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

Il
possible for me to have the money to
90 what l wanted to do when the time
came and so 1 really should ask your
permission. Especially when another
man is involved"
DO you mean" coldness had come
into his voice, shat you're going to
take the money that you've saved as
my wife to go to some other manY'
I've said nothing like that, John.
Merely frankness and fairness to let
you know"
"WhO is hep
"a friend of yours. We needn't
mention Names"
No" There were no long pauses
between John Carrington's words now.
The whiteness of his cheeks, the lack
OF color in his lips. turning them
ghastly blue in the light of the drift.
wood, the glazed yet flaming appear.
ance OF his eyes all gave evidence that
temper had gone beyond control.
NO? We needn't mention names.
That's what you say. Mrs. John Car
rington. but I've different ideal"
"Your privilege! But the informa.
ton won't come from me-"
don't expect 1t. I can find out
for myself. without the necessity of
running down any lies which YOU
might tell me. I'll find out"
II expect you to-"
Il Will" John Darlington, the Der.
feet husband, swung past his chair to
face ~her, his hands gripped, the
muscles of his jaws bullying as his
teeth gritted. Don't worry for an in
slant about that end of it! I'll find
out"
"And then?' A peculiar CLINT had
come into her eyes. "When you've
found out? Murder, 1 supposeY"
Murder" he laughed at her. MUIR.
der, over you? Over a woman who has
no more sense Of honor than to do
the thing you've done? Murder?
Hardly! Merely the satisfaction of
knowing the kind Of a person that
would take up with a constituencies
woman. Nothing more" >.syss
Every good excuses, John"
"For what?"
"The lack of backbone enough to
even face a man who could steal your
own wife from you. You wouldn't
even have the strength to face him.
mo" His hands worked as with q
sudden spasm. "When I face some.
body it will be for stealing some.
thfng-do you understand what ]
mean? When face a man 1t will be
because he's taken something from
me that's worth while. and not ridded
me of a blank featured incubus, a
thing that's hung onto me like
leech, given into me at every twist
and turn merely that she could rob
me. someone so sweet and gushing
that she's sickening, that herself
hasn't any more strength than to take
the word Of the first man who fiat
ters her and who is willing to run
away with him simply because he tells
her any mass of lies that happens to
come inte his head! That's when I'll
face thief. when he's stolen some
thing-do you understand that?
And as for YOU" he nodded to-
ward the dOorway-"you can go when
and Where you choose, and the sooner
the better 1 thought you were
woman when l married you. I've
found out in the ten years that we've
been living together that you're mere
~ SpineleSS, resistlesS, shapeless
mass of human putty. didn't expect
thing like this-but I should have
known that it would come. It was the
only end possible, the only thing pos
sible-from a person like you. Resist
ance? You haven't any? Strength of
character? 1t doesn't exist. Spine
less? It's the only word I can think
Of for you-the only"
Then he halted, gasping. warm,
inpuIsive little form was close to him,
her arms tight about his neck, her lips
seeking his, and kissing him again and
again.
"Oh, John. you're wonderful" came
all in breath, "just simply wonder
full! L"
He strove to push her away, and
failing, merely gasped the more. For
she was talking again, her words
streaming excitedly. delightedly.
That's just what I've thought about
you, John-what you've said about me
that you were spineless, resistless.
But you're not. are you, John?
You're"
PLEASE" He strove to break from
her, but she held him tight, and a sud-
den pleading happiness in her tone.
Il don't have to go away now, John.
My 'other man has come to me. Don't
you understand, dearest-don't YOU
understand"
"HuhE' 1t was the only word he
could utter, as he stood there Staring
az her, his arms fiat at his sides, his
lips open, his expression one of COM
bined anger, dismay and wonderment.
The soft arms frightened still more
about his neck.
Kiss me, John-please"
Hardly"
"But don't you understand? was
| just trying to make you say the things
| you did say-it was the only way /
could think to do it. Don't you see?
didn't know any other way in the
world to make you quarrel with me. to
forget that eternal counting to hun.
dred before you'd ever answer, toto
John, please-won't you kiss me?
don't love anyone in the world but
you. swear it-nobody in the world,
John. Don't you see? IL" Then
the tears came-"I just couldn't stand
1t any-any more"
stand it--stand whatW
| "WhY=Mhv evarvthinp John You