The Green Forest tribune., 1909-09-10

Je1JdIlVGly across an unCdSteu Dredk- fast. The woman was the first to ease the situation.
 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 oeen difficult, to say the least, for the most part elusive"
 And am I to infer from your words that you, so to speak, heaved a sigh of relief upon"
 Yes. You see, I 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 ab- solute arrangement I think 1 realized the month after we were married that we had made mistake. Oh, not that we haven't had many happy hours to- gether as good comrades; butt" She broke off with significant uplifting of her finely marked black brows.
 Bostwick contemplated his wife for q 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 rightully, legally, belongs to you?"
 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 carry Rita's glove about next to your heart" She finished with little hys- terical laugh.
 So 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
 "To be brief. exactly" Elsie Bost- wick's lips settled decidedly into a scarlet line above her white chin.
 The other drew a deep breath. You're a sensible little woman, girlie,' he said almost tenderly and I've been lucky to have you for 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- siyely and, coming up to the back of !, ,ic l.;
 For some unaccountable reason the blood flew up to Bostwicks 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 busied 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 and crossed the room to an open win dow. Presently he asked, without look ing around: How far has it gone be- tween you two, Elsie?"
 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. 1 have been contemplat- ing trip to Europe for long time. Business conditions have at last made 1t possible for me to gratify my whim. and at once do the firm some good service. If Rita loves me well enough to make a similar sacrifice we shall sail on the first"
 Elsie smiled approvingIy. What a practical, sensible couple they were. to be sure. It was pity all married folks could not be the same, she re. leeted. 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 a handsome man her husband was-a man any woman might be proud ot. 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 ha, be in this new, mysterious union with no remorseful thoughts to mar the perfectness of their joy; DO fears no misgivipgs
 BostwicA licked tbe dust from his coat and turned top ard the door. Bp, with his Lar d on the knob, he turned again ard came back to his wife Good ty, deaE," fe said gently, and kissed Ter Lrraisei lips.
 She watch 5d him tul the door sd closed uron lis tall Fo~ro, Then she went to the window and drew back the curtains and followed h.n witt he, eyes till he had disappeared down ,he cleaning avenue. Afterwards. she came back to tne t4b'e and dropped into chair. SLs must hava sat there an hour, for when she cara back tc herself the clock was on tha stroke ol ten. She rose triAe weariiy and went up stail to her room. But noth ing there interested her and sine passed into the den" beyond. 4 sudden in pulse seized her ard she ss: down and penned volumirous letter to Billy Car roll. Then she vecoliected that she had not been tn her husbands rooms for week; they probably needed at tention badly-the servants were SC iDdiffprpnt-aud oho hrrr;od door fbe