The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-12-26

'e''oi SHERWOOD left the house nv RI.
rear door, slamming it behind him az
ne went to his duties
mat evening he had little N s.v
eltner to hts wife or Forbes prenor
Ing an examination might have A.
counted for his taciturnity-but II
didn't.
ana now several days followed In
winch the professors glum humor wa.
very marked. He scarcely looked at
Ills wlie And one who would thought
pride would have melted into tears
at such treatment She didn't. The
pioiessor noted. that II anything she
appeared more contented than ever.
She's tired of me-" was his inward
conviction. She didn't care for me
AFTER ALL" Then he grew furious
mat was no reason why a woman
good woman!-should- Ht
lett his thought unfinished.
AND now time came when he lay
VIDE awake each noon on that couch
wnere he had had so many pleasant
slestas. Furiously each day. he wait.
cd Tor that rousing smack that at
first he had puzzled over. There was
no question in his mind now as to
what 1t was. The sound had been
MED. He knew what 1t was No
w1de-awake person could mistake It,
But to think that Emily-his wife
should
iii kick that young 1ack-a-napes
out OF the house tomorrow" was a
conclusion he arrived at one day.
mat day the smack had been repeat
ed. He's too good-looking anyway.
And Emily-she's only a kid. Why
she's never had any other fellow but
me-" 1t was rather unprofessionai
talk. but II the truth must be told
the professor always did his thinking
in the vernacular. He wasn't very old
himself
The next day he spent only fleet
ing moment on the couch. He just
let them see him there. eyes closed.
Then. teeth gritted, he took his place
at the door between the dining room
and kitchen 1t was slightly ajar.
Somewhere overhead be heard the
teacher of mathematics humming
tune. In the kitchen his wife was
busily scraping the plates. The pro-
lessor felt the cold sweat Of nervous
ness on his body as he waited. To
look on at his wife's pertidty was no
Joke. In his throat he swallowed hard
at his conscience on account OF bis
eavesdropping. And yet he must
something drove him to It!
When the footballs OF Forbes de-
scending the stairs, came to him. he
clenched the door In the intensity OF
his feeling. Then just as the teacher
of mathematics reached the hall floor
that kiss reverberated loud and clear.
The professor grew rigid. The out
er door slammed Again that kiss.
This time, dignity thrown to the winds.
the professor thrust his head through
the doorway. And he was just In
time to see his wife, not more than
a foot away, kissing with whole-souled
ardour the back OF her own hand. AL
So there was no way In which she
coulc have reached the hall except oy
passing her husband
The professor gasped. The gasp
startled the wife from her self-absoro'
ing rite. Rigidly erect. she gazed al
him. But the professor was hopping
his genuinely beaded brow, and did
not see 1t. At last when he looked al
, her a ripping laugh issued from ner
, lips.
: Your sleep-made you warm. Ar
thur"
'T wasn't sleeping!" The professor
a confronted his wife with a peculiar
look. 81 haven't slept for week.
I you haven't slept for a week!
Her tone was properly surprised ano
t she laughed girlishly.
: mo, haven't"
: But thought YOU
, well. | haven't" ho interrupted
sorsously. He put out two arms ano
!. ,Iocad them on her shoulders. TO
: d.v WAS going to kick our respected
r teacher of mathematics out OF 'ne
] house" ~,
/ cureles OF laugher came from the
woman.
q .p,or innocent Mr. Forbes" she
9 beamed up at him.
n There was a moment OF Silence
+ while the professor smiled back Their
suddenly he caught her to MIN. Ane
{ low a perfect imitation OF those re
3 n NV kisses echoed through the
Q house When he finally released mel
Q # was with a low laugh OF satislac
ton. o,, ora Nell
}. vor,ve certainly put me through LIZ
9 th,rd degree" he said whimsicaiiy.
q .n,. believe I'll ever be able TO sieeI
t a aon, , without being haunted"
She pointed threatening nnser .., a
s ,,m IF you do" she biusneo' -
Il ally do it-really and truly
"What?" he laughed. N
S tossor of mathematics!
8 n ae wagged his head teasins ~
l. maybe Old Forbes "''
= you" ,red her fingers II
a