Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1914-04-24
DIDN'T KNOW DAVID
Betty's Advice Of Little Value to
Wife Who Took Time for
Second Thought.

For months Helen had reasoned the
matter In her mind until she had fully
decided she was q much-neglected per.
son: that her marriage was failure,
and that she should leave David. 1T
was a great mistake to marry man
SO much older than myself" she
mused. II should have known better.
Poor staid David! Ill leave him to his
Preside and slippers. I'm going back
to the world of gaiety, where l belong.
Ill not be old before my time. It's not
right that l should! He will take 1t
dreadfully hard. Poor fellow! He
does care worlds for me in his quiet
way, but l crave more expressive
love, and l shall have it yet! Tonight
I'll tell David how unhappy l am
and that wish a final separation. Oh,
dear, how dread 1t all! The publicity!
The unjust criticism! But l suppose
| must live through II somehow. All, II
only mother were living. She would
understand and sympathize with me.
l have no one to whom can 60, unless
1t would be Elizabeth. Yes, I think
could confide in Betty. She has al.
ways been my best friend; but will
she understand? She has her idea OF
right. I fear she will try to impress
me with the serious nature OF the mat
ter. as If l had not thought it over q
thousand times! And she'll point out
all David's good points-yes, he has
good points, I'll admit; every one has;
but must tell some one. or shall be-
come distracted.
Betty, dear, l know it is queer
time to call, but I just had to come. l
must confide in some one. I'm wor-
rfed sick. I-I-you may have guessed
that my married life has not been
not been-quite happy, Betty. David
doesn't quite understand my-my ma
ture. l mean-I--I-oh, dear, l can't
Il must get a."
Don't distress yourself, dear child;
come sit by me, and we'll have it out
Don't cry, dear; Of course he doesn't
understand you. ! have feared for
some time that you were unhappy, you
poor dear; no, no, don't exert yourself;
I understand perfectly. know David
does not appreciate you as he should;
you are so young and beautiful, while
he is old and staid; indeed. he Is not
your equal in any sense; he is"
"Oh. Betty; David is far superior to
me intellectually; why. he is .
scholar!"
Yes, OF course, dear; III grant all
that, but he IL cut-and.dried speci-
men of man who Graves dark corners
and musty books, while you need sun
shine and life; why. just yesterday
Mrs. Anderson said she never could
understand whatever attracted you to
David stariiper. and. frankly, have
wondered, too, sometimes. Helen. dear.
did you ever think of It! There b .
way for you to get freedom; why
why not get Z separation!
Separation! Why, Elizabeth Deer
ing, how dare you mention such q
lthing!' I thought you were my friend.
supposed you had ideas of'risht and
honor. David is ono Of the best OF men.
very kind in his way, and he u bril-
liant! He Is president Of the largest
literary club in this city, and men
come from everywhere to get his opin-
ION OF things. OF course, he 10 some
what reserved In his manner, but I'm
sure I'd rather have him that way than
like Mrs. Anderson's husband; have
always thought him about as destitute
OF brains as a doll No, NO. Elizabeth:
I'm not offended; not at all; l know
YOU mean well, but you don't quite I'M
derstand, that's all. You really don't
know David. Come out next Thurs
day; it will be our second wedding an
niversary, and shall have royal
dinner to celebrate the event"
= - 80
We'll, certainly am disappointed
in Betty" Helen told herself on the
way home. "She lacks good Judgment,
To think OF her suggesting separation!
Why, the idea is prerosterous!"-Phil.
adelphia North American.