Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-10-03
DAILY SHORT STORY
His First Matrimonial Case.
rOfigihakl

ten years.
1t was the driver of n one horse We
hicle who spoke. He was driving a
young couple up long, winding road
to a summer hotel. They had spent
three weeks on a wedding trip and
were on the morrow to be again at the
home they had so recently left, happy
bride and groom. When they reached
the hotel they alighted in view of
guests Longing on the piazza.
Brother and sister" remarked one.
''No. They're young, but they've
been long married." said another.
az put them down as bride and groom
who are in the midst Of their first quar-
REL" said an experienced matron.
Unfortunately there was an hour be-
fore dinner, and the couple must talk.
There was nothing else to do.
'This all comes" said the man, "of
your not respecting condolences. Moth
ing would tempt me to read any letter
belonging to you. The note was not
addressed to you, but to Miss TOrbert."
Herbert and Torbert look enough
alike TO be mistaken one for the other.
Besides, care nothing how 1 came into
possession of this information. 1t is
what have discovered. Three weeks
after marriage learn that my husband
loves another woman and only married
me because he couldn't help himself"
EMILY, I'll admit it looks black. but
hA 81, Kn
the thing away"
Clear it away? Isn't 1t down in
black and white in your own hand
writingT
at is all a matter of faith. If had
discovered such letter written by you
and you told me there was an explana-
ton would believe you"
Then why is the explanation not
forthcoming
at would be useless till have the
wherewithal to prove it."
81 see; the story might not fit the
proof"
Emily, you are charging me with
what is dishonorable."
NOlHitls3 W Il WOIlldI IL SOnS1N-
cred dishOnOrable by some men,"
'This is unbearable. 1 will go down
stairs till dinner. L will meet you on
the piazza"
He was passing through the Office
when he was handed some letters.
One was from his bosom friend. his
chum of years, his conf1dant. He had
no sooner read 1t than he started to
go back to his wife, but reconsidered
the matter.
How ever came" he muttered, "to
leave that letter undestroyed is a mys-
terry. l suppose my not doing so came
about in the hurry of preparation"
When his wife came down he led her
to a table set for two by a window
overlooking a lawn and garden, in the
center of which flashed fountain.
Sweetheart" he said while they
spooned their soup, ''the proof of my
innocence has unexpectedly come to
me-"
She looked up at him eagerly.
But" he continued, 1.-The case is
complicated one, and it behooves me to
be very careful about bringing the evil
dence. OF course as a lawyer know
the dangers of calling a witness with
out first establishing his character for
truth and veracity."
Don't keep me waiting"
"First you must grant that, the letter
having been found by you only this
morning, there would be no time for me
to write home and have a letter con-
cocted to cover the case"
Certainly not. Go on"
Second, 1 must give you the name of
my principal and only witness and ask
you If you would believe him.
"Of course would. Who is hep"
Lawrence Ward"
He'd do anything for you"
you are right. He'd lie for me if
no time, as you have admitted, for col
lusiOn."
For heavens sake stop all this talk
and tell me what you're coming to-
Zone moment. 1t is my custom when
have a case / am sure to win to have
bottle of champagne on ice for a cele-
bration. Waiter, bring me a wine
card"
1t was not till the young husband
saw the wine deposited beside him that
he threw n letter across the table to
his wife. She seized it and devoured
it greedily, while the husband ordered
the wine to be opened. The letter read:
In obedience to your letter stating that
you had decided not to send the MESA ge
you had written Marian J., but wished
me to tell her it's contents, went to her
and had an hours conversation with her
Women are much smarter than men about
some things. and the lady saw through
your device from the first. The hint I
threw out that you preferred her to the
girl you were to marry she secuted, mas
much as she was rich and your wife poor.
However your fear of a woman scorn-
ed" is groundless. for you have been for
some time supplanted without knowing II.
She laughingly asked me to announce her
gaGement and beg of you to waste no
more time trying to smooth over what
needs no smoothing.
However 1 consider your attempt to
haV 4 rx-fca for r1,o &c