Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1908-03-20
The Strange Detective.


lOriginall
had married a wife and found that
had been mistaken in her Marriage
to me lad meant perfect accord. Perfect
accord had not been the result in my
case, and l resolved to cut the knot
that bound rue to Della by going away
from her had no intention of leay-
ing her to support herself. I would
give her the lions share Of my income
and supply any need for which this
share was inadequate. 1t was near
midnight after a quarrel that 1 came
to this decision.
Opening my front door, I went out
It was dark and uninylting. Here and
there n street lamp fickered, and an
occasional vehicle rumbled on the
pavement. Few were abroad, and to
avoid even these I turned down an
unfrequented street. Ny cheeks were
burning, and the night air could not
cool them. I took no thought as TO
where would go. Indeed, I had no
desire to go anywhere. I wished only
to walk and be alone.
heard footsteps beside me and turn
ed my head to discover who had thus
taken it upon himself to intrude upon
me. l saw no one.
"Ah, I see," 1 muttered. Its the
echo
was walking by high brick wall
and attributed what l had heard to the
sound Of my own footsteps sent back
from It. But when l passed beyond 1t
to an opening between the houses
still heard it. Again I turned to see
If any one was beside me.
This time I was surprised-indeed,
so much surprised that my attention
was drawn momentarly from my trOu-
bic. saw q figure the counterpart OF
myself. He was myself in every re-
spect except that he wore very dis
agreeable expression. l stopped and
stood still He did the same. | moved
on. He moved on too. concluded
TO speak TO him.
Where are you going?" I asked.
Where are you goingY' he replied.
81? | don't care where l go"
$50 long as you get your revenge. /
supposeT
Revenge! Revenge on whom"
Your wife"
I thought a moment. Could it be
possible that what did was influenced
by q desire to hurt Della.
MY wife will not trouble herself
about my leaving her so long as she is
provided for"
Better than that, she won't sleep
wink all night"
do you think 500"
Il know SO. 1t will serve her right.
She has treated you shamefully.'
1 had considered that Della had
treated me shamefully. but preferred
to be the only one to accuse her. Now
that this disagreeable counterpart Of
myself did so I revolted.
Can You name any one thing l
asked. irritated, lin which she has
treated me shamefully|
YES: she married you for one thing
and found you another. This caused
her to treat you badly in everything -
she disappointed in me? Why, It's
who am disappointed in her
"And you have 4 right to be. Sou
were looking for a woman with a ols-
position that nothing can rutie. You
knew that you were quick spoken and
often unjust. You wanted some one
to bear with you. You didn't get it.
NO. I didn't get it; you're right
there. But was l justified in expect
ing all that?'
You married for it. and since yon
have been disappointed You are right
in resuming your former status.
But I don't like the idea Of Della
lying awake
you have to expect that.
"That doesn't help the matter"
Better 90 back and comfort her"
"Who are you anyway? You have
been telling me that 1 should be sat
isfed with what I've got Now you
turn about and tell me to go and COM
fort her"
TT wouldn't do any good for me to
tell you who am. You wouldn't rec
ognize me any better for the telling.
But. IL you wish to know, IN your con-
science
Now I know you're lying. Con-
science doesn't go about telling people
who have done wrong that they've
done right. 1t tells them that they've
done wrong from first to last"
Ny other self chuckled. Con
seience." he said, isn't always like
that Conscience uses all sorts Of
means to right people Often he is a
detective, hunting for clew whereby
we are to be convinced Of our wrong
doing. In these cases he plays parts,
wears DISCUSSES. just like a real de-
tective. II he went at wrongdoer
Ixir and saae<s. h veslS ssesse'4sA
what would ycu advise me to dor
"Stop making fool Of yourself"
'That means?'
go home. You'll find your wife In
~ nr,A a