Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-09-14
EVENING STORY.
MANS WAY.
BY Lucy Clair Atkinson.
Copyright, 1912, by Associated Liter
airy Press.)

Copyright, 1912. by Associated Liter
airy Press.)
Edith Forsyth was leaving to spend
a couple of weeks at Old Point Com
fort. AS the train pulled out she
waved her dainty little handkerchief
to Fred. and in few minutes was
swiftly borne out of sight. 1t was
Edith's first separation from Fred
since their wedding. Way down in
Fred's heart there was q feeling OF
satisfaction over the idea OF return
ing for q short time to his bachelor
habits. Their little apartment, so
cosy and homelike, bespoke the
artistic temperament and ingenuity
of Edith, and Fred anticipated with
delight having his old college chum.
Arthur Wilson, come around In the
evenings to chat OF old times.
Before leaving, Edith discharged
the cook and decided that Fred could
take his meals at the restaurant
around the corner. This arrange
ment presented glowing picture to
Fred in the premises.
For the first week everything
worked smoothly. Fred wrote every
day and sent the local newspapers.
thus keeping Edith In touch with
the happenings 1t home. Meanwhile
the quietude Of the rooms began ITO
pail on Fred who missed Edith's warm
greeting and other little attentions
to which he was accustomed every
afternoon on his return. Wilson came
nearly every evening, but he, too. was
getting to be tireSome.
Fred with his cheerful disposition
was disappointed to see Wilson turn
ing cynic, which was the case during
the last few months. It did not i'm
prove his frame Of mind to see his
married friends out with their wives
at the sumner amusements the town
offered, and 1t seemed Of all their
married acquaintances that only he
and Edith we're separated at that par
ticular period.
Edith's letters were full Of the
ideal time she was having, without
the slightest mention Of returning.
The two weeks were up and 1t was
near the end OF the third. when Fred
wrote Edith he had touch of ma
laria and had had to call in the doc
tor. This brought q primpt response,
hoping that he would be entirely we'll
by the time the letter arrived. That
plea failing. Fred then wrote that the
hired girl who cleaned the apartment
had left and that Edith's most cherish
ed articles Of furniture were covered
with dust and in fact every thing was
going to rack and ruin. This brought
a reply from Edith telling him not to
worry that she would not be home for
some time and would have q general
cleaning on her return Fred was In
despair and plainly showed 1t when
Wilson dropped in that evening for
the usual chat.
"RFather down In the mouth. old
man. What's the trouble, Mrs. For
syth not sick!"
90, nothing, just little, upset with
this housekeeping business"
That's q small matter. Leave
everything alone until 1t is time for
your wife to return. can bet you,
she will be able to handle the situa-
tion," said Wilson.
Fred sat musing as he pufted the
rings Of smoke from his pipe. but
wheeling around suddenly said In al
most determined tone:
Look here, Arthur, am scorch-
ing between two fiames-my pride
and my inclination. Edith has been
away four weeks, and I just cannot
stand it any longer. You can see
four yourself the apartment Is all up
set and in nothing like the condition
It was the first week after Edith left.
Then. am tired Of myself When
YOU are not here there's nobody to
talk to, nobody to greet one, nobody
to care what old hour one chooses to
come home! When mans wife Is
away, home ceases to be home. You
may think this is all tommyrot, but
YOU get married and try It,"
"Well, why don't you write Mrs.
Forsyth to come home, or you run
down to Old Point Comfort?" sug-
gested Arthur.
That's Just the point Why, Edith
would guy me to death for not being
able to get along without her, 80
won't write for her to come home.
and can't leave until the chief clerk
gets back from his vacation"
well, why don't you frame an ex-
cuse such as illness or something OF
that kind, that will bring Mrs. For
syth homer asked Wilson.
THAT doesn't work with girl like
Edith; I've tried It,"
"WelH have exhausted myself 80
must leave you now to think way
out alone. You'll soon have Mrs.
Forsyth back in town. By-by, old
fellow"
Fred found himself meditating over
and conjuring thousand means to
use to carry his point. But none
seemed practicable. Finishing his
letter to Edith he was sealing the en-
velope when brilliant idea occurred
I to him. He would try It. There was
nothing to lose and maybe much to
gain. The daily newspaper had to be
sent. Going to the desk, Fred picked
!up pair OF scissors and in the neat
est manner possible cut out space
OF about two inches from the news
column, wrapped the paper and ad-
dressed 1t to Edith.
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