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By Courtney Ryley Cooper
One of the Series of Evening Public Ledger Original Short Stories
en Married Life by the Best American Fiction Writers
TT IS 0:15 o'clock. In tlie kitchen "!, et course. It's waiting. Just he into. "Why, Medaine ! I don't.
the last touches hnd been given a a moment, sweetheart, until I tidy uij '."
meal which was n hit mere extravagant n hit and I'll be with you. Only n1 "I didn't think you'd understand."
Ihnn was ci'temary in the household moment " I "Net cemlnft back? Why "
tf Mr. and Mrs. Jehn Carrlngten. The ' He hurried up the staiw, while again "Net coming back, Jehn," she re-
Mlvcr candlesticks were en the dining- the gaze of Medaine Carriugten Bought peated, and this time the voice bore a
room table instead of the usual glass the tlutnee, the gare of one whose mind certain note of hnrshners. "We're
enesj the service had been 'polished is peopled with anguish. Hut In a me- through!"
with etra eare that morning. At the meat mere It had vanished. Jehn was "Medaine!"
Mde of each of the two plates was a beside her. bowing in mock ever-polite- "I'leane"' She motioned him back,
sprig of orange blossoms, which had nes and offering his arm In nn extrav- "I knew what I'm doing, I'm per-
arrived, special delivery, from Call- a (rant Invitation te the table. fpcty c!pnr ""d sane. I've simply put
fernla, that morning. Just beyond the "Many congratulations today." hi l wlth ru flS len n I can 8tnntl
French doers leading te the living room said as they seated themselves. "Four I. and no Vm 8'n nway. You've
was a large basket of roses. It wns or live of the boys dropped In te tell me, heeorae unbearable te me, and when n
thui every year. their troubles, and incidentally te say thlllS like tnat happens the best thing
In the fireplace of the living room, hew much they envied us. Strange t0 de ls t0 Bct nwn7- $ l'm selng."
Ihc flames leaped In blue and green and ' what a few Jlttl- numbers will de, isn't
violet colorings, the off-giving of drift- it?"
weed, sending their colorations Inte the "Marvelous." Her self-poseslen
big, comfortable shadowy room, and hnd returned : w Ith him before her she
upon the woman who sat. lust wlth'n u agnln the usual Medaine Cnrrlng-
Ihc range of warmth, gazing into the ten. "This i the tenth year without
flames. Mrs. Jehn t'arrlngten a a niiarre'."
waiting for her husband te com home Jehn laughed.
. . ., ,. i i.-. t i...i. ,. "And (inp Iden nmv .nrf'.irl. T?entlpvs
aVnlverarv married, you knew-j'ust last . ' -em,. Den Wr,. LverythingMl
Vet tlmt'there wa, anv doubt as te Came Inte the efli today. Told htm ' lt,J " ' me
et tnat mere was any ueuni as te whatl() vrreng we. fln( Q t0 na.
the time or manner of his arrival. Mr. a" aueut our system, nnu new n s vnhinr In tt.. .rnrl.l tht
Bnd Mrs. Jehn Carrington had , rep- worked -out. 'All that en need for Jjj " ethng In i the .world that
utatien; they were known as the hap- hupping, Bent.' I wld, 'is te learn u. . " . be "' k" T(JU
lest married couple of all their set- count te a hundred.' Then. I went tj tb X "red of ycu,
a set, inciiientaiiy, win.-u mnuutu - - .---....--... --. ..Slek? Tired?
(.very worthwhile name In the directory. bow "P'r schooled eurselws intui ..,., f6"
In five minutes. Mrs. tnrnngten Knew, "- """ " -""""". " - -v
sweetheart, don't mind me. Of course
yeu'r tired. Ill tee. We'll talk It
ever in the morning "
"ThTe Isn't going te be any morn
ing. Jehn. At least, net with you."
.She laughed. "Ten year Is enough. I
want (-uin one eIe new." 1
"Ye'i'" He was en his fet in nn
iiiant, hU ringers stretching v pie. hlj i
l.rew working convulsively. ".wi
Medaine:-"
Kxactly what I said."
"A man:-"
"Yeu iluii't Ruppese it v ,ili b' :in
one else':"
"Hut Mi'dnlu.' "
"And I have your permileji t.. e':" ,
It -.reiu'-d that there was a littit- -ar-r.-iMii
in lmr tone. "Of C'.nrve, ji"'
knew. II tin nothing without jour
permi-sieii. I want te be Irani; with
SHE said It with mere coolness than
ever, and with an lnclslvcness that
cut deep. There was the slightest
twitching of Jehn's lingers then he
I turned away, and for a long moment '
was silent At last, as though eased in
mind, h" moved again te his chair.
"You're tired, sweetheart. Tired out
He again faced
Then for n long
II,-. m,l ,nnnA ,l,e threbbin, of a 're we tald an unkind word; hew, U "" " " ' Vain. cre. !
rnmlliar eugine from down the street " ei "' w"s nervous or Irritable, It
and the squeaking of brakebands which eecame im- mny ei tne einer te neia in.
always announced the hom-eemlng of nnd th- wonderful result that we'u
the be-t husband in town. Jehn never att-iine.l. After nil, dearest, it's an
failed, just u he never failed te tele- very simple, isn't it?"
phone her preebelv at 11 e'cWl: each "IMremeiy h." Ter just nn In-
morning, just a he never failed te Main her eve, oleuded enlv te brighter.
remember her birthday, or te -end the again. -I'm' never wen prettier m
l,i-..sf h.-isket of res.es whuh Le could than th ouem you sent today. Jehn."
CTerd, en their anniversary. Just e.
he never failed t" take her t. the th..
