The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-04-12
60 On WITH THE STORY FROM HERE
CHAPTER LXVITI

CHAPTER LANlll
She doubted her eyes. She read
and began to laugh-choking with
hard hysterical laughter.
Ben Murillo wanted her back. He
would even make concessions--mag
niflcent concessions to win her re-
turn.
This was his letter:
ITO my wife, Alexandra Murillo,
l herewith offer the following pro
posals, believing that her interest
even more than my own will be fur
thered by it's acceptance | have sor-
rowed during her absence, regret
ting the hardhips and suffering she
may have born when released from
my care and protection.
MY marriage was prompted by
the highest motives, my only wish
being to establish a home where wife
and children might he happy. These
hopes are now batsed and / am per
manently deprived of these natural
joys unless she will act favorably
on this proposition. / therefore Of
fer these concessions, believing that
hereby all causes Of friction be-
tween us will be eliminated.
81. will settle on my wife
a monthly allowance of $50. which
she may use entirely as spending
money. I will ask for no accounting
of this money, and should she prove
wise in its expenditure l will in
crease the monthly stipend. This
settlement will continue as long as
she conducts herself with propriety
such as ] have a right to expect In
the woman who bears my name.
20. I shall not interfere in the
Friendships of my wife and, further,
will grant her the privilege Of en-
Pertaining any such friends as she
chooses in my home and at my ex-
pense.
"S. I will put aside my objection
TO women smoking and permit the
indulgence of this habit, with the
stipulation that she shall not smoke
more than four cigarets day.
"a. I shall open charge accounts
in the stores here and in Los An
geles and shall authorize the pur-
chase Of a complete new wardrobe
with the sole condition that my sis
ter, Beatrice Murillo, accompany my
wife and advise on the purchase.
IT ask in return only that my wife
come back to our home and that our
marriage be resumed"
Sandy went sharply to her
mothers room, her head very high.
She dropped the letter on the little
commode, her lips parted with her
swift, flaming breath.
Isabel reached out her hand, a
pleased, childlike smile on her face.
"Sandy--look-"
Ben Murlllo was entering the
room. The long, black eyebrows
arched winnlngly. His sallow face
flushed expectantly, as though he
had done something beautiful and
now waited to be told about it.
Sandy, her back half turned, felt
her whole body scorching with in
dignation. Isabel trying to maneuver
a stupid tyrannical reconciliation
like thisl
He approached. you have read
my letter.
Her face, her whole tense notion
less figure, seemed ablaze. She
swung about, avoiding him, walking
like a. flash to the window at the
far end of the long, narrow room.
He followed. SANDY have you
read? You think we'll of It? Shall |
give you a little time to consider?'
Her back to him, her chilly I'm
gers toying with the curtain, she
answered. Her voice was Iowa
whisper. The murmur Of it reached
Isabel's bed.
The nurmur rose and fell 1t
htH. led, paused, drove on relentless,
propelled by a fendish, dynamic
anger she could no longer control.
Eyes, have read it. You write to
me! You dare write to me. You
murderer! You wife beater! Allow
me $50 a month. Fifty thousand a