Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1906-08-31


The house seemed strangely big and
empty to Edna as she sat in her bou-
doir, her head buried in her hands,
trying to grasp the conditions OF her
position-a young society woman who
had just instigated proceedings for a
divorce. There had cen no scene or
scandal. The trouble had come very
suddenly and quietly. Her husband,
Walter Landon, had confronted her
one evening with a serious face and
the astonishing declaration that her
cousin, Billy Jerome, was on alto
gether too familiar footing in their
household, and that she was to bestow
less time and attention upon hin.
why. Walter" protested Edna, half
amused and wholly amazed, Billy and
I have been brought up like brother
and sister, and had never been sepa-
rated until he went west a few years
ago. l couldn't get up the least senti-
ment for him ever If 1 didn't care for
you"
But you are not brother and sister,
and I tell you frankly it maddens me
to see him appropriate 0 as a matter
of course, and l will not permit you to
drive with him as frequently as you
do"
Further argument followed, but
Walter was peremptory in reiterating
his commands. He left the city that
night on a business trip, and in his
absence Edna made her plans quietly
and unalterably.
Walter" she said coldly on his re-
turn, 81 think it advisable that we sep
arate. Not on Billy's account, not be-
cause. he is anything to me, but be-
of your stand in this matter. My
ayes are suddenly opened to the fact
that you are unreasonably jealous and
narrow-minded. I tell you frankly that
| will not accede to my request or
command as absurd and uncalled for
as the n o made in regard to my
seeing Billy. / desire a separation at
once. A divorce can follow in due
time" 80
He was as astounded as he had
been at his first move He remained
stunned for a moment. Then It dawned
upon him that she was indeed tnfatu-
ated with Billy. and taken this means
to be free.
"If you desire a separation" he sale
in a low, strange voice, you shall
have one"
She was a little startled and piquet
by his ready acquiescence.
; 81 have thought 1t all over" she re
piled. Lillian and I can live here
and you can take apartments for your
self. We can quietly begin proceeding
for a divorce on the ground of incom
onttAfli@x I have nu ourn - ~ vi
. and you can make suitable provision
: for Lillian" +,
! There is one point" he said, "yo'
I have overlooked. I cannot De sepa
) rated altogether from Lillian"
"Walteri As II I would put a feathe
{ between you two. She shall come t
d you as often as you desire"
r But" he hesitated. "In the even
of your remarrying-"
She flushed, and averted her face.
"In the event of my remarrying,
Z she said haughtily, 81 will give Lillia
i up to you entirely"
y "She is indeed infatuated" h
thought with a pang. Ito be willing
a part with her child"
The next day he. moved into apar
ments, and Edna's aunt came to he
1t was the time of year when near
every ore was out Of town, and IL
few who came to the house suppose
Walter TO be absent on n of his FIR
h quent business trips.
Two weeks, the longest ones
Edna's existence, had dragged throug
Land she was more wretched than 81
cared to acknowledge. Even the m
q ment of triumph when Billy had a
n nounced publicly the fact of his a
% preaching marriage to a girl out wes
y and had gone to the home of his futu
o bride, did not bring her the enjoyme
n she had expected to feel in witnessil
Walters chagrin.
d AS she sat alone In her boudc
70 pondering over the estrangement, s
> heard the patter OF little steps In t
In l haA, and she lifted Der head axp~ctar