Kro en Tuesday nuhr. te the C-untrj
rieli fop the l'ridav liiglit (lanei-s, or
it the lNt is tee Ien,', .lellll was tti
Once mere they were before the driftwood flame. She took his hand in hers
t
"That's what jeu'r) always gO".l
enough te :-.-iy. Hy the way, this roast
.s done te a turn. I never tated better."
lli m-al lirngres.-eil te a pern-ct eon-
rleal husband. He never failed in any- elusion as lr alwajs did. Oace mere
thing. . .. ,
Ner did she. ler Med.nne Carrlng Carrlng
'ten also had her i!aee in tl. matri
monial un. Ken her enemies :uinitted
that she wis a perfwt wife. Tin: se
renity of the Carrington home was
something which n.uld net be denied.
Kvery one knew of it. every "U- spoke
hi it. Jehn Carrlngten and in- wife
never had even nuarreli-d '.
Yet, ns Mrs. Carrmgten watel.e.l the
fire, it teemed tlint an expres'leii. al
most et titter fear, was in lier ijes;
tlity were Lj-ture tne (tnttwoeit name
She ti ok his hand in hers.
"After a'l. it's remarkable, that two
persmis eeul.J j.-e through ten jears of
married life without .1 quarril. isn't f.
JellllV"
He neddiil. Then:
Yi in j way. Tlien again. ?!1
il..'.' is lie
I 1!."
irv
se.
the tapping of a r-hee u; en tie- .soft held v our tempt.
In en u.iei when I Iuim: tried jeti ter
iilifv, wmu I ve mtiile you se utiry
tnat it just seemed that jeu reumn t
jeu. jen knew. You've Mipperteil me
for ten jean. You've given me every
t hin - In the world I nmld nk for.
Hut haven't ili-.re 5'"u u s'U'ilied me with all the meiiej
s ivmimm sen"
run save evldenee of iiervenstie-s. tlu
Quick knitting of her hauls mpha
sized It. New and then she turned
her head toward the window as though
fearful of his ruining, yet anieiis that
he be here. Then she would resume
her former po-itien, her eje frmul.t
with presenlimenr, gazing in'e the bm
fireplace where the driftwood er.iekled
nrwl the flames leuped an 1 s.-uried li.
tagrant t-olerings. The minutes p.is.ed.
Ne. net eine, dearest. One Mrep'j
eoiilen't le-e his temper with jeu."
"There jeu nvi-tn't av that, l'e
siile... the 7ialn point, 1 suppose, is the
lait that u'si been aotempllshed. Ten
j-e-irs of married life, without t-ven .i
jiiarnl !"
SI IK rose thm
the shadow
P
A CAIi Mopped pretest. ugly. A 'e;
jJjl sounded. The deer open. d. t.
turned w.th her uunl smile.
"Hew aie jeu, dearetV"
"Same as ii".iir -Miluar' ' II
was hanging up his hat and ev -r.-efn.
A moment mere and h ci-nie hehm'!
her, te lay his hand en lier si., u'ee r r
fer an instant. "Hew's m;- s..,,.
heart tenUhtV
"Happy us always, Jehn ' Sle
teirned ami kis- d him lightly. Yeu
i.ui and moved Iewly Inte
Again lier hands
knitted ti;.' eiisi 'ou-U. An espre-'ien.
.' of ,' t.te paill, line Inte her evis.
Jehn did net m.i he was ga7lng into
the ll.iii', -. and w.itihuig the o.ile!.llj.-.:-
tie v tain" ane vent.
"Ten j'-irs without a quarnl' It
se-net' i-g mi he prejd of. semet' .ng te
boils- i.'eit te jejr friends, and -"
"Yes, suppose s,..-'
Thei" was seuii thing In her t ne
w lih-h e-iu-rd I'm te leek up ipiii kiv.
te Llanee toward lier as ttieiigli hn
l.ud .Mered a i.iseera'ien. 'llie rli ly-niig itri-nr idi a !
that any one :n t.iy ciri unistnni es c e-ili
wi-li ler, and jeu've renilj i -ole it pos.
s'.'ile ler me te linve the mimej te de
what 1 wanted te de when (he tlnp
fume, nnd se I really should ask jour
I'l-ruussiei,. I'speclally when another
in. in i1- involved."
"I'e jeu mean" celdnes had eenie
into his veiee "that you're going te
tal.e the uenej- that you've saved as uj
v,ie te fce te some ether man."
"I've said something like that, Jehn.
Mi relj frankncs and fcirnes-t te let veu
I; no iv. i
"Who Is heV I
"A friend of jeuni. W needn't
in -i'ie-i mine's,"
"V..-:" TI.iT" Were no 1 hg illUses
'e-wii-u Jein Carrlngten'- word new.
'I '..- w!iitei,i, of Id, ,.i. eks, 'he he k
of 'der m Ins lip,, turnim: them glmstlj
bl ie iii the hj.t of the drilt-voed, the,
gl.li ! Vef li.fulllg (ippear,'Ul''e of lim
'.V'S n'l gave evidence that temper had1
goiie hejend mntrel. "Ne',' 'e needn't
iiieutieti names'.- That's what jeu mij,'
Mi's. Jehn Carrington. hut I'e n dit'-
sl-tle-. lint juu're i.i.'-. are jeu,
Jehn? You're "
"l'leae '." He strove '.. break
from hep, i)Ut she hfld let i tight, and
a Siidden pleading hnppiiiess in lier
tone.
"I don't have te go away new, Jehn.
My 'ether man' has come te me. Don't
jeu understand, dearest don't you
understand? My oilier man has come
te nn tliy ether man that 1 wanted !"
"HuliV" It was the only word he
I'eiitd uttfr, as he steed there starinu
at her, his arms flat nt his xides, hi
lips open, his expression one of I'oiu I'eiu
bined anger, dlHtnay and wonderment.
The soft aniist tightened tit ill ineiv about
Lis ni'i-k.
"Kiss me. Jehn please!"
"Hardly !"
