Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-07-18
The Daily Short Story
A SEPARATION.

| but l4ila desired to live her own life
and not so completely merge it into
that of another as TO lose her own iden-
| tity, as she was now in danger of do
| Ing. Besides, her present mode of liv-
| ing simply meant to her ambitious spir-
| it stagnation. Fred Roberts did not
really plan TO make any one unhappy.
least of all his own wife. He was self
| ishly following his own inclinations
| according TO his ideas of the eternal
| fitness of things.
| 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 10 wait a moment, and.
| standing on the top stairs of the veran-
| da. she pinned a knot of purple and
| yellow pansies into his buttonhole.
| Then because his face was so near she
| kissed him.
| "Goodby, sweetheart" she said, with
n 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. n concession that foretold much
| good if Lila had only known.
"Pshaw, I'm as sentimental as wo-
| man. he said to himself. Il dare say
it is dull sometimes for Lila without
me. I'll plan trip somewhere in bust
| ness interests and take her along"
Fred Roberts went home that even
ing with a fresh flower about to bloom
in his soul and Lila's pansies worn at
his breast. He was disappointed TO find
the door locked and the key under the
mat. an occasional thing when Lila Wis
tied her parents.
He ut once felt aggrieved. That was
always the way when he had tried TO
do n 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
open and read:
Dear Fred-Our marriage mistake. Better
separation than hatred. DO not try 10 find me, a.
il will be impossible, and knows where
have gone. Believe me. l shall do nothing to
bring shadow on your name or the one shall
hereafter bear. LILA
Fred went into a fury. The cat fed
appalled, from the room, and the cana
ry ceased to whistle and sing and be-
came 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 pre-
tended to be travelling in its interests.
His hair turned iron gray and became
him well. Purpose lines developed i'll
his face, and the veneering wore from
his character, showing the real SUBJ
stance 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
wife? Accept your liberty and begin
life over again"
You have never loved" answered
Fred. Il want my wife because
love her.
cit would be more to the purpose if
she loved YOU" retorted his friend.
with that brutal candor which friend
ship permits.
she does" said Fred, and the two
words contained his whole litany of
faith.
The poor fellow grew as thin as
shadow. He had long since parted
with both pride and anger. At first
he was walking arsenal, for he de-
termined that il Lila had eloped the
man in the case should die.
But Lila's fitting soon became mere
personal adventure in his estimation,
much like the running away of child
from it's home, and he was only anX-
nd h.a
given.
In this mood he reached a hotel in a
small town, where he studied the regis
ter 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 at
tractive and a lady, but cried great
deal.
He wandered disconsolately about
the halls and at last ran against a
waiter carrying n tray.
Where are you going" 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 1t to
me. Now show me the way" And, fol-
lowing the waiter. he was shown into a
darkened room.
A slight form lay dressed on sofa.
A pale face, scarcely distinguishable in
the gloom, was turned from him. but.
oh, happiness, it was the face of Lila!
And she was weeping.
Fred was at best but bungling fell |
low. and he bungled now. Smash went |
the tray. caught in its descent by ia
BILE, but making a noise that would |
have awakened the seven sleepers. Lila |
sat up with a shock.
"You careless fellow" she said indig-
nantIy. MY head aches so now that L
can hardly see-Fred!'
"Lilaw And husband and wife were
L.. III, nthnr,S arms Hvhere we will L