Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-07-15
T WO KISSES
(Original.l

fOriginaL]
There had been Il quarrel, indeed :
succession of Quarrels. which had end
- in the husband going away from
his home preparatory to a separation
from his wife. The terms had been ar
ranged by correspondence. They haG
two children. a boy and girl. The ia
Their was to have the boy. the mother
the girl. The father had returned by
appointment, and the business part OF
the affair had been transacted They
now approached the matter of break.
ing the news to the children.
Call them in," said the father, turn.
ing his back to conceal his emotion.
you CO." said the mother, with q
tremolo in her voice. II must get
through this ordeal with as little strain
us possible or I shall break down, and
to break down before the children
would not only pain them. but be ex-
cruciating for U.S.
Very we'll; l will go and fetch
them"
He went out and in a few minutes
returned with the little girl in his
arms, the boy dancing along. holding to
his fathers hand. Both were laughing
and shouting, for they had been sur
prised in romp. When the man came
into the room where he had left his
wife she was standing with her back
toward him.
Maud" lie said, here are our chill
dren. will explain to them as we'll as
1 can what is to be; then you can say
goodby to Arthur
The woman still stood with her back
to him and the children. She was
striving to master her emotion. Sud
denly, with all effort, she turned and
said composedly:
Proceed"
ARTHUR" said the man softly. you
are to go away with me and live with
me. leaving mamma and Amy. You
will have to get used to living without
them, for other people will take care Of
you. and you will have other play
mates"
who's to put me to bedy' asked the
child in wonder.
"Well, my boy. some good woman
will do that. and l will begin by put
ting you to bed myself"
II don't want any good woman to
put me to bed. want mamma. You
don't know how to ursdress me, papa"
The father knit his brows and. with
out making any reply, spoke to the
girl:
You, Amy. dear. will stay with
mamma"
And not have Artyy'
mo, my child. Arty is going with
me-"
The girl looked into the serious face
Of her father, then Mt her sobbing moth
err and an inkling Of the truth crept
into her young mind. Going to her
brother, she put her arms about him
and said:
"Arty shan't 60 away"
The two children chung to each other,
frightened by the serious looks of their
parents into vague understanding
that some calamity overriding them.
The mother sank into q chair and
buried her face in her hands. The IA
Their leaned upon a mantel, the image
Of despair. The children, their young
faces clouded with their first serious
trouble, glanced from father to mother,
wondering what all this meant. There
was no sound except the mothers sobs.
Before husband and wife came the
same picture. Was it thought transfer
ence or because at this moment Of their
parting their minds naturally fell upon
the moment Of most perfect bliss that
either had ever known? They were ten
years younger. It was springti1ne. not
early spring. but the ''leafy month Of
June" There were music and dancing
within. and out on the piazza where
they had strolled into the moonlight
came through open windows and doors
the sound Of violin. harp and flute Her
hand rested lightly on his arm, and he
led her to a ,ook under an overhanging