"Hut don't you understand' I was
just trjlng te make j-eu say the things
von did Fay it w.is the enlv vvav I
reiild think te de
Don't jeu see'.
I didn't knew any ether way In the
world te make jeu quarrel with me, te
forget that eternal eeunting te tt hun
ilrtd before you'd ever anuwer, te
te Jehn, please won't jeu kiss me?
1 don't love nny one In tho-jwerlil hut
jeu. I swear it nobody in the world,
Jehn! Don't you .see? I I "' Then
the tears came "I just couldn't ."tund
it anv any mere."
"Stand it stand what:"
"Why why, everything. Jehn. Yeu
jus' can't endure things forever without
alt and pepper. Jt isn't natural. It
it just get en my nerves until 1 thought
I'd go cr.-izj'. I "
"What's the " vank ainr.zenient
was hi.s new "I don't understand jeu
can't make jeu out, .Mulaiue. Salt
and pepper '"
"Just what 1 mean. Jehn. Put jour
amis around me. won't you, please?
i'le.ise. Jehn?" She caught u hand and
raised it te her shoulder, where it hung
a moment, then drupped limply. Hut
he did net resist her new, ns lie had j
done a moment before. "Tell me. '
Jehn is this the lirst time j mi'vc ever J
thought me spineless?"
Hi! SIHJOK his head, ta.ving silently
what he would net say in words.
It sullied te please her. She kissed I
him.
"And haven't you wondered often ;
hew en nil th you ever married me?
Haven't jeu wondered if 1 really had
enough spirit in even have n quarrel
with a tradesman? Haven't you,
Jehn? I've thought that about you
wondered hew en earth jeu managed
te ti.iiismi jour business, hew jeu!
ever i.t the hackbene even in discharge j
nn einpleje. iii'i never shown it at
home. I've tiiul te nettle jeu, linger
jeu nnd all jeu did was count t a
liundiT
"That was our bargain." He said it
somewhat grudging) .
"Just (he trouble just what hurt
me, that eu'd stay by a wily thing
like that. Jehn," she looked at him
quickly, "during thy time we've been
married, have ou really been happy?"
"I?" He paused. His lip.s pressed
tight for nn instant. Then: "if you
want the frank ttutli 1 huven't."
"Why?"
Again n pause. Then :
"Oh. -never mind."
"P.ur I want te knew. Is it for the
same reason that I haven't been happy
because ever thing has been just the
same, just the regular monotony of
sugar, sugar, sugar all the time nnd
never a bit of bitter sweet? Is that
the reason. Jehn? And 1 have been
uiihtipp.v. Jehn. I've known every
minute what jeu were going te de. I
Knew the minute jeu wire going te
lt'Uiu hutiie. the minute you would teb-
When does human nature
crash under the strain of
(car and tragedy? Must it
pull down all loved ones
in disaster?
THE
i
BREAKING POINT
phena me, the minute you'd wt'll
nt night, and what you'd talk iU
nt the dinner table. I kn. . .?
what you'd de and iay and !,. .'?!
net. And Jen a woman may uyj'
wants that, but she deem't. She i!'
a husband who'll be geed te her dim
of the time, but who new and thts
well, who won't. We can't be inD,Z
human, Jehn. It Isn't In us, v0T
been en time te dinner for ten r
I haven't even had the excitement
scolding you for belng late. I ' j!
ns If with nn Inspiration, she lWlV,' i
at him "Jehn. dl,l a"M
r via Vtcr Mam
hew an electrical Uerm rlenu n.. ."!
And hew sultry it has been befj! 1
chance te knew hew beautiful thnJ
can be' nftcr the clouds Imve ten.
iv u vc uiiu neiiimg out BUnshlne i,.,n
!. Mlmle.1 ,. -.! l. . """8
.. ....Vv .. v nK naven't ben
nble te see anything."
nrHIBN alie halted suddeni, t. ,
1 A light of understanding had cei
Inte the eyes of Jehn Carrlngten. n.
tired expression faded, te give vvay t
one which Medaine had neUsem i
.... ut...i i.i : H
,co.e. uimi ,jr me urmn raised an!
clasped nbetit the form nt hi.
He kissed her slowly, as one who taste.
long nt a sweet he is lonth'te leave. -Ten
years seemed te luir. J..'
away, ten drab, uneventful years, wl!cj
new bore no mere Importance in r 1
. .... .i n. . . ''' I
lur-euti. iiiiiu me nnincBs or monetonoii
plains. A soft hand touched hit t,.
pic and lingered there.
"We've just been driftwood, Jehn"
Ttn nedi iw nti,t blc i.' ,u.-
Then, like n Htrenk. he turned fJI
her nnd bounded up the Malrs. Wei
dcring, she heard him fumbling abmi
in an tipper room, banging at dravvm
and uttering strange things under hi.
eiruui. eiui ueiucr. JjOM
Then : ''
"Medaine." rnmn In hattn.i. .
yet ones which seemed strangely fracgit
mm iiiiijin:ss, nuvrj in luueder art
my IUI1KVU NliriB
fn 1 li e renTTi hlntp r..lAin. .. .
the smile of n woman who has feutlt
nnd wen. She knew instinctively flu
I. ....... .,. I.a 1.1.1... .1.!.1. .. e14
ii oho nub m ouiiie niiicii .ienn want,
ed that he merely was yielding te i
thing he bad put behind him for yean
hurrying te that which he hnd lenrd
te de for time interminable yet a thlni
denied hlra through the repres!en of !
"system" which new, happily, vvas (
system no longer. Fer they were en i
different basis, a truer haul that el
plain, honest naturalness, where rl
love could thrive In both the sun.
shine of ineffable happiness nnd the oil.
tivntln;: storms of normal disagree
incniH. She whirled toward the stairs
and called upward, snappily, yet uitb
a glint of merriment In her eyes:
"Higlit where they've always been,"
eiiein line nTlileul v.i nnnnmii.m.ni.
