The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-10-15
The DrullkardSM Wife

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t0ssvsssAs 1s0yH Oh
can't be true. When they see me they
Sure they'll take you. Greene is
producing He remembers you and how
the critics began to go haywire. When
I told him you were laundering to come
back he said-The very, girl 7 want
"what's the theater?" breathed
Martha, warmth returning as her veins
tingled with sweet remembered fire. .
There's a tour first-a tryout, and
then the Century"
"Oh, dear, that settles it. But I wish
I dared"
What. do you mean-you wish you
dared? Don't you know your husbands
on the skids? Nothing you can do can
save him. The moment you leave town
with the company he'll go full speed
Martha rose from the riekety chair,
cheeks very white. That's why I
daren't go out of town. I'm sorry, Mr..
Oberstein- perhaps I am fool, but
I'm made this way. Don't be mad with
me for letting you down. It's worse for
me. want that part like I never
wanted anything before in my life-but
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a way condemning Nick to DEATH"
Oberstein rose, too, and put fat
comforting hand on her shoulder. Gail
right, Martha. I'm not mad at you.
Go and get on with the job you've
took on yourself"
In the days that followed, there was
no change except for the worse in the
situation at home. Nick went on his
needless way to his tragically newt
able fate.
The hackers, the manager and the
author. were at him on the telephone,
or backstage arguing with him almost
could go to hell for all they cared
about him personally, but not while
his sobriety was important to their
play.
For the sake of those who had
money in it and for the rest of the
lied him and SWore at him. They might
have been so much summer spray
washing over the iron flanks of Glib
raltar.
Martha tried again desperately when
/ they arrived home one night after a
specially poor performance. He was
unsteady on his feet, but sober enough
to understand her. "I know you're sore
at them for Fostering you, Nick, but
if you can't understand their point of
view, do think of your own future"
He turned on her savagely. why
should care? I've heard rumors you're
going around town angling after a
part ao, When zen you get one you're going
THAT doesn't follow, Nick. might
have something else on my mind"
What, for instance?"
1--WE spend all you earn. We may
need another source of income pretty
SOOn."
so you don't believe in me?"
She looked at him steadily, as hurt
as he was by what she had to say.
II believe in you as an actor. I've lost
my faith in you as man."
Nick's face went stony before her
eyes, like something cut from granite
devoid of human expression. He went
out of the bedroom and closed the
door.
Nick looked 10 years more than his
age when he looked in on Martha in
the morning. He was on. the defensive
and very bitter. IF you want to clear
out I won't stop you, Martha. I'm not
fit to live with. Take what little money
there is in the bank"
She said-youn need it yourself,
! Nick. If can't live with you I won't
live on you. I'll go back to the stage"
Parts aren't picked up so easily"
years away"
Martha laughed ruefully, chiefly at
herself. She was his staunchest par
tisan, his most clear sighted admirer,
but he had never seen in her what
others saw, or if he had, he kept his
recognition to himself. MY body is
pretty good,' she said with deliberate
and ermine in burlesque."
For Gods sake, Martha, keep your
sanity. That would kill me. Remember,
you're Nicholas LinleyS wife"
Then you don't really want me to
leave you?"
on earth would I do without you?"
piness-new hope. Then couldn't you
promise"
He drew into himself at once. "Just
like a woman! What's a promise, any
how? One drink and the things
broken, Cheer up now and see what
I've got for you -"
! He took a flat blue case from his
! pocket and flicked it open. A diamond
bracelet blazed from velvet bed. It
was heavy and cold but as flexible as
silk. A deep thrill went through Martha
as he fastened it on her slim wrist.
She felt for a moment the sinister
charm these things had for women.
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help wanting it. Nick lifted her hand
and kissed it. He said sadly, Thank
you for taking it,
He was sober when it was time to
leave for the theater. Before he left
/ he told Martha to put on her incest
! gown and remember to wear her brace
let. She was sitting in her favorite
place when he walked on the boards
with an air of splendid authority and
settled down to superlative perform
ance. In five minutes he had the audi
! ence in the hollow of his hand, signing