The Washington times., 1907-01-08
Spokane Pair Seeking a
Higher Ideal, Part for
Limited Period.
Trial-Marriage Idea of Mrs.
Parsons Inspired Them
to Act.
AT End of Time Set They
VIII Either Reunite or
Divorce.

SPOKANE. Wash, Jan. s.-Trial d.
v0roe is the lateEt matrimonial adveh-
ture just announced here by Mrs.
Corlnne Rider-Kelsey, who, with her
husband, has been living in this city
for ten years. Although mystided at
flrst as 10 the exact meaning OF the
term, the social circles in which the
couple moved were Interested imme-
diately and eagerly sought light on the
subject. AZ a reception the other night
q enc OF the most fashionable homes
here Mrs. Kelsey set forth in detail the
plan Of herself and husband and the
motives that have actuated them.
The project Of trial marriage, as ad-
vocated by Mrs. Herbert Parsons. OF
New York. 10 appears, first put the
idea OF thai divorce ifao the heads Of
the Kelseys. Both assure their friends
that no serious domestic jars gave
them the inspiration. On the contrary,
they assert that their ten years OF mar
ried life have been much happier than
most couples have experienced in a
like period.
Might Have Been Happier.
But Mr.. and Mrs. Kelsey are some
thing OF idealists. Smoothly as they
declare their matrimonial ship has
sailed, they do not deny that what each
regards the state OF perfect wedlock
has not been attained. In a word. they
say they have been happy but might
have been happier. They 50 even fur
Their and say they have not been as hap
by as they should be by the high stand
ard OF welded bliss they set up.
Therefore, when AIRS. Herbert Par
sons came along with her proposal OF
trial marriage as a means TO conjugal
joys, or a pauacea for cOnjugal MS.
Mrs. Kelsey was struck with Il. There
rose 10 her mind the possibilities IL
held II given a converse application
trial divorce. The thought grew upon
her. as she went over the manX points
IA which she and her husband had
missed what seemed 10 her the higher
matrimonial ideal.
Agreed to Trial Divorce.
One evening she told her husband
what was on her mind. To her amaze
ment. but also delight. she found that
he had been thinking along the same
line. Then they made frank compari-
son OF notes. They agreed that this.
that, or the other thing had made them
far from the ideal couple that they
should be. They agreed. too. that II
u as d question: WltLlEE the married or
the single state was better for either
They were IN perfect accord, also, that
the question could never be answered
until they returned 20 single blessed
ness.
Then It was that, by what Mrs. Kel-
sey termed playflilly spontaneous
combustion" they made a mutual pro-
posal OF trial divorce. At this point In
her narrative the guests gasped, but
waited with keen ears for the rest.
a. aHn "a
went on I'VE have agreed 20 give our
conviction practical effect. We have
separated just as completely as II Il
were done under a court decree. But
unlike a court decree. It VIII be for a
limited or provisional period. We have
made Il one year. with the privilege OF
more. II at the end OF that time we
think the experiment has not had a fair
triRl.
VIII Then Compare Notes.
at the end OF the provisional period
we shall come together. report to each
other our feelings and convictions.
grown out OF the experiment Of separa-
ton. II we decide TO resume the marital
relation We shall do So II not we shall
seek divorce IN a court OF law. Simple
enough. Isn't it?"
For an instant there was no answer
from the men and women who had
listened breathlessly. But In a se-ond
or two they were all talking at once
deuouneing for the most part the idea
or trial divorce This did not cause
Mrs. Kelsey TO weaken without irving
TO answer any OF the arguments. she
reiterated her determination TO 20 an
With the experiment. Needless 10 saw
u win be watched with the greatest in
terest by the couples friends. as well
as the lawyers, who see in the new
Idea a danger threatening their In
comes-