The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1907-02-21
Playing a Trump Card
(Original.l

1.-THE honeymoon and fortnight.
eff that brief period has fallen so
heavily upon me, what would a life
time of such misery beV'
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 a very imperfect hus-
band?"
mo, do not I'm going away
"Where?"
Abroad. Mother is going with me-"
you've got it all arranged"
ST haven't said anything to mother
about it yet, but I'm sure she'll 60"
Every well. I'll stay at home"
"Home! A nice name for it! Blue
beard house would be better one"
"Do you mean by that that l am to
bring in another wife,"
you'll have to get divorce first
'I shall be in. no hurry for that, but
/ 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 l must have some
one who will be companionable, to be
here when | come home for dinner, to
speak word to me when l 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"
81 have one already in mind"
"Whom?"
"I can't see what interest it is to
you to know, but since you are curious
I don't mind saying that l refer to
Mrs. Beardslee"
Mrs Beardsleer'
"She's been very MOUNTAINEERING
ried but a year when she lost her hus-
band, and her father failed l under
stand she's looking for 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
riage 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 drinkingT'
holly.
mo; at the time she didn't know
that I was engaged to you. If you
leave me, I know Of no one I would
rely upon for companionship-she's
splendid housekeeper = except Mrs
Beardslee."
eff you have no regard for your own
good name, I insist that you should
have some for mine. For you to bring
an old fame into your house would
make a frightful scandal"
ut 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 a pound of cure. The lady
was staggered.
'That's when they are divorced" she
said.
"a divorce would necessarily follow
in time It's a great drawback in ev-
cry way for a couple to be married and
live apart"
'And you would marry your old
flame?'
"Since that pertains to me at a pc
Rod after our separation / must de-
cline to take you into my confidence"
'Why not shut up the house-you go
in one direction, in anotherW
"What advantage would there be in
that?'
You wouldn't need housekeeper."
'Tm content here. have no desire
TO leave my comfortable home"
u 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.
g. "When do you go?' he asked with
out noticing her remark.
II shall consult my own conven-
ience I'm not going to be turned out
of house and home till I get ready and
if it is for the purpose Of making room
for your old fame shall not go at all"
''If you go, l shall certainly get Mrs.
Beardslee to keep house for me, if
cam
"Oh, never fear for that. She'll come
quick enough"
''Then l understand that you will not
go?
"No, l WON'T
"And you are disposed to stand my
brutality for lifetime?'
For ages rather than have that wo-