.... -.,.... -. . - .... wi.mi vuitill :
"right in the third drawer of the clilf. ,
forebe, If you'll take the time te leek
for tliem:''
l'Iv. mltoitea lntnf n enllnt .t.nn.J
en the veranda of the Cnrringten twj.
It was Inevitable thnt lie -dieuM glance
through the window, te see within lb
living room two pet-sens Hitting befers
n driftwood blaze, beads together, arra
about each ether's shoulders, te ra
cllnnt sweethearts waiehing the flicker
ing of the Haines. The caller siW
In envy.
"They've get the S'vslein." he an.
iieuiiced te himself as he tmu I he Ml;
"liaiipiest darned couple in town!"
1
.1. liii- n ' Dangerous Ijcjs
if tie urepliie,, cajght he; features, te
&?(&
1.
iii
1
Ceurinry I'ylcy Cooper, cutler, Irr'urrr rr i mi mil crptrf
en jungle ernmuM, htnan lift: at n clean nitl mw
Jfr. Cooper lays thnt h ran eiray from home for hr .' fii te
join the Huflale lhll Wild UViJ Mete at thr, aye of fv , fi'.d that nftrr
that, regulaily two or three Mmtj a year, the tent of thr eprr family
ipent most of tfl fim dragging him home uhtnrier i'in ut ramn te
h($ tecn, Kansas City. After about fve iiears of thu in Injun , mix
tkt eircu business cith that of the k u ji;ni;ir ami kit (An ihit'j
iept" te become a reporter for thr Kutnai ilij Slur. lh' (Ami iw
Otstively teat a sperial tcritrr for many M'icpfi)fri. ...iter tll he
6oeme general manager of a large nrcin. I'otleirwg thu he turnul An
attention te telling the rest of the irerhl rhat hr had lent red of th
land of the sawdust ring.
were a dear te send me these reie.s. diplav them as singularly pale, slngu slngu
'eti never forget. Jehn." larly drawn and indieative of Mifferlng,
lie straightened proudly, lie half rose, but she motioned him
"Why should 1? Pretty Are." i lack.
"Yes driftwood. I've been sitting "Please Bit there, Jehn. I've some-
lre watching It, while I waited furl thing te tell jeu."
'Your privilege! Hut the infeni.n-
Hen wen t eniue from me."
' I de, i i epe, tit. I can t.t'd e'lt
!'..' I, ij. It", vvitle'i't theneersitv ..f 1'in
ni'.g diiwii anv l'p-s which eni night
fe i . . I'll liud out "
I -pei-t ye i te.T'
' I ''"' Jeliu I 'arrlngte '. -l. ,,.r
.' r i. i-lii-ud. si.ung insl ins 1 1 a r te
i.i - 1 it, hi- hands gvlpped, i! i i-
'-it hi jaw- hulking as hi- tieti
griti'-d. "Don't worry for an m-i mi
nlj" .r that end of ji ! I'll tine ei.f."
"And then?" A peculiar gl.nt had
eri'i i into lier I'll". "Wlleli Vei'ir
'"i id out? Murder. I suppe.,
! I.I. I?" lie lllllglll.l
1 I'd.'r. i v i r jeu? uv t
. " 1. 1- no i ...r- sen-"- of 'i.
the t'.lng Jell've dele
Iv ! ,i riv the s.iii r
"ig the kind of a jn ieii i1
.i :t h a i ..riselein I".
.i ;: Mere."
' "t j i' e-riSe , .In) n
' I if V ,, It ? '
T i i.-k ..f li. ik'-me
' I I !l . Illl'll W 111. Ill,,, -'.
'" I W ,e fllilu Je, . Vull V e li
f)V n ,, r'llgl)l 111 till e li"H
' Nn?" His bauds w.rku! i.s
'1 lell -Ji Mil. "When 1 f i'
1 dv , it w ill he for stealing -.
'' jeu understand what i i.
W h'-ii I f ..- u mini it wi'l le I., i
s tal en .eiiielhilig fi.n i
I til H '.''-. find lint I'id'i. '1 I i. . I
'ilaiik-f. a'.un d incubus, a tlei t ' ., r .
' i llg "II n ll'-e M ee h, -, ' 'I Hi -.,
e in i -1 t j . i-t ii i I i i.i-'i .. ;, v
"at si. i i-e-ilil rob i..": se,.,, , ,, .,,
ui hi .ii. i l-i'sI leg lh.it "i '' -i. I . nn -,
I 'It her e' h.'l-U't flllV ll I re - l.l.glh
ilnn tn tale the weld of I lie lr ' t,..iii
'vim 11. iMer- In r and i t, s i . i : t p.
't in a'.n.'- -villi him smipU ,.,iliW ,.
i.'lls le'i- nny mass of li. , ihit hippens
te i mil.) into bis head' 'll.r'i when
I I'll face a thief, when he's si,,iei, M,rnu.
(thing- de von undiTstnihl i :..ti '
"And n for ou " he i . ..;..,i te.
ward ihe doorway "ou uin go uhen
iid whern eii cheese, m, i ti..- s.,ener
ll.e Letter. I tllelizllt Jell VV i -.. n
..'man when 1 married you. I ' v s teiind
" ir in the ten jeai'i that e ie f!1
L.iiig together that jeu're iue'e m
spuie'css, re-'ii-tl---'. nhareIn.e n,nss of
hiiinan putty. I didn't expe. t thiic:
l.l.e this hut I Should ll'lve l , own t,;it
It would come. It wai the enlj end
pe-sihli, the only thing pns-ihi.. -from
ii person like ou. Jless"u,, .. y0,,
haven't anj ? Strength of riiiitetir? It
det'Mn't exist. Splnelew: It's the only
word I can think of for von the
v r
e I l
. I I. -I
s 'll.e.
e " III.'
you.
only-
"Whv. dearest? i'eu seem se " i
"Don't please." She gripped the'rnfinN he halted, gasping , warm,'
back of u chair ns though for support. 1 i,npuUiv- little form was . les, t,(
i te nny It as ipiiekly (is ,lim Il0r ,irms tight nVmt his neck.
