The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-09-24

been In the water. For days and week
I expected every hour to hear of tn
finding of the body. / expected to hea
, the remark dropped casually by ever
new visitor at the ranch, 'Drazk's bod
was found today in the river. TIL
Mounted Police are investigating Blu
time went on and nothing was hear
Of 1t. 1t would almost have been re
lief to me If it had been discovered.
had reported the affair at once, as
should have done, all would have bee
different, but having kept my secre
for little found it impossible to con
fess later. 1t was the first time eve
felt my self-relance severely shaken
"WelI, now you know" she said
with an embarrassed little laugh
you see, have put my life in you
hands"
"Your husband knows?
mo. That made it harder. / never
told Frank"
She arose and walked to the fire
place, pretending to stir the logs
When she had seated herself again she
continued.
at has not been easy for me to tell
all things to Frank. Don't misundec-
stand me; he has been a model hus-
band, according to my standards"
According to your standards?"
According to my standards-when
I married him."
She paused, and Grant sat in silence,
watching the glow of the freight upon
her cheek.
"Your standards have changed? p
said Grant, taking up the thread when
she had sat down again.
"They have. They have changed
more than Franks, which makes me
feel rather at fault in the matter.
How could he know that 1 would
change my ideal of what husband
should be?"
"Why shouldn't he known That Is
the course of development. Without
changing ideals Their would be stag
nation"
Perhaps" she returned, and he
thought he caught note Of WEAKNESS
in her voice. But l don't blame
I rather blame him
then. He swept me off my feet;
stampeded me. My parents helped
him, and was only half disposed to
resist. You see, l had this trouble
on my mind, and for the first time in
my life / felt the need of protection.
Besides, l took matter-of-fact view
of marriage. thought that sentiment
love, II you like-was thing Of books,
an invention of poets and fiction
writer's. Practical people would be
practical in their marriages, as in
their other undertakings.
"Frank has been all 1 expected of
him." she repeated. as though anxious
to do her husband justice. HE has
made money. He spends 1t generously.
IF I live here modestly, with but one
maid, 1t is because Of a preference
which l have developed for simplicity.
might have a dozen if asked 1t, and
1 think Frank Is somewhat surprised,
md, it may be. disappointed, that l
lon't ask 1t. Although not man for
display himself, he likes to see me
make display. It's a strange thing
sn't it, that husband should wish his
wife to be admired by other men?"
"Some are successful in that" Grant
emarked.
II have not sought any mans adj
she went on, with her aston
shing frankness. 81 am too independ-
mt for that. What do care for their
dmiration? But every woman wants
ove."
Grant had changed his position. and
at with his elbows upon his knees,
is chin resting upon his hands. You |
now, Zen" he said, using her Chris
Ian name deliberately, "the picture l |
rev that day by the river? That
) the picture l have carried in my
lind ever since-shall carry to the
nd Perhaps 1t has led me to be i'm
rudent--
elias brought me here tonight, for
you had my invitation"
"True. But why develop another
tuation which. as you say, has no
'ay out?"
do you want me to go?"
mo, Zen. MOI I want to stay
18th you-always But society must
,spect its own conventions"
She arose and stooC by his chair.
tting her hand fall beside his cheek.
you silly boy" she said "You
dnt organize society, nor subscribe
its conventions. Still, l suppose
lere must be code of some kind,
nd we shall respect it. You had your
rance, Denny, and you passed it up"
"Had my CHANGER
yes. I refused you in words,
low, but actions spead louder"
But when you told me you were
Jagged what could l honorably do?"
'More-very much more-than you
IN do now. You could have shown
e my mistake. How much better to
ave learned it then, from you. than
ter, by my own experience! You
'uld have swept me of my feet, just
! Frank did. You did nothing. II |
ri Soupht oyidanco RI nrova how i'm, |