The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-29
A WIFES DEPARTURE

al4C EVttA A4AaAl lass Ae1-- laFHe4At-l~A AIA -A-
the lottery OF marriage.
But Lila desired to live her own lifo
and not SO completely merge it 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 stag1ation. Fred
Roberts did not really plan Co make any
one unhappy, least Of all his own wife.
He was selfishly following his own in
olfnatiOns according TO his ideas Of the
eternal fitness of things.
Lila regarded his wishes and immured
herself on the domestic altar without COM
plant, but she did great deal of thinking
and came TO look upon her husband as
petty tyrant.
She had a gift of music, and before her
marriage had played and sung at church
sociables and amateur theatrioals 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 a 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 a decision. One morning when Fred
was going to business she asked him to
wait a moment, and, standing on the top
stairs OF the veranda, she pinned a knot of
purple and yellow pansies into his button
hole. Then because his face was 50 near
she kissed him.
fsGoodby, sweethearti'' she said, with a
little nervous laugh, and he wondered if
the neighbors saw them, and if 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, a conces-
sion that foretold much good if Lila had
only known.
HPshaw, I'm as sentimental as a woTn-
amp he said to himself Il dare say it is
dull sometimes for Lila without me. III
plan a trip somewhere, in business inter
ests, and take her along
Fred Roberts went home tha6 evening
with a fresh flower about to bloom in his
soul, and Lila's pansies worn at his breast.
He was disappointed to ind the door locked
and the key under the mat-an occasional
thing when Lila visited her parents
Ho at once felt aggrieved- That was al
ways the way when he had tried to do a
noble deed-there was no one to help him.
Nor was there any supper for a 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 it open and
read
DEAR FRED-Our marriage was mistake.
Better separation than hatred. Do not try to
find me- it viii 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 a fury. The cat fed ap-
palled from tho room and the canary ceased
to whistle and sing and became dumb.
When the tempest had abated, he went out
and began search for his wife.
Tho eoaTch 1aeta1 q VAR Ia T7Iacp6 his
business in trusty hands and pretended to
be travelling in its 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
wife2 Accept your liberty and begin life
over again.
You have never loved, - answered Fred.
81 want my wife beeause-I love her"
1t would be more to the purpose If she
loved you, - retorted his friend, with that
brutal candor which friendship permits.
She does, - said Fred and the two
words contained his whole litany of faith.
The poor fellow grew as thin as a shad-
ow. He had long since parted with both
pride and anger. At first he was a walk
had eIoped the man in the case should die.
But LiIa's fitting soon became a mere
personal adventure in his estimation,
much like the running away Of a child
from its home, and he was only anxious for
a chance to forgive and be forgiven.
In this mood he reached a hotel in a
small town, where he studied the register
and asked some questions about the guests
his invariabIe habit.
This time there was a mysterious sick
woman, who had her meals sent to her
room he questioned the clerk and learned
shat she was young and attractive and
lady, but cried a great deal.
He wandered diseonsOlately about the
halls, and at last ran against a waiter car
rying a tray.
'.Where are you goingP'' he demanded
in peremptOry tone.
Taking a sick lady's dinner to her"
said the man.
Here, - commanded Fred, slipping a
coin into the mans hand, give it to me.
Now show me the way" And, following
the waiter, he Was shown into q darkened
room
A slight form lay dressed on sofa.
pale face, scarcely disting Unstable in the
gloom, was turned from him, but, Oh hap
piness, it was the face Of Lilal And she
was weeping.
Fred was at best but a bungling fellow,
and be bungled now Smash went the
tray, caught in its descent by q table, but
making a noise that would have awakened
the seven sIespers. Lila sat up with a
shock
you careless fellowp' she said indig-
nantly "My head aches so now that
can hardly seo-F redt''
'tLilar' And husband and wife we're in
each others arms, where we VIII leave
them, all difficulties being reconciled.--
Detroit FREQ Press.
CoIored Pair Fight
"A family jar occurred in North To-
peka this morning in which John Ben