. in h.uim uniif, .ienn. , i , j,!,, seeKing IUs ntui klssin. him
.i- .limn ' r-
I -up-
a nieitiput.
Ar
Fer a moment he, tee, looked into
CJie bln.e.
"Ileautiful. Driftwood, eh? lUtlmr
hnrd te get. Isn't It?"
Sim smiled.
"Yen but then, tins i-
sary."
"That's tight. Thin ughr
nesn the dinner h vv.iJtiiu:''"
It was a useless iiiieatluii ,is,eu lininiinlpei.il u ou walled awhile
merely for the sound of it. .luliu Knew if jeu i willy want te H,n was talking ug.nn, her words
that umner was reauy. it niwajs was "j den t mean tnat wny, Jean. I'm treiuniiig cAt-iiemy, ucugiiicdij
ready, The home of Mr. and Mrs. Jehn net coming hack." I "That s just what I've thought
Carrlngten wu one in which nothing "Net 1" He stared at her in non- about you, Jehn what you're said
er was awry. He went en: plussed fashion, for n long time before n bout me thnt you were spineless, re-
'I - I waul
pe-hild
The e . l wis fill Pit
lie WU- Hi I.I for
' W. II. il Jin- fee' 'I'll jeu should
i( eiii'-e, i' wool. I he better from it
but
ig nn and again
lib. Jehn. v("i re W)l, ,,( ;
..hie :.ll In li breath, "j im -in.p.j u,jn.
hi rful '. I "
lh, sMove te puh hr ii'viiv, and
filling, merely ginped Hie i , j-OP
WHO'S WHO IN Till". siTfh'.T
DK. JlAVllt LIVItifnM.. chirf tl'vllcfen
in Haverl-j, a t,metl (e.. .1. y- ilal but leulT.
lit St fires a trr.t coike ' j ,d '.'TV .'
th r 0' fn'til 'it);u w th
Lift', (os Aistcr. (jajtul tj rverybeiij in
town,
UK. Ulrif LfUXa.lTOSE. n wtu,ir men
cry th't It e sep. ard u he ii irt riTiOe!
aeMj day te ae lnu-k te Sarrtcta, hl c-dllil-neua
home, lu eitlrr te 1rtt1je thr ear.
lie i full of litahtv aid ii heuish loekino
a'Ki (lrdee In ( of M tdlrtu vrar and
rrofeHMeval career, tie (i (n Ine irllh
EUZ.mr.TlI iviii:i:i.i:it. a u-doliseno elrl.
uie hivt 9 hln tertj ilnccrelu.
BLVUIU.Y CAKLr&I.r. nctrcrv. n (,i. ti
bears bfere, tyai li ised up (n n curinrts
ttury. Ilir hw,ba.id, l.ucai, had 'jcmi ihnt
te arih. e5 teas uenerallv tir(,.'ti(. I.v a
certain .hut r-(u,'V, t itclt 1,00 ti iieii abciit
fiui. ( lurl hid drnvvearril Ime'ctftati-.ii.
ii rt i t. an b"licid hi XjeHsect i a l.'(4
Ji i.
IHll) Glir.cnlltY. Heer'; W Iter and
.'1'iayt'r. uAesc r-i'drciM I.i - ( Im no
i. ifli
LOI li In.ill-.lT " te-i'inu- mi. "-h'l
iiiSff-.- thnt i(. I. Lvt.ji'.i-e (. Jud
'.arh. ii i'f(it i- te t.'mi- si piei tir.
''.4. K T..i(,f((.'- s iltr. i.n f -ravaaant
lOuna ii ite,
ir-SLlK U-.tR). 7,'!.-5iil,fh'ii t,,..fl.-r-lR-:atP.
iir. AXn MHt- WllKt2Lr.il. tuv, ( .twieri
cm vare-its.
WAl.l.lf tiAYRE. a uch veith i h3i o e
ia!!ii relmt neth-r v i'hrs Mm te marni
IC.iabeit. vitn wheri he U tmltten.
T.N' SPOKANi: he eutlitted himself, for
- liis clothes wr ie lagged, and with the
run.ilnder of his m ney be-ighi a ticket .
te I 'Idea je. Beyond Chicago h had'
no thought save one. Seme mmj-, some
how, he must j:et te New ..ik. Yet all
the fin.e lie was fighting. He tried
again and iigain te break aw. v from the I
ii.otienal ds'oeiatlen'. fiei.i vvlii-h his
tiiei' in of her wis en .'tiii; when
thai failed he struggled te face irdlit ;
the lapse of time, the lertaiu'v- of his
disappointment, at th" best the Inevit
able parting when lie went back te
.N'erudn. Hut nhva.vs in the end lie'
found his fuee turned toward the Unbt,
and her.
lie had no fenr e' nerving. If he
bud learned the cost of a dollar in bleed
ii id muscle, he hnd the bleed and the
inn- le Thin- was a time. In Chicago,
vvlen the i s-itv of th.iiking about
luenej irrii.i'e.l him, for the memory of
Ins e'd epuh 'i nins was very clear.
Times when lis lei.. per was uncertain,
and he turned surl- . Tiiue-i when his
helplesFiies hi. .light te his lips the old
familiar blasphemies of liis youth,
which founded strange and revolting te
bis rars.
