The Dolores star., 1924-09-05

expected every hour TO hear or the
finding OF the body. l expected 10 hear
the remark dropped casually by every
new visitor at the ranch. 'Drazk's body
was found today In the river. The
Mounted Police are investigating But
time went on and nothing was heard
of II. II would almost have been re
lief to me II II had been discovered 1f
| had reported the affair at once, as
should have done, all would have been
different. but having kept my secret
for little found II impossible to con-
fess later. 1t was the first time | ever
felt my self-rellance severely shaken.
well, now you know" she said,
with an embarrassed little laugh.
You see, have put my life in your
hands"
Your husband knowsT
mo. That made 1t 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.
1T has not been easy for me to tell
all things to Frank. Don't misunder
stand me; he has been model hus-
band. according to my standards"
According to your standards?"
According to my standards-when
| married him"
She paused. and Grant sat in silence,
watching the glow of the freight upon
her cheek.
your standards have changed?"
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 would
change my ideal of what n husband
should be?"
"Why shouldn't he know? That is
the course of development. Without
changing ideals ther' would be stag
nation"
Perhaps" she returned, and he
thought he caught note of WEAKNESS
in her voice. But don't blame
Frank-now. I rather blame him
then. He swept me off my feet;
stampeded me. My parents helped
him, and l was only half disposed to
resist. You see. had this trouble
on my mind, and for the first time in
my life l felt the. need OF protection.
Besides, 1 took a ter-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 I expected of
him." she repeated, as though anxious
to do her husband Justice. He has
made money. He spends It generously.
If | live here modestly, with but one
maid, 1t is because Of preference
which l have developed for simplicity.
| might have dozen If I asked 1t, and
I think Frank is somewhat surprised.
and. 1t may be. disappointed, that
don't ask II. Although not man for
display himself, he likes to see me
make display. It's strange thing,
isn't It, that husband should wish his
Some are successful In that" Grant
remarked.
Il have not sought any mans ad-
miration," she went on, with her aston
ishlng frankness. 81 am too independ-
ent for that What do care for their
admiration? But every woman wants
love"
Grant had changed his position. and
sat with his elbows upon his knees,
his chin resting upon his hands. you
know, Zen." he said, using her Chris
tian name deliberately, "the picture |
drew that day by the river? That
is the picture I have carried In nv
mind ever since-shall carry to the
end. Perhaps 1t has led me to be i'm
prudent
HAS brought me here tonight, for
example"
you had my invitation"
True. But why develop another
situation which, as you say, has no
way out?"
DO you want me to goT"
mo, Zen. no! want to stay
with you-always But society must
respect Its own conventions"
She arose and stooC by his chair
letting her hand fall beside his cheek
you silly boyr' she said. "You
didn't organize society, nor subscribe
to Its conventions. Still, suppose
there must be a code of some kind
and we shall respect 1t. You had your
chance, Denny, and you passed 1t up."
Had my chance?"
Yes. refused you in words,
Know, but actions spead louder"
But when you told me you were
engaged what could / honorably do?"
"MOre-very much more-than Won
can do now. You could have shown
me my mistake. How much better to
have learned II then, from. you. than
later. by my own experience You
could have swept me Off my feet. lust
as Frank did. You did nothing. II I
had sought evidence to prove how i'm
practical you are, as compared with