Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-08-03
GoiingAway

SSAA6'
girl walked past wearing bunch of
sweet peas in her belt Instantly
Mrs. Minton realized that she was
nomesick for the garden and the
Dlrds that had been hers every year
OF her life until this year, and she
decided she would go see the gar
den and the birds and the dear own
people she had not seen since her
wedding day.
In the course of the day Mrs Min
ton wavered several times in her in
tentlon, thinking of her husband; who
would care for Jack during her alb
sence? She found herself wiping
tear away at the vision she conjured
up OF her husband coming into the ST.
lent apartment to spend interminable,
lonely evenings without her. Still,
she could talk to him on the long dis
lance telephone and she would only
stay away two days at the most.
When Minton came home to dinner,
his wife hroaehed the subject that had
been uppermost in her heart all day.
Go by all means Minton answered
cheerfully. I've been surprised that
you've stuck it out as long as you
have, Bess. 1t must be lonesome for
you here. At home, there was always
one or another dropping in to see
you. When will you go?"
But you will be lonely without me,
dear" Mrs. Minton said TREMENDOUSLY,
looking across the table with sweet,
troubled eyes.
Not bit of it," Minton said reas-
suringly. 'Tll look up some of my old
friends that l haven't seen since
was married"
There was a moments silence, then
Mrs. Minton said slowly: I've heard
people joke about husbands being anx-
ious to have their wives go away so
they might have good time but I'm
not in the least jealous of you, Jack,
| made up my mind when we were
married that l never, never would
be jealous. While I'm away, I want
you to go around and have a perfect
ly splendid time You know I'm
woman of my word, and | mean what
| say when | tell you I'm not jealous.
You must go and see all your old
friends, and the more you enjoy your
self the less regret l shall feel at
leaving you alone"
TN have a great time" Minton
laughed. But don't look so tragic
about it, Bess. Maybe I'll go out and
maybe I'll stay at home. Whichever
do, you can be certain I'm thinking
OF you and wishing you back; yet,
at the same time, hoping that you'll
stay as long as you feel like it, and
that you are enjoying yourself"
This loverlike speech caused Mrs.
Minton to take heart.
The next day, before she left home,
she pinned tender little note on her
husbands pillow. inserted second in
the book he was reading and slipped
third into the pocket of his hoIse
coat. Then she buried her face for
moment in the coat, and with one
last, lingering look, left the house.
When seated in the elevated train
her attention was attracted in two
women who took seats near her The
elder a woman in tan. observed as
she sank into the seat nearest the
window:
Dick called up before | left home.
He's going to bring Jack Minton to
dinner tonight. Mrs. Minton has gone
home to see her folks. never met
her-I was out of town when she gave
her at home-but have my opinion
of new wife who will forsake her
husband so soon after their wedding"
Poor little thing! It's the most
natural thing in the world for her to
want to run home and see her moth
en-" laughed the other She must
be lonely here in the city
Jack won't be lonely while she's
away" the other said Phyllis Bart
lett is visiting next door, and she's
coming to dine with us tonight Jack
used to be awfully attentive to Phyllis,
and she thinks he's about the"
Mrs. Minton felt that she could list
en- to no more. When the train
stopped she grabbed her valse and
rushed out.
Minton dined with his friends that
evening, escorted his old sweetheart
home, and then went on his way won
dering why every other woman
seemed SO unattractiye compared with
his wife. He let himself into the
apartment with his latchkey, turned
on the electric light and gasped at
sight of crumpled up little figure
asleep on the lounge. In moment,
he was beside his wife.
'Bess, wake up! What's the mat
ter? Are you sick?"
Mrs. Minton opened two heavy, tear
stained eyes. I'm glad you've come,
Jack" she said. Have you had
good time?"
First class. But what
with old friends?"
Jack nodded his head But what
-
Not any one you could ever care
for more than you do for me?"