Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-01-23
DAILY. STORY
PLAYING ATRUMP CARD.
lorSinal.l

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ever since we've been married."
1.-The honeymoon aEd a fortnight"
IF that brief period has fallen so
heavily upon me, what would a life
time of such misery be?"
Pretty gIum prospect isn't itT'
"A frightful prospect fer 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 goingaaway"
"Where:"
Abroad. Mother is going with me-"
You've got it all arranged
Il haven't said anything to- mother
about it yet, but I'm sure she'll2gs"
very well. I'll stay at home"
| "Home! A nice name for til Blue
beard house would be u better one.1
do you mean by that that 1 am to
bring in another wife,"
You'll have to get a divorce first" +
81 shall be in no hurry for that, but
1 must have some one to keep house
| for me-" \
Your Aunt Harriet would do very
we'll"
THANK you, no. To live with Aunt
| Harriet would be worse than
Another insult
living alone. 1 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"
"Whom?"
Il can't see what interest it is to
-pu to know, but since you are curious
I don't mind saying that 1 refer to
Mrs. Beardslee."
Mrs. Beardsleer'
shes been very unfortunate-mar-
ried but year when she lost her hus-
band. and her father failed. 1 under
stand she's looking for a situation as
companion for some old lady"
do you call yourself an old lady?"
"Oh, no, only an old fool Mrs
Beardslee. you know, before my mar
rIage with you
''Oh. yes, 1 know very well the eff
forts she made to get you
warned me against matrimony.
She had hard time of it, poor woman,
with a husband who drank"
"And she accused me of drinking?"
hotly-
''No; at the time she didn't know
that / was engaged to you. If you |
leave me, 1 know of no one l would |
rely upon for companionship-shes a |
splendid housekeeper - except Mrs. |
Beardslee."
IF you have no regard for your own |
good name. 1 insist that you should |
have some for mine. For you to bring |
an old flame into your house would |
make a frightful scandal
"It will not trouble me, and, as for |
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 n pound of cure. The lady |
was staggered.
That's when they are divorced" she |
said.
"a divorce would necessarily follow
in time. It's great drawback in ev-
cry way for n couple to be married and
live apart
"And you would marry your old
fame?"
''Since that pertains to me at pc
riod after our separation 1 must de-
cline TO take you into my confidence"
"Why not shut up the house-yOu so
in one direction, 1 in another"
What advantage would there be in
that?"
You wouldn't need housekeeper."
I'm content here. L have no desire
to leave my comfortable home"
Il see how it is. You're trying to get
me out so that you can get that horrid
Mrs. Beardslee in my place"
She put her handkerchief to her eyes;
but, depressing her tears, she nerved
herself to appear Indifferent.
when do you goY' he asked with
out noticing her remark.
Il shall consult my own conven-
fence. I'm not going to be turned out
of house and home till get ready, and
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 come
quick enough
'Then 1 understand that you will not
go?"
mo, I WON'T
"And you are disposed to stand my
brutality for lifetime?'