San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-23
CHAPTER XIX
A KISS AND A KNIFE.

air fresh and braclng as an eIlAI'
Andrew went past his wife's room
softly. The door opened. She stood be-
fore him dressed in street clothes
earish purple cape and white kid
Gloves grip at her feet.
She smiled: "Wil you be here to-
night, Andrew!
"Non
"Where are you going
Il have business out of town.
II thought you would. See, l am
going with you. an ready.
i am sorry. ] cannot take you"
"Why? ] won't interfere. i can
stay at the hotel while you're busy.
I'm ready. I've counted on going.
He moved impatiently. She pressed
her bony hand on his arm. raising her
face SO that her eyes seemed to stain
him with their heat. Andrew, please.
j am lonely. In fourteen years what
have you done for me? Whom have
i seen? Where have you taken me.
He measured her coldly and silently.
Her thin lips wavered. i don {
mean that. You were kind, Andrew.
But You have no right to treat me as
you do No right! VIII you take me
with you?"
Il cannot take you. If you want q
trip or if you want to see people; 1
will have a mechanic sent for you.
He felt sharp, angry culver strike
through her nerves; her eyes harden
in fury. She raised her hand and
struck him in the face.
As he went down the hall her sobs
made an unpleasant, muffled trail %
his ears. He went out of the house,
sickened and furious.
Andrew did not leave Fairdale that
Saturday. He thought of Lily Cornish
the things she had done with his
life: the things she was still capable
of doing.
He felt her hand fly in rage against
his cheek. He heard her cries mutfled
in his ears. 1t was insupportable.
He considered what he should do.
Scenes ike that Of the morning would
become more frequent. They solved
nothing.
All morning he sat in his office.
Andrew had settled the legal cases OF
half the residents in the county. II
was easy to see escape in the problems
of Others. BE found no solution foE
his own.
He thought Of leaving her abruptly
never returning TO the house. Then
he saw the weak, trembling lines Of
her mouth and sn unpleasant sense
of responsibility chained him.
She had been lonely these Il years.
Her life was Of her own making, but
il was a wretched, empty affair. He
might appease her-offer her change
Of scene. Later on, they would sep
arate.
The thought of freedom intoxicated
him He felt suddenly young and
reckless.
That afternoon he sought his wife.
She was not in the garden, nor in her
rooms. He waited and finally went
up for book.
Lily was sitting at his desk, in
tently concerned with a small drawer
in the corner. Hearing Andrew, she
sat up stiffly. A hairpin dropped
from her fingers.
why are you back! thought
you were out of town."
what are you doing here, Iily?"
Nothing / have a right 70 sit
herei"
"You can't pry that lock, LILY.
And it wouldn't do you any good. l
don't keep any secret paper there.
@rm not looking for secret pa
pers. I'm only-Tm looking for
picture-our wedding picture"
She began TO whimper. Tears
streaked down the heavy powder OF
her cheeks.
He found himself unable to speak
and went out of the house, shaking
with repugnance.
In the middle Of the week she was
in the garden, half-reclining on the
long chair near the lilac bushes. In
this attitude Of dull passivity, her
hands clasped, she was familiar, &C
ceptable figure; the menace of her
recent activities faded.
Andrew asked her IL she wished
70 ride.
She answered, keeping her glance
on her hands. ~No. ! wish l had
not been cured. That is the only
thing / wish"
When be didn't answer, she ac-
cused him plaintively You wish
il, too"
@No-you are mistaken"
-You refuse TO accept me- ] am
treated like a stranger in my own
home. / have no position here. What
am /? A wife and not wife,"
He said: Il have come 10 talk OF
this. Perhaps we can reach an ad-
justment--"
Her eyes lighted eagerly.
But be went on quickly: don
want you unhappy, Lily. am GLAD
you are cured. The nerve strain
seems 10 have been heavy on you
/ have been thinking you ought e
90 away for a while. When you
are rested, we may see things in
better light
She sat upright, her thin lips
Strengthening: Are you to come
with met
Il cannot. ] am very busy now"
sAnd you think ! will go alone
After fourteen years Of quiet yo'
think need q restI You are trying
10 get rid Of me-"
he pulled over a chair and, sittinI
down. wiped his face. She caught III,
note Of resignation and weakened
Her hand reached over and lay Of
his.
~Andrew. pity me-
He checked the impulse to recoI
Il do"
-You don't love me-"
His eyes rested on the distant hills
half LOST in pallid saffron wells. III
wondered why he had 10 listen TO thl
uncomfortable questioning.
He said quietly: Il am not 2:
Lily. The years make a difference"
-Yon mean your feeling for me ha
changcdf You don't want me as
Vifef-