The Calumet news., 1911-02-08
Thought She Ought
to Know
By EDITH V. ROSS
Copyright by American Press Asso-
clation. 1911.
By EDITH V. ROSS

Young Mrs. Hardenburgh was a
creature of impulse. She was not only
swayed by impulse. but would take
the most important steps without real
izing what she was doing. Decisions
that another would only make after
long deliberation she would make on
the instant.
Nevertheless Mrs. Hardenburgh was
dear little woman, kind hearted, low
able and popular with all who knew
her. The only trait that interfered
with her getting on with all the world
was that If told anything TO ones dis
advantage she would not stop TO ques-
ton the truth of the information. but
proceed at once to strike the culprlt's
name off her list.
Now, there are persons in the world
who think nothing of making troubiS
between other persons, even to the
members Of families. a woman one
day gave Mrs. Hardenburgh informa-
ton about her husbands doings which
If true would have marked him for a
very dshonorable and contemplate
person. The informer had got the
news from another, who had got II
from some one else. Her ground for
telling Mrs. Hardcnburgh of it was
that she thought she ought to know
it. 1t did not occur 10 the tale
bearer that 1t might not be true, and
If it were true ii was just the thing
of all others the guilty mans wife
should not know. Nevertheless the
above named reason IS the universal
excuse Of those persons who carry
such information.
Mrs. HardenburCh was thrown into
Mysteries by the story and, instead of
giving her husband an opportunity to
defend himself Of the charge. ran
away to her mother as fast as she
could so. Being an only child. her
mother was used to humOring her and
on this occasion gave her unbounded
sympathy. Whether the good lady
doubted the truth OF the story and in
tended later 10 pave the way to rec
onciliation does not appear For the
time being she cOmforted her child as
best she could. When the latter had
recovered her equanimity her mother
suggested that she send her husband
the reasons for her flight The young
wife did So sprinkling her note with
such words as 'perfdious," disgrace
full, "iniqutous." and the like.
When Hardenburgh returned home
in the evening and found the letter,
instead of running right around TO his
wife to explain matters he sat down
to think. 1t was certainly not pleas
ing that he had married a wife who,
when n firebrand was thrown into the
family. instead of picking it up and
tossing it back at the thrower had
proceeded to set the house aGre with
1t. If he were going TO live with his
wife II was certainly necessary that
he eliminate this trait in her, and If
he could not eliminate It it was per-
haps better that they should remain
apart.
He had for some time meditated
going to n distant city to settle long
standing matter Of business, but had
put the trip off from time 10 time on
account of having just been married.
Within an hour after his return to
his home he had announced to the serv
ants that he was going away and start |
ed for the railway station.
The young wife meanwhile was pass |
ing through the transition common TO |
all persons who act hastily. When she
had been somewhat Gained her mother |
ventured to suggest that the charge |
might not be true. To this the daugh- !
ter responded that the informer had |
no object in giving false information
and had done 1t only since she thought |
the wife ought to know it. Neverthe- /
less Mrs. Hardenburgh began to be
worried She noted the hour that her I
husband usually returned home and !
gave him time to come to her. After /
several hours had elapsed and Mr. Har-
denburgh did not appear she could not
conceal her trepidation. She gave her
mother as reason for it that she
feared something might have happened /
to him.
When 10 o'clock came and there was
no news from the culprit husband the /
butler was sent to the house to recon |
hotter He returned reporting that Mr..
Hardenburgh had gone away.
The result Of this information which |
Mrs. Hardcnburgh's friend Thought
she ought to know" opened with the |
most frightful night the young wife
ever spent. From her previous con
demnation of her husband she swung |
to the other extreme. and il rushed !
upon her with overpowering force that
the really good man who had mar
ried her could not possibly have been |