He had no fear. th"ii, but n great
impatience, (is though, having lest se
much time, be must ndvnncn with every
minute. And Chicago drove him fran
tic. There can.'- a time there when lie
made a delihei-nte attempt te sink te
tin- vei" depths, te seek furgetfulncHS by
burjiiig one wietcliednc-.s under (in
.. tn.-r. .
lie ntiuiipiid te find work and tailed,
and h- trnd m let go and sink. The
fetul fisu't of the eierlmcnt was thnt
Im wakened en. morning in his lodging
house ill and with his money gene, save
for some small silver. He thought
iienicallv. lying mi his untidy bed, thnt
evui tiei reseuiccs of the depths were
ilesed te him.
He never tried that experiment iijln.
He hated himself for it.
Ter daj-4 h" haunt ed the " est Mndl Mndl
teu street emplejmeut nRenrles-. lilt
the agencies and sidewalks were (ill. d
wi'h n.eii win. uiinderul iiiinlesslj wim
the elijictlcss slmtn. of the lllU'llip'e "I
ll.'ds had gene up in the lodging houses
ii thlrtv-live nuts ii nigh', "ml ih"
loed in the cheap test ml ran is u
almost uneatable. Then' came n duj
I when the li'ce morning colfee lit ii
, ISihlu icseue lieme nnd its soup nnil
potatoes and carrots at night was all
' W'the flr-t time his courage begsn
In i'..il him. He went te the lukeside
thai night and steed looking at the
water. He meant te tight that inijui.su
of cow ai dice at the sunn e.
1 ji te that time he had given no
tbeu.'ht whatever te his estate, ! oyend i
the fan that he had been uudeubtidlj
adjudged legally dead and his jirepert
divided, lint that day as be turned
away from the lake front he began te
wonder about It. After all, since he
meant te surrender himself before long,
vvhj net telegrajill collect te the old of- I
tics of the estate in New Yerk and
luue them wire him money? JSut iven
granting that they weie still in e-i-lence,
lie knew with what bngi'iy
caution, following stunned surjirise,
they would go about investigating the
message. And t! ere were leaks in the
telegraph. Hi; 4 mid have it jiacl; ei
newspaper bounds ul Jus heels within
a few hum i. The police, loe. Ne, il
weuldirt de.
lie get a job as a taxi-
that night and' everj
lie went back te West
mid picked up en.- or
mere of the denlicts there and bought
them feed. He deu loped (intc a sys
tem about it. II.- waited until he saw
a (nan step outside an uitiiig house,
then pass en. nut one
latin r a shock. I'er ihe
he uc esti d looked al him
lirst with susii, ion, which was mil un
usual, and Int. r with ania.enient.
"Cat. tn n Livingston.-'." he l.iid, and
becked his hand as u vva.s about te
rise te tin- sniiite. His into broke inie
a smile it ml he whipped off his cap.
"You've forgotten me, t.ir." In- waid.
"Put I've Ket jour visiting card en the
top of mj html nil right. Can eii
se it?"
II" bent his head and waited, but oil
no limned ate reph being toithceining,
for I'l.-k 'i as luisiilj deterniiniug en a
ifllll-M' .. .i.'tiell. Ill) looked up. It Wlls
By Mary Rcibarts Rieehart
," "K," "The imu:iii,'; Interlude," ami manii oilier
Cepyili'lit, 1V22, by Geerge ll. Varan Ce.
itrikltii; and successful novels.
Can evil identil; be lesl
in geed? See hew this
throbbing story et mystery,
regeneration and lore seltri
these problems.
Tim next daj
call driver, and
night thereafter
.Madisen street
loe,- in and
Light lie get
.vuung fellow
then tna
sh: hhv c'
' I s. V
ing-lei
i. ie i
' I iinnk
ninii." ll.e
'aief.iijj .
' mivv Hick's cie.-ii and
ih. s, and his gi in f.iibd.
he siiid. "Seu nn I.iv
aren't you? I'd have
.veu'v-e mad.' a mistake, old
said, feeling for bis words
'That's net my inline, mi -
hew. I thought, when I saw nu
'taring m ni that window-- Hew
about it '"
The hey leek is I at him agnin and
thru g'niired awaj.
"I was looking, nil light," be said.
"I've bet ii having a inn of haul luck."
1 1 had bis u I lick's cusieni te eat with
his ii'uls. and tluiH lenieve from the
iiii i I the quality of ilet.ielied charily.
M- n vvlm wMUhi net take money would
loin him in a mral. Hut he could net
f.u the llghls with tills keen-e.vtd
vien.gsiei'. He efl'ercd him mom y in
si.aij .lust a lift," be said awkwardly
when the lmy hesitated. "I've been
thete Ill self Intel."
Hut whin at last he had prevailed and
turned away lie was conscious that the
doughboy vvas staling nfter him, puz
.Vd and unconvinced.
He hud a bad night after Unit. The
encounter had brought buck hh haul
iv eikmg, care-f i co days in tint nrmy.
It hnd brought back, tee, the things he
I ..d put behind him, his inofesslen nnd
is jev in ll, the struggle and the
iispiniMetis thai constitute n man's life.
Willi tin in thu nine, tee, a mere real
i:iiiih"tli and a wiie nf tendel'lifss ter
In i iiml "f iVgret. lie turned en his
-tigging b''d mill deliberately iut her
iiwii) from him. liven if this ether
ghost were laid he hud no right tu her.
Then, one day, he met Mrs. Suyre,
and saw that she knew him,
Wallle stared at his mother. Hla
mind was t inn e protesting the fact room he naln steiinid In front of lur
nnd i.iccptiug ii vvitli its t eii.seitiences I hi angry llush had subsided,
te hlmseif. Tn. re was n p.'ivciitible "It's the devil of a mess." he coin-pat-se
lit fni e he spoke. lie steed. Ifimenteil. "I suppose the siptare thing
it'ijthiiig. semiv hm stralghtcr, but te de is te tell 1 .-. Dnval and let lilm
that vvas all. decide. I've pit tee much at staku te
"Are eii sure it was Livingstone?" b. a judge of what te de."
