Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-01-25
A CHRISTMAS
EVE DINNER,
y GRACE ETHEL WEEKS.

beck to separate. especially hard, be-
cause they had two lovely children,
boy and girl, aged eight and six.
They agreed to leave the legal steps
in the hands Of Tom Forrest, lawyer,
| who was a friend of both. Having
heard the story Of each, he recon-
mended that the husband leave his
wife for awhile and she could then
obtain divorce on the ground Of de-
aertion.
After an interval of six months, on
the 23d of December the attorney mott
fed his clients that their enforcement
was about to come to a head and that
owing to division OF property that
had been agreed upon meeting was
necessary. He summoned them to
meet at the home they had occupied
the next evening at 8 o'clock.
The couple arrived within a few
minutes of each other. They were met
at the door and ushered into the L.
brary by the lawyer. II was cheer
Jiess day-clouds. chill and snow-but a
bright wood fire burned OH the hearth.
For this forethought and provision the
| Whitbecks mutely commended their
friend the attorney. Mr.. Forrest said
to them:
"This is probably your last meeting
as husband and wife,"
He then read an agreement he had
drawn up. Then he began to get the
documents together for signature. He
looked for one be did not find.
THAT'S bad" he said. Zone of the
most important papers Of the lot
have left at my office. fear shall
have 70 ask you to wait till 60 and
get It,"
He went out, leaving the couple to-
gether. Neither spoke for some time
Whitbeck went to the window and
looked on the dreary sight without
His wife peered at the tire.
THE house looks very comfortable
and very NATURAL" said the husband.
turning.
1T does" was the laconic reply.
Far preferable to bachelors
room In bachelors apartments"
"or one In hotel"
: There was pause.
Il suppose this sud ending to happy
days Is largely my fault?" said Whit
beck.
Il dare say had something to do
with It." replied the wife.
Another pause.
Rather melancholy" the husband
said again. "that this is the last view
we shall take. at least together, Of our
once happy home"
VERY melancholy"
Nothing more was said for ten min
utes. Then the wife remarked that
Tom was gone long while and the
fire needed more wood. Whltbeck said
that some one must be IN charge and
ne would ring. He touched the cleo
trio button, aud who should respond
but the maid they had left there six
months before.
why, Nancy! exclaimed husband
and wife together
I'm glad to see you both back"
said the girl, smiling. "What is it,
ma'amg'
"W-w-why," she stammered, '4t's
wood"
The girl went out and brought wood.
u suppose you'll have dinner the
same time as beforeY' she said.
"Dlnnery'
"Yes'm. The tables laid now in the
dining room"
The husband and wife looked at each
other
'"The same hour, Nancy" said Whit
beck-half past g." And the maid de-
parted.
This is Toms doing" said Mr..
Whitbeck.
Il wonder what 1t all means" re-
marked Mrs. whltbeck.
ut means, sweetheart" replied her
husband. putting his arms about her,
shat we've been a pair Of nlnnles
and Tom has known II and saved u.s."
AT that moment Nancy opened the
door, to find Mr.. and Mrs. whltbeck,
who had come to sign papers for a per-
petual separation, In each others arms.
Dinners ready" she said. looking
at the ceiling.
The table was set for four. On It
was bottle Of champagne with Tom
Forests card dangling to It. On the
card was written:
Divorce be hanged. You needed a dose
o. loneliness, and | have given II to you.
l have never entered g plea for divorce
and never intended to do so.
"oh. dearg' exclaimed the wife.
How wish had brought the chill
dren"
Can't we send for themT
The door opened. and there was Tom |
Forrest. while boy and girl bound. |
ed into the room, jumped TO their "a. |
theirs neck and chung there.
Il knew you'd want them far more
than that missing paper" said Forrest
$50 | jumped into cab and went for
them"
"oh. papa" cried the boy. Il felt
you'd come home for Christmasg'
Mamma said only yesterday" the
girl added, that she wished papa
could be with us today aud tomor.