Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-08-16
A Wife, Ruse
[Original.]

Edward Martindale was a gentleman
OF leisure. He spent much Of his time
at his club or his clubs, for he belonged
to a number of them, the rest either in
shooting or fishing or racing horses or
some out Of door amusement. Those
who blamed him for wasting his time
could not charge him with Incidence
Or efeminacy. He volunteered for the
Span1sh-American war and came out
with an excellent record. But, the war
over, he returned to his shooting, fish
ing, horse racing and the like.
Mart1ndale had married a very love-
ly girl who had borne him three chill
dren. So far as being true to his wife
and children was concerned, he was a
model husband, but he would not stay
at home. His wife was obliged to
pass most of her time alone with her
children, while her husband was CAD
ding about. This troubled her greatly.
"Some day." she said to him omi-
nously, you may have cause to re-
greet your neglect Of me. 1 am very
lonely, and 1 may be tempted to en-
courage some one Of the men who
would be glad to be my cavalier"
wouldn't blame you a bit, my dear,
II you did"
A determined look came over the
poor woman's face that denoted a pur-
pose. And a purpose was carried out.
One afternoon Martindale came home
and found a certain man about town.,
Archibald Griffith, sitting in the IL
brary with his wife. The husband
greeted the intruder cordially, then
went upstairs, where he was soon
heard romping with the children. The
wife, who had hoped for some express
sion of jealousy, sighed. Her cavalier
soon took his leave, but at the door re-
celved a pressure of the hand and an
Invitation to come again soon.
From that time forward for a season
Griffith was a constant attendant upon
Mrs. Martindale, always receiving an
at least outward welcome from the
husband. Mrs. Martindale accepted all
Grif6th's invitations, but her conduct
excited no blame. Everybody consid-
cred that her husband was getting no
more than he deserved, and all had i'm
plicit confidence in the wife.
One morning Mrs. Martindale receiv-
ed a note from Griffith announcing that
he had suddenly been called away and
might not see her again for some time.
The note was not unwelcome, for she
had sickened Of the role she was play
Ing and didn't quite know how to end
It. AS her husband had made no COM
ment on her cavaliers attentions so he
refrained from asking what had be-
come Of him. Martindale was as much
away from home as before, and the
Wife was obliged to admit to herself
that her plan of making her husband
Jealous had signally failed.
Now, Mrs. Martindale was a deter
mined woman and vowed that she
would force her husband to show some
concern for her conduct If she had to
put herself at fault forever in his eyes.
One night when Martindale was play
Ing a game of bridge at his club a tele-
phone message came from his home
h a his wife was very i'll and he must
come home at once. He delayed so
long that another message came saying
that his wife was dying and wished to
see him before it would be too late.
he finished the game and went home.
Mrs. Martindale was in bed. She
was gasping, and her face was livid.
A physician stood by, evidently at a
loss to know what to do for her. AS
soon as she had regained her voice she
directed that every one should leave
the room except her husband. Then
she called him close to her and spoke
with apparent effort.
Ned, l have a confession to make.
You know Archie Griffith? Well, in
that affair I wronged you.'
"How?"
"Don't force me to speak the word"
"Criminally?'
The wife groaned, but said nothing.
"Ard you wanted me to know this
before you died?"
EYES," came family from the strick-
en-
"Well Bess, I'm sorry you hadn't
taken a more convenient time to tell
me. I'm behind in u game of bridge,
and 1 must go right back. Ta-ta."
The bedclothes were thrown off with
a jerk, n the sick woman stood on
the floor.
'"This is too MUCH" she cried. You
care so little for me that even that
which can alone hold US and our poo
dear little ones together is of no mo.
ment to you"
"Bess," said the imperturbable hus
band, you're the biggest liar in Amer
. lea. Do you remember the new butler
who came soon after Griffith began his
attentions? Well, l put him in to
watch you. He saw your cavalier at.
tempt to take liberties with you the
night before he left town, and you re-
PEELED him with Indignation. The next
day l gave Griffith the choice of pistols
or departure, and he chose departure"
ooh, Ned, did you really care that
much for me?"
II certainly did, sweetheart. and
more. You have done your best to
make me show my love for you, and i
shall put you to no further trouble. I