Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1907-08-19
HER LITTLE JOKE

IL.
fades almost as soon as it is born, and
1t would be safe to say that 80 per cent
of the modern husbands would con
template the Opponents of their wives
with other men as Il trifling occur
renee"
These words occurred In the latest
sex novel. called Man the Devourer."
Il wonder if the authoress Is right"
said Mrs. Jermyn. Il wonder if hus-
bands are really as Indifferent as she
represents. l don't think Herbert
would take things very easily if he
came home one evening and found me
gone with a handsOmer man. Still,
one never knows"
AS she sat thinking visitor was an
nounced. 1t proved to be Mrs. Par
fridge, frivolous young widow, who
had been Il school friend of Mrs. Jer-
myn in days gone by.
"Ah Oracle. how are you? SO glad
you've come cried pretty little Mrs,
Jermyn, rising to greet her visitor.
I'm awfully bored this afternoon, and
this book I'm trying to get through
has quite sleepy tendency"
Mrs. Partridge smiled.
Most novels nowadays are written
to replace narcotics, | Think" she said
quickly. What is your special form
of boredom in the direction of fiction
now"
"Oh, that book which every one is
running down and which every one is
reading. Man the Devourer.' There is
one passage in it that has just struck
me rs being absurdly cynical. Listen"
She read out the lines to Mrs. Par
fridge, who listened careessly.
ITS true enough" said the young
widOw-"only too true"
ooh, Oracle, how can you? I'm sure
there are just as many husbands who
would be awfully upset and grieved as
husbands who would be Indifferent.
Why, Herbert, | know, would be quite
distracted"
why don't you put him to the test?"
asked the other woman suddenly. "On-
ly as n joke, of course"
'Whatever do you mean?"
"Why, write out q note saying that
you have left him forever, put it in a
conspicuous place on the mantelpiece
and then retire behind the curtains
and watch the effects Of the note on
him when he peruses the contents"
Mrs. Jermyn thought moment
ut would be good fun" she said,
"but it seems a shame, doesn't it?''
Not at all. Now, if you hesitate in
this manner | shall say that you are
afraid to put Mr.. Jcrmyn to the test"
I'm nothing of the sort" retorted
the young wife hotly. "How dare you
say SO? Well. just to show you that
l am not afraid l will act on your sug
gestion. What's more, I'll do it at
once
"Bravow cried the other, clapping
her hands. What fun
"Fun. Won't Herbert look blue?
But l must be quick now if I'm going
10 play this trick. for. see. it's nearly ..
and he reaches home punctually Mt
quarter past"
She sat down at the writing table
and quickly penned the following:
Ny Dear ITerbert-I leave this little let
ter to tell You that | shall never see you
again. | do not ask you to forgive me,
but try to forget as soon as possible
your erring wife. ! will not pain you by
going into the reasons for my flight and
no good could be done by such explana-
ton. / do not ask you to forgive me, but
try to forget me as soon as possible.
MAUDE.
Mrs. Partridge on hearing the note
burst into an uncomfortable fit of
laughtcr.
Upon my word, Maude," she said,
you're quite Il mistress Of the art of
letter writing. That letter Is splen-
did. 1t reads so genuine too. He's
sure to be taken in by it. Now, then.
put it in an envelope and direct it to
him.
SO the letter was accordingly inclos-
ell and directed to Herbert Jermyn,
ESQ.," and left on the mantelpiece.
The sound of latchkey in the door
warned the two women that they must
disappear. and they accordingly betook
themselves behind the heavy curtains
at the rear of the room.
Then they waited for what was to
come.
Herbert Jermyn entered the room,
looking worn and tired. Business had
gone awry with him during the day.
He was jaded and haggard. Through
out the long and weary city hours his
wifc's sweet face had haunted him,
and now he was disappointed on reach
ing home not TO find her there.
"Where's Maude:" he muttered.
"Shes usually waiting for me when
come homo. Hello, what's that?"
His eye had caught sight Of the let
ter on the mantelpece. With n quick
movement he took it down and tore
open the envelope.
One hurried glance he gave, one cry
he uttered and then fell to the ground
stone dead.
The doctor, hastily summoned, pro-
nounced that Herbert Jermyn had died
from heart disease.
"Some violent shock has doubtless
knocked him over" he said gravely.
do you know, Mrs. Jermyn, Of any
such shock having been experienced by
YOl1r huSbaDu?"