The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1909-01-21
AN OUT OF DATE
LOVE LETTER.

copyright. 1908. by American Press Asso-
ciation.]
Tom" said my sister, With an i'm
pressfveness that denoted she had
something very important to say to
me.
What is it, MollyY"
Before you go away this time I've
something TO say to you.
Proceed"
"You have ceased TO be a lover to
your wife | don't mean you have
ceased to love her, but you've become
SO undemonstrative. When you are
away and write her she losses me your
letters to read, half the time before
she has read them herself, and they
might as well come from a business
partner. Not q word of love from be-
ginning to end If l had a husband
who wrote me that way it would
break my heart"
How do you know 1t would: You
haven't a husband"
Haven't l loverw she bristied
THAT'S different Nevertheless I'm
always grateful for any points that
will enable me to draw Edith closer
to me- To me my wife and children
are more than all the world. You
know how dear John Is to you. Null
tiply that by hundred and you'll
get some idea Of my affection for my
family
That's simply and absolutely i'm
possible"
"Goodby, sis This time III write
Edith real love letter"
l kissed her, went into the kitchen,
where Edith was baking bread, and
kissed her. too-not the usual perfume
tory marital kiss: 1 gave her one at
which she looked a trife surprised
Rugged all the children and went for
the train.
Since | came and went frequently I
was accustomed when l arrived late at
night to let myself into the back Of the
house and go to bed without waking
the rest of the family. 1 was so busy
during my absence that l hadn't writ
ten a word. On my return, which was
at night, l went to my room as usual,
mindful of my neglect and Molly's ad-
vice. In desk in my room were some
of my old love letters to Edith when
we were engaged. I read one of them,
and it occurred to me to copy it, take
it out to the post, and it would be de-
livered the next morning before break
fast. This l did and went back to bed
and to sleep, conscious of having per-
formed my full duty as loving hus-
band
The next morning l was awakened
by whistle and ring at the front door,
bell l went to the landing and looked
over. The pOstman brought my let
ter Molly received 1t and took it
into the dining room, where l could
hear the children's voices and clatter
Of dishes at the breakfast table.
heard my wife say, Read it to us,
Mol" and the reply: ''I'll do no such
thing Read it yourself" My wife's
voice was next heard reading:
Dearest, sweetest, loveliest Edith
A brief pause, at the end of which
heard a burst Of laughter from the
selfsame Edith.
I'm ashamed OF you," said Molly.
every husband should write his wife
that way"
Edith read on: Though l have been
absent from you but few days, every
moment has hung heavy on my hands.
l have counted the hours till may
fold my darling again in my arms"
Goodness gracious" exclaimed "my
darling Has he lost his senses?' A
brief pause. "Oh, heavens. He may
be sick and deliriousp'
t'No such thingw cried Molly Hes
simply showing his affection for you"
Edith read on: when morning comes
say, Another long day. and at even
ing, Another long night
"For heavens sake, something dread
full has surely happened! Where can
he be-in hospital orr
'Nonsensev' from Molly. HE is as
we'll as you or l. What Is there In the
letter to make you think he's i'll? John
writes me that Way?
Edith read on: "Of course there are
your letters 1 read them over again
and again till l can repeat them by
heart"-I haven't written him a line
then sit down and, with your sweet
words before me, reply to everything
you have written me-
There was a pause may say a
dreadful pause
'Weu, I declare. ! never before
knew that my husband was an idiot.
Oh, Molly" Tin a waiD 'can it be that
he has written this twaddle to some
other woman and sent 1t to me by mis-
take. I'll leave him! I'll be out Of
this house when he comes back"
This was followed by hysterical
sobs. Running downstairs in my night
shirt, | advanced to take my agonized
wife in my arms. She repulsed me.
Don't ever let me see your face
again, you monster"
"Why. darling, it's love letter-a
copy of one wrote you when we were