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Ten         The BRONZEMAN

spend a few moments with her. Dane's eyes would be bright with interest as she listened to the soft even voice tell funny little things about her childhood days. Always their conversation was a happy one. When she would close around Dane like a dark cloud covering the bright sunshine on a dark rainy day. 

Day after day Dane saw less of Paul. She never questioned him, despite the fact that she could see that something was worrying him. A bitterness beyond words was filling her heart. 

Dane had not been invited to Bert's marriage to Maybelle which occurred in the big grey house, three weeks later. She couldn't keep the warm tears from falling on her cheeks and into the corners of her thin lips as the happy voices of the guests floated upstairs to her little prison. When she thought of Paul not insisting on his people welcoming her, and the many times he had remained away from her, it made her heart ache. Did he want her from his life? Was there some other woman? Lillian, of course. Had his father forced him to see his mistake in marrying her? Did he, after all, love her? Dane refused to believe he did not love her.

Some months later, Dane's little baby, Pearl, was born, bringing much comfort and joy into her life. Paul didn't see little Pearl until she was three days old. When he did finally come up Dane was too happy to ask him why he hadn't come sooner. Paul Laughed a little, frowned a little and turned away without even kissing his wife or child. His gayety was clearly forced. Dane's eyes, deep brown, were turned to him, with the scorn of turned to him, with the scorn of the full mouth upon his face. He was standing there beside the table making awkward attempts to look pleased and interested.

The following afternoon Mrs. Montgomery came to her quietly, crushed the tiny bundle to her bosom and brushed the tears from her eyes. Sometime, when Mrs. Montgomery was with her, Dane felt that the whole story of her growing hate for Paul and his father trembled on her lips; but she never permitted its utterance. "She is sweet," thought Dane of Mrs. Montgomery. "With a sweetness that only Mrs. Montgomery possess." 

A few days later, just twelve after the birth of Pearl, Maybelle's little Bertha was born. An Afternoon or two later when Mrs. Montgomery crept upstairs - for she had to creep lest Samuel Montgomery catch her - she whispered to Dane, "The babies, yours and Maybelle's, are as alike as two peas in a pod. I love them both." As quietly as she had come to Dane's room, she left.

It was at dinner that same night that Paul's father dared to bring up the subject again in regard to Dane and her child leaving his home. "They don't go!" Paul announced in a determined voice.

"What's that?" his father demanded, his brow lowering and a flush of blood rendering his forehead.

Fear began to grow on Samuel Montgomery. He knew the situation was slipping from him, all his beautiful plans were going to pieced because of his sentimental son.

Paul finished his coffee, grunted uninterestedly and lighted a cigarette.

"Then what are you going to do with them?" his father demanded again, with a tense quiet utterance that boded an outbreak.

Paul dropped his eyes at the sound of his father's voice. Quickly he added, "They shall remain!"

"In that case your allowance will be stopped at once."

[[boxed]]
I Find It All In You
By W. H. Shackleford

When I need light to banish night-
Turn darkness into day-
Deep in your eyes, the love-light lies,
And shadows hie away;
Whene'er I need nectar to feed
My heart that pines for love,
Your lips I press, in fond caress,
And soar to heights above.

If I need rest and quietness,
Comfort without alarms,
I find that rest and blessedness,
Held snugly in your arms,
If sad at heart, ready to start
To depths of endless woe,
Your soothing voice bids me rejoice,
And Shed those tears no more.

Light from above, my rest, my love,
My inspiration true, 
Whate'er my creed, whate'er I need,
I find it ALL in you.
[[boxed]]

Paul cast a helpless glance at his father.

"You can't amount to much in life with a woman like Dane for a wife. She's from a poor, home too well educated family. My boy, you have every opportunity to become great, to succeed in your chosen profession if you will give up this girl." He drew in on his cigar, looking directly at Paul's face from which cool composure was fast fading, and every moment assured him of his power. He continued in an even voice, "It will be hard at first, But in a few months you'll forget such a person as Dane existed. I'm an old man and I'm telling you this because I know I'm right. When you've reached the top - and I'll help you succeed if you put that girl and her child from you life - you can think of Lillian again."

Paul bounded to his feet: "To h-- with Lillian! Lillian! Lillian! That's all you've preached for months." He dashed madly from the room, but his father caught him as he started upstairs.

"Will you tell Dane?" he asked.

There was a moment's hesitation, then Paul added quickly, "Yes!"

"Now you're acting with some common sense,"

They parted. Paul to his study on the second floor and his father to the library where Mrs. Montgomery had fled when the argument started.

"Samuel, how could you?" she broke down crying.

"How could you hurt Dane and her child? How could you preach and force Paul to do as you want him to?"

"I've only awakened what was in Paul's mind all the time. I'm not actually forcing him to do anything that wasn't already brooding in his mind."

When his wife had gone, he sank back more comfortably in the big red chair. He was very pleased with his day's work and smiled to himself with satisfaction. To get Dane out of Paul's life was a very good beginning. Lillian, her money, and influential parents could come later. 

A month passed. One afternoon Samuel Montgomery, feeling that Paul had not carried out his wishes, stood, for the first time, on the threshold of Dane's rooms. She was bending over Pearl's crib when he coughed to attract her attention. Immediately her eyes lit up, Joyfully. So sure was she that he had come at last to welcome his little first born grandchild, that she spoke up eagerly: "You'll love her. She's so cute."

Then she saw him tighten his lips and frown angrily. He waited until he thought she had prepared herself, then he spoke in a clear cold voice: "Of course you know why I'm here?"

She looked up at him. Her face was ghastly pale. He knew at once that Paul had not told her, and he was plainly furious.

Stepping a little closer he went on rapidly: "You and your child must leave at once."

Dane shot him a quick glance. 

"Paul has decided that he will not give up my financial support for you and your child." The old man was delighted to see her sway under his cruel words.

Dane flinched. She couldn't think. It was all so sudden, so cruel. How long she stood at the window after he left her she didn't know. Maybe minutes, maybe hours. It was like a dream to her. Over and over again in her mind, she kept repeating that Paul couldn't mean to hurt them, to give them up. He simply wouldn't do a thing like that!

It was five o'clock before her husband came to her. Trying to be brave she chocked back the tears and      

Transcription Notes:
image of page won't load for me, been true for two days in a row. 2019.04.05--same here. 2019.04,05--ditto Thanks, will investigate now. TC team.