The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-04-04
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Hamilton S Pretty Cook.

So they abandoned the uneatabe hol-
| ocaust and went down town for the
merriest little feast they had had in
two years. The next morning Billy sal
lied forth like a conquerOr, and in two
hours returned-but what's the use Of
describing poor Hulda Mrs. Hamil-
tons face fell the moment Billy showed
her into the house, for the girl was too
pretty.
That was the beginning of the ''cool-
ness Martha began to recall her hus-
lands extraordinary enthusiasm over
what he continued to call "his find"
Even the pleasant memories of that
feast of celebration became bitter to
her. TO confirm her suspicious, on
Hulda's very first night off, Billy was
detained mt the Office
"Double work. Martha, since Tomlly
went away laughed the rascal, but
his wife knew better, and her heart was
pinched with silent rage. Suspicion be-
came conviction when she noticed that
her husband never came in by the front
entrance after Hulda's arrival, nor left
EXCEPT by the back stairway.
Billy" she began one evening, trying
to appear calm, though her pretty
mouth twitched as she said it. BILLY
wouldn't use the back entrance. It
isn't eNactly-that is. think it's rather
vulgar Why do YOU do it?'
"Oh, it's just to save me half a block
Martha, and in this muddy weather
hate to come in the front way with my
shoes dropping real estate
And so the subject was dropped, for
she felt that her expressed objection to
the back mode of entrance was palp-
ably trivial.
The iron having entered her SOUL
however, she continued to torture her.
self, and every time Billy praised the
cooking or said IL good word for Hulda,
Martha WINGED as If he had struck her.
She tried to trap him into arguments
so that she might pour out the flood
tide OF her misery, but he lodged every
effort at IL wrangle. and even made
love to her till she began to almost
loathe him. 10 make matters doubly
horrible, she began to notice that he
never passed through the kitchen with
out speaking in low tones to the SER
want, ana once, listening cautiously at
the closed door, poor Martha was sure
she heard the sound of a kiss!
That settled it. The next day. with
no explanation but the necessity for
economy" Mrs. Hamilton dismissed
Hulda and laid IA trap for Billy that
could hardly fail to bring about the
final rupture that was already neces-
sity for her outraged feelings. He al
ways arrived at his home upon the
stroke of 8, and at that hour, dressed
IN calico wrapper, with a light shawl
on her head, the better to conceal her
features, Martha lay in wait for him in
the unlighted kitchen. She was peel
ing potatoes over the kitchen sink
when she heard his merry whistle and
his light step bounding up the sair. In
moment he had entered and was say
ing:
"Hulda, why don't you light the gas.
You're not tired OF your job yet, l see
How's Mrs. Hamilton this EVENING""
He spoke softly and quickly, and went
ON into the flat. But in a moment, as
she expected. he was back, tip-toeing
softly this time.
us the old woman around?" she
heard him whisper, his voice husky
With unholy passion.
out" murmured Martha, bending
her head, both with shame and a de-
termination to keep her disguise. But
she felt like stabbing him as his arm
stole softly round her waist. She
reached for II match. and would have
lighted 1t and faced her vile husband IL
another strong arm had not pinioned