The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-12-10
By E. Philips Oppenheirn

nothing but ~unhappiness to you. And that's
Mabel"
"GOod-by ?" she repeated blankly. YOU'RE
not going away, Harry, just because 1 let
you kiss me?"
Pretty well that" he admitted. "Any-
way, I'm off up to London tomorrow, and
if things go as I'm hoping there, III be
for South America next week.
She turned a little pale.
Are you so anxious to get away from
me, Harry?" she asked, in a low tone.
God knows I'm not" he answered. 'but
you've got your man here and I'm not one
to ask you to break faith with him, poor
invalid that he is"
But Harry"
Little woman" he interrupted, hOarseIy,
I'm trying to do the right thing, not for
my own sake-just for yours. Don't look
at me out of those big eyes as though you
wanted me to stay. T1l-Ill@'
Then suddenly Harry FOulds felt some
thing coming of which he was ashamed,
and out of the shop he went and up the
street to his home, where he saddled a
young colt he was breaking, and had q
few hours of dangerous exercise. That
night he supped alone, never daring to 90
down even as far as the Melhampton Arms.
The meal was scarcely finished and he in
his easy chair when there was a tap at
the door. He opened it himself. Leonard
Cliff stood there-a pale, dOur figure.
Il want a word with you, Harry" he
said, his thin, nasal voice sounding harsher
than ever.
"COme in and welcome" the horse dealer
replied, with a sudden sinking of the heart.
The two men seated themselves in the
little parlor. Harry FOulds offered whisky,
but the other shook his head. So far Mel
hampton seemed to have done him little
good. His cheeks were still hollow, his eyes
hard and bright. Before he could find
breath for words, he cOughed for several
moments, and held his handkerchief to his
mouth. When he spoke his voice was peev-
ism and Ill tempered. 1t lacked the dignity
of righteous anger.
Harry Foulds,' he said, you've been
making love to my WIFE,"
"I1l not deny It," was the prompt ad-
mission. 81 think a powerful sight more OF
her than of any other woman in the world
and that's why I'm going away"
Going away" the other repeated, his
tone rising almost to a Shrek. whats the
good of that? The mischief's done. She
won't even look at me. She's restless every
day till you came in-wOn't have me neal
her. You know what they call it in this
law courts. You've alienated my wife'i
affection, that's what you've done"
Harry FOulds was a little taken aback
Nevertheless, underneath his bewilderment
there was a curious little thrill Of joy.
I'm not one that understands mucl
about this sort Of thing, Leonard Gift,
he said slowly. "If I've done you an injury
I'm sorry. It's to prevent myself doinl
you a worse one that I'm going to quit
these parts.'
Don't be a silly fool" was the furious
reply. whats the god Of your goini
away now? The michief's done. The thin)
to consider is how to make it up to me.
Make it up btO your" the horse deale
repeated, a little dazed.
Amt it plain enough? I've lost my wife
She'll never be anything to me again. Wha
want know is what you're going t.
do about it?"
Then Harry Foulds began to understan
the sort Of man he had to deal with. !
great pity for Mabel stirred in his heart
THAT eighty pounds I lent you, Gift
: he began.