The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1906-08-23
.ASuddenC Conversion



to him that she wished her mother to
come to live with them. Frost had only
kindly feelings toward Mrs. Englehart,
but he fatty refused.
From that time his Bertha was
changed toward him. She often failed
to give him the connublal kiss when he
went to business in the morning OF on
his return. When she did 30 It was
without the previous heartiness. From
feeling kindly toward her mother he
gradually came to consider her a mon
ster who had turned his wife from him.
Certain hints as to this he dropped
from time to time did not improve
matters, and there grew up between
the couple an estrangement.
One day when the husband returned
from business he found that the blow
he had begun to dread had fallen. His
wife did not meet him at the door as
she had done always before this mat
ter had come between them, and, go
ing into the house, there was an omi-
nous silence. He called, but received
no answer. Mounting TO their bed
room, he found a note on the dresser
announcing that, since he considered
his wife's mother rot worthy to live
with them, his wife did not consider
that she ought TO live with him.
A week passed-a long, lonely, mis-
cradle week. He was at times tempt
ed to go after his wife and bring both
her and her mother back with him, but
invariably decided that II his wife
would not live with him unless he re-
ceived into the house that which would
make his life still more miserable he
had better accept the lesser evil. Be
sides. he considered that Mrs. Engle-
hart had made all the trouble, and with
each day his antagonism to her grew
more bitter. He finally made up his
mind to SO and make an effort to In
duce Bertha to return - without her
mother-and, II he failed, to give her
up entirely.
II was at the beginning Of the second
week OF Bertha's desertiOn that he took
a train and rode a hundred miles to
Mrs. Englehart's home. One evening
he was admitted to the house, to and
mother and daughter sitting together,
the mother reading, the daughter do
ing fancy work. The former looked at
him with a surprise which, to his as
constituent, was accompanied by
pleasant smile. The latter, on seeing
who the visitor was. bent her head low
over her work, but he saw the color
vanish from her face and her bosom
heave tumultuously.
why, Frank" said Mrs. Englehart,
Bertha didn't tell me you were com
ing. My children have got up sur
prise for me-" Then, noticing that
Bertha did not rise to greet her hus-
band, ahe added, Its Frank, Bertha."
But, since Bertha maintained her posi-
ton without even noticing her hus-
band, the mother added further, What
does this meanp
"It means" said Frank, that can't
live alone as am now doing any
longer. II Bertha prefers to remain
here with you l must close the house
and 20 into bachelor quarters"
Bertha" said Mrs. Englehart Eek
plain"
Bertha stlll hung her head.
'sYou didn't tell me there was trouble
botwsen you and Frank" said her
mother.
"shs dAdnrr' exclaimed Frank. Az
tpnlahed.
aNo. hhS told me she had come q
make me q visit"
MolliAed toward the supposed enemy,
Frank related the bare circumstances
preceding hAa wife'a departure.
''BerthAr' said her mother In the
same tone nho would have reprovod
her daughter when q child,
"Ha didn't act with proper cOnsid-
oration toward you. mother" said BeE'
tina. ''and wouldn't stand Il"
''whom did he marry--you or map
'Me. l suppose"
bertha. l am astonlahed an
ashamed Of you. Why have you dons
thar
II wanted you. mother. and thought
that IL came 70 you he would
'Be weak enough 70 yield to your
| To this there was no answer.
Frank" said the mother-ln-law
ogre. go upstairs and set the dust OF
Then come down. and win haTe come
supper ready for you"
Never was a dank, heavy atmoa
phere more quickly cleared away
than Frank Frost's antagonism 70
ward the supposed cause OF his iron
BILE. Stepping forward. he folded Mrs
Englehart In his arms and gave hal
q hearty kiss; then. without noticing
his wife. he left the room. He wal
standing before q mirror, brushing hi
hair. when be saw Bsrtha'a reflection
Che was standing In the door. a pic
ture OF contrltion. Turning, he eaugh
her In his aFmM
II suppose i've been very wicked,
she said In a voice 80 faint that haG