The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1902-11-21

lie (dlstresSfully)-TO think 1t
should ever come to this, when we were
once so happy.
She (triumphantly)-I cut the Cor
dian knot for you, and ask for a sep
aration. You ought to be immensely
obliged to me. It's all so easy to ar
range, as we have each our own little
fortune, and there will be no none
tary difficulties Let us approach the
matter in a businesslike manner-for it
is certainly no affair of sentiment. We
can have legal document drawn up
! by the lawyers, but all the minor de-
tails we can settle amicably between
ourselves.
He-Surely you are only poking
Mabel? l am quite dumfounded. Have
these scatter Drained musicians and &c
centric violinists quite turned your
brain?
She (firmly, with little stamp Of her
foot)-What a time it takes you to
grasp any new idea! l am quite de-
cided, and have wished it for long
enough. We will have proper separa-
ton, de corps ct de biens, as the French
say, and l shall take snug little fiat
near Oxford street, and you can keep
on in this house. Now, let us begin and
divide our goods.
He (sadly)-You've always had your
own way, and l suppose you'll get it
still. If you've quite ceased caring for
me, I'm sure l don't care what hap
pens. 1 shall go headlong to ruin.
She laughing and rising from her
chair)-What long face you pull, you
silly boy! 1t will be great fun hav-
ing ones own establishment; we shall
be far happier apart. l feel quite ex-
cited about it, and shall set to work
to divide our belongings. Half of the
things in the house are mine and half
yours We must choose what we each
like best. OF course, you'll want me
to have the pianos?
He testily)-Take the COMPOUNDED
things away. can't bear the mention
Of music-it is the cause of all our
discord.
She docking round the room)-These
pretty water colOrs, too, l should like.
Men don't appreciate pictures, and you
understand nothing of art.
He (dejectedly)-How beastly cheer
full you seem, Mabel!
She with asperlty)-Of course I am.
For goodness sake, rouse yourself,
Walter, and take an interest in things!
He (crossly)-Then 1 lay claim to
some knowledge of art, and tell you l
mean to have half of these water colors.
l think they're lovely.
She-How selfish you are! But the
timepiece and statuettes, of course, are
mine?
He deciding to rouse himself)-Im
blowed if they are! My father gave
me those for my rooms long before l
married.
She-Then I'll have the silver lamp.
He-What? The General sent it to
me as a wedding present, and l shall
stick to it,
She Geproachfully)-Sent it to us,
Walter. I've quite as much right to it
as you.
He-But there's no "us" and more
It's only me and you; and what's mine
l take
She Gmpatiently)-But we must di-
vide the things.
He (calmly)-Divide away, then. Give
me fair share of five chairs, three lit
tie tables and a cabinet.
She-Oh, don't be so ridiculous, Wal
ter! You make me so angry. Evil
IDENTIFY you mean to get the lions share.
It's always the way, the poor woman
goes to the wall. Frightening up
I've got it! Let's take things in a lump.
I'll have all the morning room furni-
ture and you the contents of the H.
brary.
He-Agreed. But must inform you
that the collection Of books is very val
liable and that your morning room
gimcracks are utterly worthless.
She-I've always treated you in the
most generous manner, and hate those
musty old book shelves. But in return
l expect all the silver and linen. Those
household requisites always belong to
the woman.
Helm dashed if they do! The sill
e yer Is an heirloom, and all marked with
the Cochrane crest. l wouldn't part
with it for a thousand pounds.
She petulantly)-Wen really, what
+ is there for me to have? You persist
emily claim everything of the least
' value, and leave the rubbish for me-
[ At least you will assign me my own
D bedroom suite?
He-It is yours.
Cf1. ~ q