The San Francisco call., 1909-03-14
Making a Wife Pretend

pleaded with her for little tenderness and un-
selhshness, and I wound up by threatening her with
Fastening his death if she refused now to him
and show him some kindness and regard if she
did not feel it. / do not believe l convinced the
woman, but~I suppose 1 really frightened her into
doing as I asked.
Never in my life have met such unenotional
insensatc creature Her greeting of her husband
absolutely cold and without any feeling. But his
JOY to her was pitiful. l would not allow her
remain long firstly, because l afraid the excite
nlent would be too much for him. and then was
fearful lest he should notice her indifference and
spoil all the pleasure at having her there.
When she came out I calmly told her that next
time | should expect her to do better. She per-
fecty gracious about it and listened to me atten-
lively. But she again explained to without any
embarrassment that she had never cared for her
husband and she did why in the world she
should now deceive him into believing that she did
OF course if he very sick, as I said he was she
would do what she could to help him, but 1 would
really have to coach her. and she in her life had
made fuss of any one, and really did not know how
And l. had to believe her, for | am sure there has
never been another unequivocally emotion
less. think her blood must have been and her
heart ice 1t was like speaking to automaton.
So started in to train her to simulate some feeling
Imagine teaching a wife how to act toward her hus-
band! She entirely submissive suppose it was
too much trouble to revolt-and she followed out my
instructions the letter but without the least show
of any personal interest in the matter whatsoever
She stayed very long with her husband, but
would come in and give him casual kiss the hair
or eye,or check wherever it happened to light asked
him how he had slept, was there anything he wanted
and few other commonplace questions, and then
SHE would go off for the of the day shopping
tour the theatcr and not be seen again till the
time for her next visit
She did not at all ashamed OF the condition in
which she had arrived at the hotel But on that first
morning had told her sternly and positively that if
anything of the sort occurred while she was in San
Francisco should not hesitate for minute in turn
ing her over at once to the police
Joy and Content
| watched over her like hawk during the inter
views of the husband and wife prompting her
smoothing over awkward pauses arranging my scenes
with infinite and patience. And through it all
she walked calm, serene and dispassonate. Not even
his joy in her presence touched her. though to me it
pathetic.
The first time he her he did not believe she
had really come, but seemed to think it must be a
part of his deIirium But when he realized that She
truly there beside him. his wife, his Helen. that
she kissed him and talked to him. his happiness was
too great to be borne, and for the first time saw
him give way to his feelings and he cried like baby
From that minute he gave up all questionings and
doubts. and a little child in his simple. un
alloyed JOY and content
She was not with him when he died but his last
words were of her Even his death did not movo
her. She seemed in fact, relieved. and 1 suppose
she was She left the same day for Boston. giving
orders that the body be properly attended to and sent
after her
What will you say? Did I do we'll? I gave this
man few happy hours, then the strings dropped
from my hands and this puppet woman went her
way But many time I have wondered what he
came of her. Did she ever learn to live?