usband in
the same hard staccato. "I saw him kiss you."

She half rose, eying him fearfully; then, reassured by what she saw,
sank back in her seat, fingering the long glove she had partly drawn
from one white arm. As on that other night, her faultless shoulders
rose from a black setting of laces and shining jet, and, manlike,
Shelby took the garment for the same which had helped to warp the
fabric of his life from its design. The remembrance maddened him.

"Speak, you devil," he charged.

"I love him," she returned defiantly. "I love him."

"And my wife!"

"I was Joe's wife--before."

"You've the right to say it," he owned.

"Well, then, meet me halfway. Since you know the truth, what do you
advise me to do?"

"Advise you?" he echoed.

"Precisely. Put yourself in my place. Suppose that you were in love
with somebody."

He started.

"I--"

"So hard, is it? Suppose it, anyhow. Suppose yourself a human being
instead of--well, say a personified canal; a human being married to
another human being--the wrong one--with your love for the right one
growing stronger every day. What would you do?"

"Master my passion. Preserve my self-respect."

She laughed at the trumpet note of his answer.

"You've the cocksure remedy of one who has never tried."

He strangled a retort.

"Try to comprehend my feelings," she pursued. "If you were in love
with me, I shouldn't ask it. But you're not in love with me. Frankly
now, are you?"

"I am your husband."

"And I'm your wife. Does that prove a love affair? No, no. The naked
fact is that neither cares, and because of that I ask you plainly how
we can best arrange the matter."

"This is nonsense."

"It isn't. It's common sense. A New York woman I know--I met her at
Narragansett--was in the same position. Her husband was broad-minded,
and they settled everything without an unkind word. She lived
somewhere in the Dakotas for a few months, married again as soon as the
judge signed the decree, and made a roundabout journey home her wedding
trip."

"And you would imitate this programme?"

"In some respects--yes. I've not thought it out in detail. Your
practical mind ought to shed abundant light. If you weren't my
husband, I'd retain you as my lawyer."

"By Heaven, I've stood enough of this!" flashed Shelby. "Are you
destitute of even the moral rags and tatters a Hottentot may boast?
You ask my advice. Have it you shall, and follow it you m