The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-18
SHAPTER n
SKATER 75 said nothing more con I'VE corning his aunt. Neither did hor fO, eoyoro1 dave

NAT AWHILE said nothing more con corning his aunt Neither did
 1 mention her for several days. Really 1 had no chance. He had been out in the evening, twice to card games at Ruth Markham's, to which he re fused to take me, and at other times on business-so he said. I had taken a hard cold, so remained at home alone instead of going over to Junes, as had done so often since his aunt left.
 The house was in commOtion. Car penters, paper-hangers and painters had the second floor in charge and were rapidly making a very attractive suite of my dressing room and the nursery. When this was finished they were to make one large room of part of the attic to serve as a nursery for Anna.
 II shall leave for the west in the morning." Manville said as he came in for dinner. II shall be away about q week. When I return aunt will come with me. Her rooms will be in order by that time"
 l commenced to cry. l couldn't help it. Just why I had chung to the hope he would change his mind 1 cannot explain, but I had. Now l knew from the tone of his voice, as well as from the preparations which were under way. that nothing I could say or do would alter his plans. Yet l pleaded, l begged and implored him to make a home for his aunt elsewhere. More than ever had done before did l show him how unhappy I had been when she was with us. I recounted many of her actions which up to now l had kept from him. I pleaded until l was worn out with my emotion. But he was ad- amant His only answer:
 Aunt Cynthia shall have home with me as long as she lives if she wishes to remain
 And 1 repeated:
 Very well, Manville, no matter what happens, don't blame me. You have made your choice" This time he said nothing about "heroics. He made no answer at all.
 The next morning he did not go to the office He waited until the work men came, gave them his final instruc- tiOns, urging haste, then kissed Anna and me goodbye and left for the train. I had thrown my arms around his neck, and asked:
 You are determined to bring her here to live|
 nave IOlu you ny SCF- eral times Please do not detain me, " and he none too gently unlOosed my arms.
 For couple of days l remained quiet inert Then I began to get ready to carry out a plan l had made in case he insisted upon having his aunt live with up; upon making me simply a nonenity for the rest of my life, as believed 1 should be were she to live with us. I put my clothing and Anna's in order and then packed it in one large trunk. I went to the bank and drew out my little legacy. I had a check book, but would not dare to use it. It would show Manville where was He would be sure to go to the bank. l was going to leave him; to stay away until he either sent for me to return as the mistress of my own house. or forever. never would come back to the life had lived since 1 had married him, especially to that 1 had lived since his aunt had been with US.
 took no one into my confidence. desperately wanted to tell June, des- perately wanted her to know where was going. She already knew why. But Manville knew of our close friend ship he would be sure to question her. I would not embarrass her.
 After days and nights of thinking