"Positive. 1 inlkid le him. I He went upstairs hoen after that,
wasn't sue,, injself, at tirst. He looked ' lea'. ing her still in her chair, swathed
shabby and thin, as though he'd been f in furs, 1 f.p leiind, anvieus fuc. hent
ill. and lie had the audatlty te pi etend , forward in thought. He had rarely
in first be didn't knew me. He i lused -ecu her si troubled, se uncertain of
the deer en me ami " I hi r next move, nnd In., surmised, kuevv-
"VVaii u miii'itc. mother! What . ing her. that her emotions were n com com com
deer?" I'll x of ntr.li tj for l.iiiiself with i'.liz.i-
"lie was driving a taxicab." belli, of pliy for Pavid, and of the
11- loeh'il.iit her ii'i'icduieiisly.
"I don't believe it," he s,.,i slowly. . .
"1 ilildk you've iiinde a mistake, that's '
Jill." .'
"Nonsense! I L:n. him a, well as
I knew von."
"Ihl lie acknowledge hU Idenllt?"
"Vel In se mini words," she ad
mitted. "Hd siiid I had made a mis
tnki. and he stuck te It, Then lie shut!
the deer and dieve me te the station.'
'i'l null ether chiin. e I hud was at'
th -tntl. m, nnd then- was u line of'
e.iiis lieimni us, in liud mil a sec
ond. I s,u ,. didn't intend te admit
auj'.:i,, s,, j .uj, . ( eun M.,. j,,u
don't mean le r gnie nie. Dr.
l.h in.- lone. Inil I must knew whether
I ma p. siij ui home t licit I've seen
Jeu.' lie was m.iljng luuige for me
lit I lie nine l'i hlue Jjlnwu Ills hands,
I think, i1' I hailii'i si, I, iinjtliliii; else
m.d .vhen he looked up his face was
shin king. lie siiid. 'Aie ih.. y nil
right ' -Ii.imiI i Verj HI,' s,,(.
The i.ii-s In Inn. 1 ueie waltlic.' nnd milk
ing a teiiile dm. mid a tinllic man ran
II 1 1, thell mill nillde him llleve mi. He
gave nie the strangest leek as he went. .
I steed iiml waited, thinking he would
lurji and eine hae, .'igaln al the end,
of tie- line, bin I,,, didn't. almost
missed mj nam." j
Wllllie1- l',i'-t Hiielieli te tee news
was one of huiiiiiig ling. I- nnd i-eiide'it- , , ,
nation. nienierj of Iiui, l..gsiene's baggr.r.l
"The bl.ielgu.'iiii: ,e said "The fi"'''
InsiiiTei-iilile ."i.i: ' !ue run nwiiv '""e Mit alone f.,r sie t iuie and then
as be did. and then te let lliein hcliev'e "l!11 leliictautlj up th, .(,,!,., t ,r
til in dead' I'm- tlu.i's v,mt thev de b'lli-oein. Shi felt, l,s WjtHIn, that
believe. It is kiiliu: Havid Living- she had I .u uWV, .,, sii,, de.'lde
stone, and as ., Pli.uheih She'll t,lvl,J" whut te de.
have te lij mid iiiniln r. e'N ulhe. Ill the (.ml slie deenleil te ask Dr
He swell. Audi, has deliln nitelv ie- IJejne'ds' iidvicc, im, t ,, ,, ,inl
terled them nil. H,. .,uv:l.t te h" .slim " sle jirnceedeil le de it. Hevnelds w-ik
"ou didii - s,.,. h.ui. Wullie. I did, lli'erestcd. even lt0 pelted Me
lies been thieiigb sun thing, I don't thought. Iitlt lie thought , )r.,. ' .....
knew- what. I didn'i fe,'p lu-i night te tell Dnvld. He would hlm-elf cn te
for tliinking of his fu,e. It md despair illinium Miller with It. ' B I0
'".'.',',, ,,..., .' "Vl."1 Hl-V '"' l'1"'"' ion?" he In.
All right. In sin,, mi-'tilv nans, iiuili'i . wntc lint' her. "I si,,, i
Ing before her. "W'hrt ,, jeu intend is no doubt about ili.it?"
"',.... fc " enni ,i in,, iii-ium new nn iiici vvei, , it,,.,, i.i,,.
"Net ling ierj cndiiuhle, be sure of and Ills projects, and threu-h the
that," he pimieunid. "I) j ,,k his light te uiari'.v. He had wanpd
it is fair tnl.llitiil.eili t , , M. NsnM(, Knd thill', and into a very V..inslil
her life en the memory of a man who's ' ci-nhle cenfnt. ' " '"
deserted lier.' I "I M,c," , repeated, nnd get tin
"It would be eme! , If.u ,,,... t T 1 1 tell Miller, nnd we'll get te werL
"You've get te be cruel te be kind, j We are ull very grateful t0 Veu r
i.nliil.t HIPS." II. sun ..no., .!,..!.. I.UO ' 'll " "l .'rS,
' - ., . uiiu , , . ,, , . . , -,i, in-
i.i . - . .
say ."he said. -m !ir,, i,tv.
"iKstwi. i-ren't you?"
"I've get something te settle." le
said. "I wns wondering while j nil were
singing, dear, whether jet: tejld l.dj
me out.
"When 1 sing you're nippe'Cil 0
listen. Well? What is It?" She icri'M
herself en the nun of hhs cli.ili- im
rnn her fingers ever ids hair. She '
ierj- fend of him. and she meant fe
a geed wife. If atie ver thought of
fllelr t.lrltiMnne new It W ns 111 WU'
net'tien with her own reckless cenfe!-
'ion te Klit.beth. she had hated
belli ever since.
"I'll take a hypothetical case. If yei
guess, je-.i needn't say. Uf teuis. in
a great seetet."
sll,n lfiwl..nn.l neil, lint- neil fltul tltll.
