The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-05-20
4 WIFE'S DEPARTURE

IL was pity Lila Roberts was not con-
tented with her pleasant home, her plano,
her canary, her serene domestic life and
the good husband fate had awarded her In
the lottery Of marriage.
But Lila desired to live her own life
and not 90 completely merge IL into that
Of another as to lose her own Identity, as
she was now In danger OF doing. Besides
her present mode of living simply meant
TO her ambitious spirit stagnation. Fred
Roberts did not really plan to make any
one unhappy, least of all his own wife
He was selfishly following his own In
oiinations according to his ideas OF the
eternal fitness of things.
Lila regarded his wishes and immured
herself on the domestic altar without DOM
plant, but she did great deal Of thinking
and came to look upon her husband as
petty tyrant.
She had a gift ca music. and before her
marriage had played and sung at church
sociables and amateur theatricals with the
hearty appreciation Of her father and
mother.
Fred, not to be outdone In wisdom, be-
gan the making over process and hoped In
time to model Lila into sort Of composite
wife. when he should have grated on her
budding nature all the virtues which are
popularity supposed to belong to perfected
womankind.
So after duly considering the matter and
taking no one into her confidence Lila
made decision. One morning when Fred
was going to business she asked him to
wait moment, and, standing on the top
stairs of the veranda, she pinned knot of
purple and yellow pansies into his button
hole. Then because his face was SO near
abe kissed him.
."Goodby, sweethearti' she said, with a
little nervous laugh, and he wondered II
the neighbors saw them, and II they would
think him spoony.
Lila's pansies worried Fred all day. He
put them In water to keep them fresh. as
he wanted to wear them home q conces-
sion that foretold much good II Lila had
only known.
'.Pshaw, I'm as sentimental as wom-
amp he said to himself. 81 dare say It Is
dull sometimes for Lila without me. I'll
plan trip somewhere, In business inter
ests, and take her along"
Fred Roberts went home that evening
with fresh flower about to bloom In his
soul, and Lila's pansies worn at his breast,
He was disappointed to find the door locked
thing when Lila visited her parents
He at once felt aggrieved. That was al
ways the way when he had tried to do
noble deed-there was no one to help him.
Nor was there any supper for tired and
hungry man. That had never happened
before
Then he saw a note In front Of the little
French clock which had been one Of their
wedding presents He tore 1t open and
read:
DEAR FRED-our marriage was q mistake.
Better separation than hatred. Do not try to
find me, as IL will be impossible. and no one
knows where have gone. Believe me- ] shall
do nothing to bring shadow on your name or
the one shall hereafter bear. LILA.
Fred went into fury. The cat fed ap-
palled from the room and the canary ceased
to whistle and sing and became dumb.
When the tempest had abated, he went out
and began a search for his wife.
The search lasted year. He placed his
business In trusty hands and pretended to
be travelling In It's interests His hair
turned iron gray and became him we'll.
Purpose lines developed in his face, and
the veneering wore from his character,
showing the real substance beneath.
A friend who knew him at this period
of his career said to him:
"The world is full Of women. Why
compel an unwilling woman to be your
wifef Accept your liberty and begin life
over again.
you have never loved, answered Fred
II want my wife because-I love her."
"It would be more to the purpose II she
loved you," retorted his friend, with that
brutal oandor which friendship permits.
'She does," said Fred, and the two
words contained his whole litany Of faith.
The poor fellow grew as thin as shad
ow. He had long since parted with both
pride and anger. At first he was q walk
Ing arsenal, for he determined that II Lila
had eloped the man in the case should die.
But Lila's fitting soon became a mere
personal adventure In his estimation,
much like the running away Of q child
from It's home, and he was only anxious for
q chance to forgive and be forgiven.
In this mood he reached a hotel In q
small town, where he studied the register
and asked some questions about the guests
his invariable habit.
This time there was a mysterious sick
woman, who had her meals sent to her
room. He questioned the clerk and learned
that she was young and attractive and q
lady, but cried great deal.
He wandered disconsolately about the
halls, and at last ran against q waiter car
fying tray.
where are you goings" he demanded
In peremptory tone
taking a sick lady's dinner to her,"
said the man.
Here" commanded Fred, slipping q
coin into the mans hand, "give 1t to me.
Now show me the way" And, following
the waiter, he was shown into darkened
room.
A slight form lay dressed on sofa. A
pale face, scarcely distineuishable In the
gloom, was turned from him, but, oh, hap
piness, 1t was the face of Lilai And she
was weeping.
Fred was mt best but bungling fellow,
and he bungled now. Smash went the
tray, caught in Its descent by a table, but
making n noise that would have awakened
the seven sleepers Lila sat up with q
shock.
You careless fellowi" she said indig-
nantly. my head aches so now that
can hardly see-Fredi''
"Lilal" And husband and wife were In
each others arms, where we will leave
them, all difficulties being reconciled. =
Detroit Free Press.
Strong Men Of Ancient Greece.