The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-08-29


ued. II knew you must know hat
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. Thu
Mounted Police are investigating Blu
time went on and nothing was hear'
of 1t. 1t would almost have been re
lief to me If 1t had been discovered.
had reported the affair at once, as
should have done, all would have beer
different, but having kept my secre
/ for little found 1t impossible to con
fess later. 1t was the first time eve
felt my self-reliance severely shaken
"Well, 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 1t harder. 1 never
told Frank
She arose and walked to the fire
place, pretending to stir the logs
When she had seated herself again she
continued.
"It has not been easy for me to tel
all things to Frank. Don't misunder
stand me; he has been a model hus
band, according TO my standards
According to your standards"
According to my standards-wheI
married him."
She paused, and Grant sat in silence
watching the glow of the freight upoI
her cheek.
"Your standards have changed 2
! said Grant, taking up the thread wher
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 l would
change my ideal of what a husband
should be-"
"Why shouldn't he know? That is
the course of development. Without
changing ideals Their would be stag
nation
Perhaps" she returned, and he
thought he caught a note of WEAKNESS
in her voice. But l don't blame
Frank-now. / rather blame hin
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 1 felt the need of protection
Besides, / took a matter-of view
of marriage. thought that sentiment
love, If you like-was thing of books
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 live here modestly, with but one
maid, 1t is because of preference
which / have developed for simplicity
l might have dozen If I asked 1t, an6
/ think Frank is somewhat surprised
and, it may be, disappointed, that
don't ask 1t. Although not a man fol
display himself, he likes to see me
make display. It's strange thing
isn't it, that a husband should wish his
wife to be admired by other menu"
Some are successful n that" Grant
remarked.
Il have not sought any mans ad
miration," she went on, with her aston
ishing frankness. II am too independ
ent for that. What do 1 care for theil
admiration? But every woman wants
love-"
Grant had changed his position, anc
sat with his elbows upon his knees
his chin resting upon his hands. "Yor
know, Zen," he said, using her Chris
tan name deliberately, "the picture
drew that day by the river? Thai
is the picture / have carried In my
mind ever since-shall carry to the
end Perhaps it has led me to be i'm
prudent
HAS brought me here tonight, fol-
example,"
You had my invitation"
True. But why develop another
situation which, as you say, has nc
way out?"
do you want me to go"
mo, Zen. no 1 want to stay
with you-always! But society must
respect its own conventions"
She arose and stood by his chair
letting her hand fall beside his cheek
you silly boyi" she said. you
didn't organize society, nor subscribe
TO Its conventions. Still, l suppose
there must be code of some kind
and we shall respect it. You had your
chance, Denny, and you passed it up
Had my chance?"
Eyes. l refused you In words.
know, but actions spead louder"
But when you told me you were
engaged what could 1 honorably dog
More-yery much more-than vol
can do now. You could have shown
me my mistake. How much better tc
have learned it then, from you. than