He used no unmc, nnd hu said netbist
of nny crime.
"The point Is this," be finished. I
it belter te believe the man Is '
or te knew tlmt he is nllve, but '
cut himself off? '
"There's no mistake about the reoef
eillnnl"
l.l."l. . 11.1
".Somebody from the village saw MJ
In l-l.lenp-e Tvllhin i itflV Of LVVQ l"u-
talked te him."
sJl... 1....1 .1 1...V. ..IaI.,m in . tnO
noe nnu ine wreir pn uiiv " -,
meiit. She knew that Mrs. S.iyre w
been in Chicago, thnt she Jiau s"
Hick there and talked te him. ?
turned the n. alter ever in la'r Km,
.!..... .11 I....I... I.... ..I..,tnf li- ItLlHl
-IIU'HUI.I 1 illllllllll 1IIK IIUII'0"f, 'v . j
fneiien,.. ,.n PI I , 1 ! u. I. ItVOll 111 B"
.vi..,,s ,-.. ......ru... .....
mniisi, ..
"IV. wilt." she advised him.. '
may reuu. back with them, ami m ''
I,... il .. .11 I .,, mial. U
Ciisu I'llllil will Klieii neon '" ",j,il
hr, mii'y refuse te, and that would "
him. He'd rather tbiiil; him ueau m
thnt." UI,. .1. ..!.. 1,nt nletlf. IIC'I
.Illy rir,,l .,llie I, i.e.. .ei,"-. .
spent rnther mere time than usual
dreshlng thnt morning. Then she t
'.. tin. ... !,.. W'linttnt tinllsL1. Bu"
"'I i.J I" l,e ,,.,v.
cut.. I,, .t,nt .1.. it nu flniier 11.) rm
-,,, ,e nun, nn. .,,. ..w.... - . .
.... ... . ,,. .!.,.. l'I. 1,,1 nil I
icuuiriy iiiipni.ie nun;. ' " , i,,l
great revenge in mind: all i lint swi
intended wan an evening of the f'
between tin in. "II" pieferred roll '
me, when you knew I piiiisl: bu w
l,,,u ,i.,u,,i,.i , .,,i " n.l tn rJniTis, tw
a Miiall jirese'nt j 'nlnuny. for -'"-' JJ
te live in the Olll lll-ICK i.i "";. , .
house, or In one le it, vide nl1
village expected ultluinte'y te see l.i
I -.1 ....... II.. I 1.. .1... I.. ...en ,SI llll Itll
Ul'lll lUSlllllCIl ll, I III linnet .... - . I
She kept her message te I he enji ;
lier vlHlt, nnd tieiivereu "l'i ""
standing. , , ,,n
"I have Hemething I ought ""
veu. i:il7abeth. Hut 1 don't knew M
you'll take It." , ., n.,,i
"Mm he It's something ' vvea t i"
in near. , i,,fl
"I'll te'l jeu If you wen t sin wlim
you ienn t. ,, , ,t(
...... .1.....1 . i. i. .. u, liiipatl"1"
in t .117:1 nn 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 niiii.'i t ' .
'I don't like se.'H'If.
t'lnra-
thiel'
Ihe man ma ne miiri 1,1. Mny be (,.v. I As a result of that visit HarrUnn '
thing. A nui dine,: ji,,,.,.,,'. .1.,., iiifr . jiHS ,. went ti,, , .,r. " ,
Itself show that le- s lii.linc f,,,,,, rU,. I'bicage. They left It te Dr. Itevnelds'
tiling' . i.iedlcal Jildgnieilt whether );,V, ,,
She sat. 11 sninll .., ..,, llin, , ,n( ,. , , Jtejrields hi, ,," ,1
laruei- In her furs, nui si.ne.i ,1 1 ,11,1 ,,,,, Uiimi- In 11,,, ,i 1 ' V
villi itreubbd c.ves, sliuttl,. the next evening te t'lur,.itu'T
"I don't knew. W'nllie." s, H,j, f,,,,, ur 1"J''-
helplessl. "In 11 way, ii ,ul"bt he "Seiiiething'n troubling i,,,, .i,
1, ,,!,.,, I,, lull her. Sin. ,,..,,1.1 ..... 1.1 1.1 ,.v i.i."mi.' ' sue
" 1 1 ii -".e.i poi 111, 1, Mini. juuiu nei 11 oil. lllie jeu
eui in ler I'""". 11 "-ii. nut 1 im tti te 1 eni tienr."
de 11. k I""' Muniiing a i,ni,j-."
jeiirtelf,
Iln understood her and iuii!,l,i Vh.n
after. taking a turn or two about the
lie looked nt her. Te him nIh . -e
that was Ana aa4 Jaed and tana of
Judgment.
eest en.
f rein'f Un (hem. for
Veu'd better net te'l me." ..
Clare was nenrly balked of "lf
venge, but net entirely. ,,nird
1 "All right. " Rhe said, and I rerjwjj
te depart. "I won't. " ?ea, "iK
ius-t (liul out from your MrnLzL
Savre who It wnn (the uuw In -
thin week." ... hy bit
It whh in tills ninum-j. "'.-f.u
nnd each hit trivial, that JW ".
against Uiek was bunt ir '.'.. nulrt
Mm. Snyre, helpless before l.er d'
I. ...!.. I. ...I ... neinilW l'llS ."'1
ilienill.llllK, nil' I '" " "-, , hlj
dimnlng thing nfter niiether. I ..L.
known h. ; lr- had net linked for .
beth. but only for Hav ;l! " '
tired nnd thin, but w,lr1,Vk
nt the wlniUnv watehlng K"V'tI,J!
,i 11.. i.ui ...im, ,, fepiliiK tliai.r
hnd Just aeen Vemc thing die htfere ?'
Te, be continued MenrfW ' Wt
Tj-
It
r-
ife.t
. $ 'MK.ie-tf.
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