The daily Alaskan., 1907-05-13
CongoIafior1
lOrglnaLl

lived as long as he did. We'll l sup pose l must go over and offer the usual consolation"
 Now, there was not only a want or reason for Mrs. Cressler's going over tn offer the usual consolation" but there was a superGuity of reason why she should not do so. Mrs. CresSler had herself been Mrs. 'Chlrtenden and bv good rights should have been the widow. But she had tired of Chitteu- den. seut him OF and secured a divorce on the ground of dcsertiou. On the day the divorce was granted she had married Tim Cressler. Chittenden, who had been forced to desert one wo- man, clung to another and married her. Crcssler uas still living with Chirten- den's first wife, but report said that be was very abusive, the reports ema-- hating from bis w@fe. and if he did not mend his ways he. too, would be forced 10 desert her. Mrs. CrcsSlcr's inten- tiou was to ofTcr Mrs. Chitteudeu that kind of consolation which Satan would give soul he had pUrchOsed-that is, he would thrust 1t into hell.
 Good morning, Mrs. Chittenden. l have thought. considering what we have both been to poor Chawcey, I would come over and offer my sym pathies. Notwithstanding his faults he was too good for most women"
 He was too good for me" said the widow demurely, but I suppose he wasn't good enough for you, Mrs. CressIer. or he wouldn't have left you"
 "I was glad when I saw that you and Chauncey were getting ou so well to- gether. There was too great d gap between him aud me. Chaunccy was not a smart man."
 Ills first wife was"
 Tt isn't that was very smart" said Mrs. CrcssIer modcstly. but Chaunccy was very dull He needed a wife of very moderate intellect"
 You were fortunate in getting an other husband the day you got your divorce from the oae that deserted you" said Mrs. Ch.jyoDdeu. Maybe Instead of luck lr WAS smurtucss.
 "I didn't want poor CLauuccy 10 sul- fer from thEuEtug I'd take him oack.'
 Ut was very ItaI of you uoJ 10 make him sulrcr any longer than be did,"
 There wasn't any tsme-I hadn't been married-thaJ he wouldn't have been glad to return to his suUcr.ugs.'
 Then it must have been lucky for him that you were married
 "Wed see about that some day, only In heaven there's no marrying or giv- ing in marriage"
 How is ir in the other place: Do you think you're going to have him there:"
 "Tm not going there. Mrs. Chitten- den. nor is CbauUcay. If there's mar rylng there youn have to look out for a new husband"
 You'd have both Chauuccy and IEH Crcsslpr In heaven, only there's no more blgamy there than marriage"
 Mrs. Cresslor was not getting ahead ln the game Her thrusts were vigor' ous. but they were parried with great skill. There was one thing sue haG come over for that thus far she had nor gained-a knowledge of what funds Chlttendcu had left his widow. She had a vague nope that the law might look kindly upon her and consider her a fraction 0t that widow.
 "I hope Chauuccy left you comfort able. Mrs. Chtttendeu.' she said in z tone to intimate that she would like to get back to her purpose of offering con solariou.
 Its you hes left comfort0ble,' TO piled the other. "bccause he was notn- ing to You. He left me uncomfortable because we were everything to each other"
 "Thcy say you made a frugal wife and he left a penny or so in the bank"
 He did, and to his widow"
 There's uI.mouy due me-
 or hope you may get it." sIf it's due the law n allow it."
 "Yes. if it's due. You got your dl. gorce at noon and married at 1 o'clock There's aIImouy for one hour due you"
 "I suppose it wouldn't look well for me to come to the funeral" "Chaunccy's funeral. SO far as his first wife is concerned, occurred long ngo."
 "Of course I'd like to show my kind Iv sympathy for you The neighbors might think it queer of me to be here, but it would show them that Pm mol l malicious"
 "Oh, they know you haven't any | grrdge against me. Why should you ! have? It was I who made 1t easy for you. Chauurey was well enough satis- | fed with the desartion plan after he met me"
 1 I'm, They all know that wouldn't stand him any longer"
 "He told me he was afraid you
 gould."
 I'd have just liked to hear him say that in the flesh"
 There was a step in the back room Ehe room where Mrs. Cressler supposed 1 the corpse was lying-O mans step, and who should walk into the room but | IChauncey Chittenden.
 "Ia's a-mercyr' exclaimed Mrs. Cress-