Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-10-02

fast. The woman was the first to ease
the situation.
1.-The finding of Rita Brewster's
glove in your pocket" she said pleas
antly. seemed to offer the key to the
whole situation-a situation which has
been difficult, to say the least, for the
most part elusive"
And am | to infer from your words
that you, so to speak, heaved sigh OF
relief upon"
Yes. You see, knew all along-in
an intangible sort of way. For years l
have felt the growing difference be-
tween us, the gradual sense of detach-
ment that has finally widened into abb
solutC estrangement. think | realized
the month after we were married that
we had made a mistake. Oh, not that
we haven't had many happy hours to-
gether as good comrades; but" She
broke off with a significant uplifting of
her finely marked black brows.
Bostwick contemplated his wife for
a moment of indeterminate silence. At
last he said whimsically: And what
proof have you now that Rita Brewster
has taken the place in my heart that
rightfully, legally, belongs to your"
First my woman's intuition; Sec
ond, my keen sense of penetration
third, my logic, pure and simple; and
last, and most important, the same i'm
pulse that makes me cherish Billy Car
rolls old silk handkerchief led you to
to'c oil 20
heart" She finished with little hys-
terical laugh.
80 you are quite resolved that we
have found our affinities and must give
each other up for better or for worse?"
A smile of satisfaction accompanied
the words.
ITO be brief, exactly" Elsie Bost-
wick's lips settled decidedly into a
scarlet line above her white chin.
The other drew deep breath.
You're a sensible little woman,
grille" he said almost tenderly, land
I've been lucky to have you for a chum
all these years. But it's just as you
say; there's the soul, the higher de-
mand calls to a something we have
ceased, or never have been able, to
give each other. We shall part the
best of friends and go, conscience
clear, to that other happiness"
How much better than to separate
in anger-with divorces and shotguns
and-and all the rest What a dear
you are, Teddy" And she rose impul-
sively and, coming up to the back of
his chair, bent and kissed him.
For some unaccountable reason the
blood flew up to Bostwick's temples.
But he said nothing. In a moment he
got up and pushed back his chair. He
glanced at the clock on the mantel and
compared his watch with it. Then he
picked up the paper and stood scan
ming it mechanically for several min
uteS.
Elsie busted herself with the mail,
lingering sentimentally over the close
ly-written sheets of the last she had
taken up. Bostwick, glancing toward
her suddenly, suppressed a scowl as
his eyes rested upon the familiar, bold
characters. He tossed aside his paper
| dow. Presently he asked, without look
ing around: How far has it gone be-
| tween YOU two, Elsio?"
Mrs Bostwick turned pink as she
answered: only to. this: he is going
| to South America next month and |
have promised to go with him. That
will leave you free to-Rita."
Very well. have been contemplate
ing trip to Europe FOR long time.
Business conditions have at last made
1t possible for me to crafty my within.
and at once do the firm some good
service. If Rita loves me we'll enough
to make a similar sacrifice we shall
sail on the first
Elsie smiled approvingly What a
practical, sensible couple they were, to
be sure. 1t was a pity all married
| folks could not be the same, she re.
| flected. There would be less misery
less crime, less disgrace. After all
the newspapers were chiefly to blame
They would act Quietly, conservatively
and drop out of the public eye without
ripple. She looked up at Bostwick
and smiled. He looked back at her
and smiled also. Then it came to Elsie
all at once what handsome man her
husband was-a man any woman
might be proud of. He had always
been so kind, so reasonable in his
broad, generous way. Rita Brewster
should be very happy woman
And Billy! The thought of her lover
cut across her recollection like a
flame. How happy they were going to
be in this new, mysterious union
with no remorseful thoughts to mar
the perfectness of their joy; no fears
no misgivings.
Bostwick fiicked the dust from his
coat and turned toward the door. But
with his hand on the knob, he turned
again and came back to his wife
"Good-by, dear" he said gently, and
kissed her appraised lips.
She watched him till the door had
closed upon his tall form. Then she
went to the window and drew back the