The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1908-04-11
THE WIFE WOMAN
Copyright. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
By TIM THRIFT


1t was q rainy evening. but to the
solitary diner at Finley's the mood
Of the night mattered little. The place
and tho hour were the potential things.
This was the eve OF decision and
Nature could not balance the scales
for him with either smiles or tears.
His eyes watched the entrance OF
the restaurant. She seemed to emerge
from the shadows and glide toward
him almost as though she were part
Of them.
The Goddess Girl he had called her.
half In Jest, when circumstances had
crossed their paths six months be-
fore. It pleased his fancy to think OF
her thus; she was SO essentially all
that goddess was not.
Had he been a man about town. as
70 many Of those he knew, he doubted
not that they might have met and
parted as do wayfarers In fog, bearing
only . hazy remembrance of face
and voice Of the world. but that sort
of thing had never appealed to him.
Not that he was saint among men
there was home and one who waited
him there-but his nature was merely
passive to emotion. From the time
that he had spurred himself to mar
riage and found It disallusioning he
had never needed the curb. 1t pleased
him to toy with life: never to take 1t
quite seriously.
I'm sorry II I've kept you waiting.
she said. There was blockade on
the L."
The man nodded abstractedly. He
was dealing with the phases of a pos
sibility and 80 was scarcely conscious
OF her words.
What will you have? You look
tired tonight" he said when he spoke.
with a lack-interest voice.
Il don't care for much-dear." she
replied softly. and he gave light or
der for her.
"Dear"-in the way 1t was spoken
the word had a sharp significance for
him. Again he took up the problem.
He had been playing with fire. as
children and men sometimes will. and
the realization Of 1t was waking his
brain to q new activity.
1t was quite characteristic of him
that he reached his decision quickly
and announced 1t abruptly. His way
was often brutal. without his knowing
how much SO.
II shall not see you again after to-
night"
The woman Strengthened curiously.
as though she had taken the shock OF
an unseen blow. A flame Of color
slowly mounted her cheeks and then
receded. leaving them white again.
We have been drifting in a very
pleasant current, and 1t has carried US
far from conventional shores. 1t is
better that we part now rather than
drift on in company and before many
days come to the breakers. the whirl-
pool and the rocks" He attempted to
make his tone light.
And, more than this, there is the
other woman-my wife. She has be-
lieved in me, even though she has not
given me love. 1t is not right that
we should continue to disregard her.
1t has been pleasant-this friendship"
he searched for the word-"but 1t
has closed our eyes to many things
that are vital" He paused.
The woman gave weary little ges-
ture. why not be sincere" she said;
.you are tired of your playthings."
The man gazed at nothing. Per
haps," he said abstractedly.
But sometimes playthings-human
playthings-learn to care for those
who play with them" she pressed.
! And when they do" he paused.
She leaned forward and searched his
face before she took up the gauntlet
he had thrown.
1T means everything" she hazarded.
Fl could make you happier than you
know. I would give you my days and
my life. would be devoted COM
rade, q woman who met your every
mood. Sympathetic when you wanted
sympathy. tender when you wanted
tsnderness. gay when you wanted