The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-03-06
Playing a Trump Card

'aThere is no use trying any longer.
rye stood your inhuman treatment
ever since we've been married.
.sThe honeymoon and fortnight
.If that brief period has fallen SO
heavily upon me. what would a life
time of such misery be?"
pretty glum prospect. isn't it?'
"a frightful prospect for me"
"You have a pleasant home, plenty
of servants, an excellent position in so
ciety. Don't you think these should
make amends for very imperfect hus-
band?"
mo. ! do not. I'm going away"
"Where?"
"Abroad. Mother is going with me-
"You've got it all arranged
81 haven't said anything to mother
about it yet, but I'm sure she'll 60
every well. III stay at home"
"Home! A nice name for it! Blue
beard house would be better one"
do you mean by that that am to
bring in another wife,
you'll have to get divorce first
II shall be in no hurry for that. but
I must have some one to keep house
for me-"
"Your Aunt Harriet would do very
well'
THANK you, no. TO live with Aunt
Harriet would be worse than
"Another insult
-"living alone I must have some
one who will be companionable, to be
here when l come home for dinner. to
speak a word to me when come in
from the club before going to bed
in short, to make the house as cheer
full as it can be made while the wife Is
away"
"You seem to consider it an easy
matter to find such a person"
II have one already in mind"
"Whom2'
II can't see what interest It Is to
you to know. but since you are curious
don't mind saying that l refer to
Mrs. Beardslee."
Mrs. Beardsleev'
"She's been very unfortunate-mar-
ried but a year when she lost her bus.
band, and her father failed. I under
stand she's looking for a situation as
companion for some old lady,"
do you call yourself an old lady"
ooh, no, only an old fool. Mrs
Beardslee, you know. before my mar.
| rage with YOU
"Oh, yes, l know very well the eff.
forts she made to get you"
-"warned me against matrimony
She had a hard time OF it, poor woman
with a husband who drank
! And she accused ME Of drinking?
| holly.
mo; at the time she didn't know
that l was engaged to you. If you
i leave me, l know of no one l would
rely upon for companionship-she's
splendid housekeeper - except Mrs
Beardslee."
IF you have no regard for your OWL
i good name, l insist that you should
have some for mine. For you to bring
an old fame into your house would
make frightful scandal"
ut will not trouble rae, and, as fol
you, you must remember that when &
couple separates neither has any con
troll over the acts of the other"
This was an ounce Of prevention in
stead of pound Of cure. The lady
was staggered.
That's when they are divorced" sh'
said.
"a divorce would necessarily follow
in time It's great drawback in ev
cry way for a couple to be married ant
live apart"
"And you would marry your oil
flame?"
"Since that pertains to me at pc
Rod after our separation l must de
cline to take you into my confidence.
"Why not shut up the house-you g
in one direction, in another"
"What advantage would there be il
that?"
"You wouldn't need housekeeper."
"I'm content here. | have no desir
to leave my comfortable home"
Il see how it is. You're trying to &c
me out so that you can get that horri'
Mrs. Beardslee in my place"
She put her handkerchief to her eyes
but. REFRESHING her tears, she nerves
herself to appear Indifferent.
when do you go?' be asked with
out noticing her remark.
Il shall consult my own conven
fence. I'm not going to I've turned on
of house and home till l get ready, AM
if it is for the purpose of making room
for your old flame shall not go at all
If you go, shall certainly get Mrs
Beardslee to keep house for me. if
can"
"Oh, never fear for that. She'll com
quick enough"
Then understand that you will no
go?'