River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-06-12

l
Brent. We were married two years
ago. A year ago we decided to get
this little house, and then, under the
| pretext of making more money to put
into it, he began staying away from
home. At first l believed he was
working, but the advance in the
money he has been making does not
show it. At least, Mama, who has
lived with us ever since we were mar
ried, just came to me and told me the
truth. 1t just hurt her heart so to
see how l was being treated that she
had to do it. She showed me how
| Brent must be making q lot more
money than he had been turning in,
and certainly If he has-what on
earth has he been doing with it?'
"'You suspect another woman,
then?' / asked.
1 certainly do she answered with
a snap, and so does Mama
Il could have known that last with
out her telling me- l was beginning
| to see through a few things. Mama
on one side, friends on the other. Both
|
had no right. The poor little couple
hadn't even had chance to become
! good comrades. And, as / left the
| house, / resolved that for once in my
| life | was going to serve two clients
in the same case, and for their bene-
| fit.
"The next afternoon | went to Mr..
/ with q
ticket on one of the fastest trains out
of Chicago, and stateroom reserva-
ton. / handed them both to him.
| "T am sorry that cannot give you
any information as to what the pur-
pose of this is-except to tell you it
will show you the standing of your
wife toward you. You are to take this
train tomorrow afternoon and stay in
| the smoking compartment until after
we pass Joliet. Then you are to go
to your stateroom and remain there.
Will you take my orders?'
Certainly, he answered, but
can't understand
al am doing the detective work in
this case l answered him.. You de-
|
get it if you will let me have my way.
If not give up the case very cheer
fully
He held up a restraining hand.
"T'll obey your ORDERS he an
swered with a little smile:
Very WE'LL l said as 1 left the
office. Say nothing of this to your
wife and do not even tell her that you
are going out of town. You will hear
from me at st. Louis or sooner. Good
day
Il left him then and hurried for a
car which would take me to the home
of Mrs. Douglas. Her mother met me
at the door.
is it anything regarding the case?'
she asked, and l thought l detected a
bit of eagerness in her tone. Poor
soul, she believed she was doing right
in separating a husband and wiSe.
| don't believe there was ever a mother
who didn't believe that she was work
ing for the best. But she just didn't
realize that she was bit selfish in
her love for her daughter and that the
else another claim also.
Yes l answered her, it is about
the case want to see Mrs Douglas
! personally
Ten minutes later l was alone
with the little girl. l took from my
pocket a railroad ticket and a state
room reservation.
Here l said, 4 have found the
way to get some evidence as regards
your husband. The moment he leaves
the house tomorrow morning, hurry
for train and go to Joliet. Then, in
the afternoon, take the flyer and go
right to your stateroom. | want no
one on the train to see you, if possible.
Do you understand
mo- she answered frankly
"'You will later | told her. I will
see that you have more information by
the time you reach st. Louis. Now,
believe you will do as you say
u WILL she conceded, and l left
her 70 go to my apartment, snuggle
my little kiddie up against my breast,
and spend more than one hour in plan
ming ahead and smiling to myself.
Whats the matter, Mama?' Baby
asked me. What do you see that's
funny?'
"A lot of things, Honey l muir
INJURED, Just whole lot of things
The next afternoon at 5 o'clock,
boarded the train for ST. Louis and as
walked past the smoking compart-
neDt Of the Pullman I took a mack
within Then l smiled. A man was
within, smoking and apparently nerv-
Gus. At least a part of my scheme
had worked One by one the people
entered, until every berth was full. I
CHANGED to take peek within the
stateroom-just an accidental opening
of the door, you know-and laughed to
myself as | saw that the porter had
done the work | had bribed him to
do. There was a grin on his black
face when | passed him in the pas
sageway and he bowed his head.
"'Ah's done got everything ar
ranged he said.
"'Shh-h-hl / warned him hastily.
We were near the smoking compart-
ment.
For an hour nothing happened. My
seat was near the smoker end of the
car and my eyes were continually on
the passageway, for l was fearful that
he would tire of his job of staying
within the compartment. But he
obeyed my orders.
Joliet called the porter and