly. There had been
scenes of violence. Adeline had want
ed an allowance. Lucas had paid her
bills and told her to ask for what she
wanted. Then her uncle had left her
money, and she had become independ-
ent. She had told him that she would
break that overweening pride of his.
Broken 1t? No, because of 1t he
meant to kill her. And gripping the
pistol more tightly in his hand, he
STROBE up to the villa and raped on
the door.
He had often pictured that encoun-
ter in his mind, but when he saw Ade-
line standing before him, surprise
changing into that cold hardness he
knew so well, he gasped involuntar-
lily, and felt his heart begin to ham
mer in his breast.
Adeline's eyes fell on the pistol in
his hand, and a proud smile curved
her lips.
"Come in, John" she said, and led
the way into the living-room.
1t was well furnished, with AIDE
lines fine taste; that had been an
other bone of contention between
them, he remembered There were
books and magazines strewn about
everywhere Adeline turned and faced
him.
"Well?" she asked contemptuously
"You abandoned woman"
"Oh, spare me those New England
heroics," she begged him. II am not
in the mood for them. You've come
to shoot me, have you?"
"Where's that-ProgsonT
Adol;na 1ou0bod sXUart <r shoot \
him, too? she asked.
He felt his resolution falling him.
He was aware that she was spiritually
stronger than himself, and that was
Incredible because he had been
wronged so deeply.
"Well shoot, shootl" she jeered, !
in front of him. "You had a
ong chase, didn't you, joint It was
| who put you on the trail learned
hat you were coming TO look for me.
Well, shoot If you think I'm worth
t."
He laid the pistol down upon the
able He bent his head. "I-can't,"
ie said. II never knew 1t before, but
love you. Adeline"
"Shoot for your pride's sake, then"
"My pride's gone. It's broken. I've
,een a fool. But-Progsonr II
Her face softened. "Then 1 can tell
,ou, John" she said. "There never
vas any Progson. Progson was 60
ng West, and paid him to pretend
e was going away with me. chose
i'm as the instrument with which to
reak that pride of yours which had
lways stood between us, between you
nd what had been my love for you.
"Now go home and-forgive me-"
"Adeline" He took her hands In
is. you've broken me, and you've
ou've saved my soul. deserved 1t {
H. You've opened my eyes. but
-on't you come home, too, Adeline?
ust give me the chance to care for
ou--I don't want your love"
my dear, you've always had that.
h, John. can you forgive as well as
possible? If go back it win be
arder for me. But I'll face 1t IL you'll 6
try to forgive and-care."
His GroWi.