The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1924-05-16
ReconsiderinS the
Matter

Bv CLARA DELAFIELD
re, lss,. w.t.rs Newspaper unIon.)


Isobel's finally arriving Mt her decision.
For = period which seemed an eternity
she had shaved for Howard Field,
wearing out her youth. her beauty
washing. cooking. ironing for him. But
the taunts Of the other m had be-
come unbearable.
Isobel had had plenty Of opportuni-
ties for lovers Of her own. She was
still beautiful. But she had stuck dog
gedly TO her work she was sacrificing
the best years Of her llfe-ah. that
was the worst of it-for those who
failed either TO appreciate her services
or 10 understand her nature.
There was Towards old mother, .
frequent visitor TO the house, always
by her side. even In the kitchen. grum-
bling and scolding. She was q servant
in the house, and they treated her with
even less consideration than a servant.
And then the other w0man-hOw
Isobel hated heri She had seen How
ard kissing her furtively when he
thought nobody saw. He paraded his
love for her openly.
Only the child remained, the one
link that bound her to the home. Iso-
bel and Dora adorsd each other. II
love you better than Daddy" the child
had often said. Isobel always remem-
bered that. 1t was Dora who had held
her. an unwilling slave, in the Field
home so long.
Now ever that-love was not strong
enough to break ISobel's determine
ton. She was leaving the house.
to see any OF them again. Only that i
evening Howard had sworn at her
because Of some little flaw in the cook
ing. COokingi Was that ell q woman
made for-to cook for 4 manf
No. she was going, and she was 90
ing to a man who would show her the
proper appreciation. She was not In
love with Donald Dugan. His attitude
her had always been one Of
tender chivalry. Once, when she had
sobbingly told him Of her troubles. he
had urged her to leave Howard for
ever.
Come TO me-, Isobel,' he had said.
ah0 L Will PlolC(l yOus 4UU 3udt
never shed another tear"
what will people sayf"
1t vas the old question, the old fear s
hat links people together in unwilling
'Tsobel, the world will say that you
AVE acted rightly. That monster has 4
10 claim on you. You have toIIed for I
i'm thanklessly. Come to me, Isobel :" d
She had half promised, and How y
rd's treatment Of her that evening A
ad been the elimination. She was y
cing to Donald. b
Softly she packed her bag In her "
putting into 1t q few little essen
dress. her wrap. a cherished
'iiet servfc-that was about ell that
10 was taking from the Field home. 81
1t was well past midnight. She crept :
to the passage, listening fearfully. =
he way to freedom now lay open. But I
the thought of Dora came to Y
r. Suddenly she realized that she d
'uld not 90 forever without 4 part n
g glance at the child. n
She listened outside Dora's door. No Il
'und came from within. Softly she
1t and entered. Il
Dora lay on her back, sleeping the
lshed, dewy, innocent sleep Of child
'od- Her long fashes lay d~elicately
ION her cheeks. The sight Of the
lmbering child aroused every in
net Of motherhood within her.
YanhAl hA~k Il mi
cheek. Dora stirred family
her sleep and smiled. "Mummyr !"
!. whispered. y
The word was like 4 dagger In Iso- =
s heart. She clutched her breast p
anguish. She looked at Dora. And :
ldenly she realized that she could
go. ev
The could not so. The, mother in pa
let had proved too strong for her TIA
the last. -,
tut as she turned back the door Of
Fields room opened softly. How XVI
Field appeared In his dressing ne'
7n-Howard and the other woman Ger
sobel uttered a cry. With q fierce
Howard advanced toward
on from my house like q l
4 In the night. Isobel! Is this the Tri
o repay me for my kindness? S.,
ZEN! Stay with mel Let Us I'm. bio
stand each other. know IFS DON
Dugan who is enticing you. We've
taking things over Stay with
and wen raise your wages ter dol
a month and send out some of the :,
D. AND you can have the use Of =
car on Sunday afternoons" A
Deed. l will. suh." answered Iso- Dia
happily. It's that old wash gives for
such q b~ackache. that's why I was -.