The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-08-22
HER LImLE JOKE

Nlle - SELDOM OF long OuEauOn. II
fades almost as soon as 1t Is born, and |
IL 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 a trihing occur
renee"
These words occurred in the latest
Fex novel, called Man the Devourer."
II wonder II the authorizes Is right"
said Mrs. Jermyn. II wonder II hus-
bands are really as Indifferent as she
represents. don't think Herbert
would take things very easily IL he
come home one evening and found me
gone with a handsomer man. Still,
one never knows"
AS she sat thinking a visitor was an
nounced. II proved to be Mrs. Par
fridge. frivolous young widow, who
had been school friend Of Mrs. Jsr-
myn In days gone by.
All. Oracle. how are you? So glad
you've come" cried pretty little Mrs
Iermyn, rising to greet her visitor.
I'm aT:ully bored this afternoon, and
ehls 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
nowT'
"Oh. that book which every one is
running down and which every one is
rending. Man the Devourer.' There is
one passage in 1t that has just struck
me rs being absurdly cynical. Listen"
She read out the lines to Mrs. Par
fridge, who listened carelessly.
TITS true enough" said the young
widow-"Only too true"
"Oh, Oracle. how can you? I'm sure
there are just as many husbands who
would be awfully upset and grieved as
husbands VITO would be Indifferent.
Why Herbert. I know. would be quite
distracted"
"Why don't you put him to the testT"
asked the other woman suddenly. "on-
Iy as a Joke, of course"
"Whatever do you meanT
''Why, write out n note saying that
you have left him forever, put 1t 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. Jermyu thought moment
"It would be good fun" she said,
"but II seems a shame, doesn't it2"
"Not at all, Now, IL you hesitate in
this manner shall say that you are
afraid to put Mr.. Jermyn to the test"
: Pm nothing of the Sort" retorted
the young wife hotly. How dare you
say sof Well, just to show you that
am not afraid will act ON your sug-
gestion. What's more, I'll do 1t at
once"
"BravoF' cried the other. clapplng
her hands. "What funy"
"Funl Won't Herbert look blue
But / must be quick now II I'm going
to play this trick. for. see. It's nearly 3
and no reaches home punctually at q
quarter past"
She sat down at the writing table
and quickly penned the following:
. My Dear Herbert-I leave this little let
ter 70 tell you that shall never see yov
] again. ! do not ask you to forgive me
. but try to forget as soon az possible
your errtng wife. l will not pain you by
going into the reasons for my night, and
/ no good could be done by such explana
ton. do not ask you to forgive me, bu
try 20 forget me as noon as possible,
4 MAUDE.
Mrs. Partridge ON hearing the mote
burst into an uncomfortable at OF
. laughter.
upon my word, Maude," she said
''you're quite a 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 II In an envelope and direct 1t Il
him"
o So the letter was accordingly inclos
: Cd and directed to Herbert Jermyn
) ESQ.," and left on the mantelpieee.
The sound of a latchkey In the doc
warned the two women that they mus
q disappear. and they accordingly betool
9 themselves behind the heavy curtains
at the rear of the room.
. Then they waited for what vas +
4 come.
4 Herbert JeFmyn entered the room
4 looking worn and tired. Business ha,
: gone awry with him during the day
He was jaded and haggard. Through
out the long and weary city hours hi
wife's sweet face had haunted him
u and now he was disappointed ON reach
3 Ing home not to find her there.
u where's Mauder he mutteret
|. ''She's usually waiting for me when
IA come home. Hello, what's thatP
!. Hls eye had caught sight of the lei
ter ON the mantelpieee With a quic
movement he took II down and tor
open the envelope.
= One hurried glance he gave. one or
= he uttered ana then fell to the groun
stone dead.
The doctor hastily summoned. PR
" lak -