Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-31

what was more natural than that they
should sup together? So they all got
into the Smythes' carriage and drove
down to the A There the women
went into the robing room to lay
aside their wraps, and their husbands
waited half an hour for them before
they came out When they appeared
they had laid a scheme Chats about
their children had tempted their moth
prs' hearts Their love for their own
flesh and blood had burst the bonds
that held them. and they had laid
scheme for seeing the little ones in
their cribs before going to bed them
selves.
When the supper was over Mrs. De
LanO babe Mrs. Smythe a cordial good
night and said that she would go home
in her own carriage, at the same time
looking to AIr. Smythe as much as TO
say she expected him TO be her sRva-
lier until she reached the house. y IIe
conducted her to her carriage and en-
tered it with her. Mr.. DeLano doing
the same with Mrs. Smythe.
Since both women passed through
the same experience it IS only essential
TO give that Of one. Arrived at the
Smythe residence. Mr.. Smythe left his
lady in the vestibule. entered the
Aouse. ordered the butler and the maid
- bed that they should not start a
scandal, and Mrs. DeLano went up
stairs.
Little Ollie, aged seven, had kicked
off the covers and was lying fat on HIS
back. his little round legs and arms
besides so much OF his stomach as
lay between his upper and lower pa
iamas exposed. He was sleeping as
soundly as if he had never known
sorrow. Little Louise was on her side,
her faxen hair falling over her eyes,
innocent as a cherub. The mother
dared not kiss either Of thera> for fear
Of awakening them and giving them
the pain of parting. She left them
untouched and, going TO the door, gave
them a last look. Then she burst into
a torrent Of tears. Mr. Smythe led her
downstairs. put her into her carriage
and got in beside her.
Mont" she said as soon as she
had regained something Of her equa-
nimity, 81 can't stand this any longer"
81 think my home would be more
comfortable with the mother Of my
children in it." replied Smythe.
what do you say to us all going
back 10 the position from which we
started?"
what would Lavinia say to that?"
"She and 7 agreed to such a plan
this evening"
you don't mean it,
81 assure you it is a fact"
Glow about DeLanoP'
81 don't see how he can help him
self II Lavinia insists"
VERY we'll: I'll not object TO change
Of partners if the others are agreed.
Well swap seats and let the game go
on"
The next day at the end Of a long
interview between the two women il
was decided that if both husbands
could be brought 10 their views they
would take legal steps TO return to
their own homes. 1t took some time
to bring about a conversion OF De
Lano, but he was a man of the world
and more devoted to other mems
wives than his own. SO, after all. It
didn't make much difference TO him
with what wife he lived and he pre-
ferred the mother of his own children
for his own home.
An experienced divorce lawyer was
called in to superintend the restora-
ton. He nominally put the case in
the hands of other firms, one for each
of the contestants 1t was at first de-
cided that the wives should go 10 re
side for a season in state where di-
vorces are made easy. But they would
not consent 10 leave the world of fash
ion for so. long a time After much
it was found that the way
considered most appropriate b. the
upper circles of the metropolis should
be adopted. Mr. DeLano took up
with an actress and was seen driving !
with her in Central park. Mr.. Smythe /
appeared i'm his wife's box ut the /
opera after drinking half a dozen |
quarts OF champagne and waved his T.
to a woman in one Of f.
The upper boxes who had been hired F.
% take a position there for the pur-
pose
This method was found to accord /
admirably with the condition of the |
OCoutspued on pa1a Tb{rfaep