Go on with these ways, and I
tell you I'll dare a good deal more before I've done. I'll be rid of you
if I must break your neck and hang for it."
"You can't be rid of me. I'm your lawful wife, and you can prove nothing
against me since I married. Do you think I want to be such a one as that
mother of yours, to have children and mope myself to the grave----"
"You'd best leave my mother out of it, or by the devil that made you
I'll send you after her. Keep her name off your vile lips."
"Why should I? What good did she ever do you? She pretended to be such
a saint, but she hated you, and small wonder, seeing what you were. Why
she even died to be rid of you. Oh, I know all about it, and you told me
as much yourself. If my child is ever born I hope for your sake it will
be such another as you are, or as I am. You can take your choice," and
with a glare of hate she rushed from the room.
On a table near the fireplace stood spirits. The maddened husband went
to them, filled a tumbler half full with brandy, added a little water
and drank it off.
He poured more brandy into the glass and began to think. To Barbara his
mind was as an open book and she read what was passing there. What she
saw were such thoughts as these: "My only comfort, and yet till within
two years ago, whatever else I did, I never touched drink.
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