Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-30
THE EVENING STORY.
Little Mrs. Second.
Downright. 1918. by w. werner.)

Copyright. 1918. by w. werner)
Mrs. Griffin had Just begun on her
fifth pair Of stockings when the door
opened and her next door neighbor and
crony, Mrs. Ensign fairly plunged into
the room.
II didn't stop to fix my hair or any,
thing" painted Mrs. Ensign. Il came
Just as l was, for I couldn't wait an
other moment to tell You. unless you
know already" she paused interrog-
atively.
know what? For mercy's sake,
Tryphena, sit down and catch your
breath" Mrs Griffin calmly answered.
Mrs. Ensign sank down upon chair,
why. Jack Bolivar's brought home a
new wife, she said. Mrs. Griffin drop
ped the stocking and her mouth opened.
II was over in Mrs. Aliens front yard
when l saw the hack coming. 1t stop
ped before Jack Bolivar's house and
Jack got out dressed for fits. Turning
he helped out a lady. Welcome home,
my dear wife, he said. And they Went
in. So there, you see! He's been get
ting q wife while he's been away and
his first not gone over and above a
year."
We'll saidr' Mrs. Griffin exclaimed.
How did she look, Tryphena?"
"Welr'-Mrs. Ensign was not clever
at description, but this occasion war
ranted her best attempt-"let me see.
She was dark to begin with-real dark.
You could expect that. seeing Name
Bolivar was light. She was smart look
suit and a white waist with jabbit
and a blue hat She looked very smil-
ing. And she wasn't bigger than a
pint of cider. When saw her 1 said
to myself: How do you expect to hold
your own with Jack Bolivar. when a
big. stout woman like Name just gave
up and died?' Why, he could pick her
up with one hand. And he'll do it, too.
1t won't be three weeks before he'll have
her scared into the corner. the brute"
my land, my land murmured Mrs.
Griffin. She couldn't have known what
we know around here or she's never have
married him. A little woman to marry
Jack Bolivar! Shed have to be a six
footer to hold her own with him. Name
was pretty near that and just see how
she had to knuckle down to him. sThis
one won't have any show at all. 1 tell
you, Tryphena, I'm awfully sorry for
her. She's got a hard row to hoe We
neighbors must all be good to the poor
little creeter."
That's what Mrs. Allen said and
what l think. Dear, dear, I'd just as
leave give Sid Bailey's bulldog our kitten
to play with. Well. Wen have something
to watch from now on. Goodness, the
clocks striking eleven and l must go
home. My man is no kind of Jack Boil
var. but he gets drefful tetchy if his
meals amt on time. BY. Maria. Come
over"
Mrs Griffin did not rise to see her
friend to the door, but set about finish
ing her stocking.
Mrs. Griffin had always known Jack
Bolivar. She had known his first wife.
Name Bolivar had been beautiful wom-
an, big, blonde and gentle She had
married Jack because she loved him,
and her love had endured to her dying
day. No one ever knew how much she
had suffered. She had acknowledged him
as her master and as such obeyed him.
AT first in the confidence of her BRIDE
hood she had made a few Intellectual
attempts at rebellion. Latterly it had
paralyze her into submission. Other
women had pitied her. And she died
Pneumonia the doctors called it, but the
women who knew her best said to each
other that it was heart break.
She won't get along with him as
well as poor Name did, Mrs Crit
Tin said with a sigh. Name was big
enough to show him her fist If she
had even dared. l suppose she thought
If she did he'd kill her, violent tempered
as he IS | don't konw, but I've always
thought Id have risked the killing if
l had been in her place. One good blow
amt nothing like SO bad as dying by
inches. Name just stood by and watched
hum trample on her heart till it was torn
to shreds. This poor little body will do
even worse. The first time he blats out
at her she'll crumple up like burnt paper
That'u please him. I've heard him say
he wouldn't have a wife he couldn't rule
He wants her to jump every time he sets
his foot down. and she will. l guess
Two days later Mrs. Griffin and Mrs.
Ensign went to call on the new Mrs.
Bolivar.
II think" Mrs Griffin said. that we
neighbors better not wait too long before
calling. We better let the poor thing
know she's got friends even if she Is