The Meeker herald., 1906-10-13
Hi. Friend Jessie
By BELLE MAlQATE

The house seemed strangely big and
empty to Edna a. she sat In her bou-
doir. her head buried in her hands,
trying tn grasp the conditions OF ner
position-.a young society woman who
had just instigated proceedings for
divorce. There had been no scene or
scandal The trouble had CONF. very
suddenly and quietly. Her husband,
Walter Landon, had confronted her
one evening with serious face and
the astonishing declaration that her
cousin. Billy jerome. was on alto
gethcr too familiar footing in their
household, and that she was to bestow
less time and attention upon him.
why. Walter" protested Edna. half
amused and wholly amazed. BILLY and
I have been brought Ap like brother
and sister, and had never been sepa-
rated until he went west few years
ago. couldn't get up the least senti-
nnent for him even II didn't care for
you"
But you are mot brother and sister.
and tell you frankly II maddens me
10 80 him appropriate you ~ = matter
OF courss. AID will not permit you to
drive with him n frequently ~ you
do"
Further argument followed. but
Walter was peremptory In reiterating
his commands. He left the city that
night on q business trip. and in his
absence Edna made her plans quietly
and unaiterably.
walter" she said coldly on his re-
turn, II think 1t advisable that We sep
arate. Not on Billy's account. not be-
cause he is anything to me. but be-
cause of your stand in this matter. Ny
eyes are suddenly opened to the fact
that you are unreasonably Jealous and
ncrrow-mlnded. I tell you frankly that
will not accede to any request or
command as absurd and uncalled for
az the one you made in regard to my
seeing Billy. I desire q separation at
once. A divorce can follow in due
time"
He was as astounded as she had
been at his first move. He remained
stunned for moment. Then 1t dawnod
upon him that she was indeed infatu-
ated with Billy. and taken this means
to be free.
III you desire separation" he said
In low. strange voice, You shall
have one."
She was a little startled and piqued
by his ready acquiescence.
II have thought It all over" she re-
piled. Lillian and can live here,
and you can take apartments for your
self. We can quietly begin proceedings
for divorce on the ground of incom-
patibility. have my own property,
and you can make suitable provision
for Lillian"
There Is one point" he said. ''you
have overlooked. cannot be sepa-
rated altogether from Lillian"
"Walteri As II I would put feather
between you two. She shall come to
you as often Is you DESIRE"
But" he hesitated. "In the event
Of your remarrying-"
She flushed, and averted her face.
I'm tho event of my remarrying"
she said hauGhtily. 81 will give Lillian
up to you entirely
"She Is indeed infatuated" he
t.hou6hS "AsA q p1Aop " VIC WAAAAuA w
part with her child"
The next day he moved into apart
ments. and Edna's runt came to her.
It was the time Of year when nearly
every one was out of town, and the
few who came to the house supposed
Walter to be absent on one of his fire.
quent business trips.
Two weeks. the longest ones Of
EdnA's existence. had dragged through.
and she was more wretched than she
cared to acknowledge. Even the mo-
ment Of triumph when Billy had an
uouncsd publicly the fact Of his ap-
peoachins marriage to girl out west.
and had gone to the home Of his future
bride. did not bring her the enjoyment
the had expected to feel In witnessing
Waltsr's chagrin.
A., she cat alone In her boudoir
poSAeftaS ovee,the .estrangemsat, she
AAard the pattss Of little steps In the
eSL and sAs lifted har head sxpsstAnt-