The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-08-07
HIS


&C. st"h ~ -. s. B. Hr
Did any one ever hear the like VI
that? III OK him" with a %conrentra.
tion Of energy on the word "him."
Dorothy Doane, engaged to Tom A.
mold. had called at his house to see
his mother about arrangements for the
wedding. 1t happened that Tom ami
his friend. Ned Winthrop. were In the
smoking room and unconscious Of
DorOthy's presence In tue adjoining
parlOr. She overheard her tance talk
Ing with his chum. Ned was saying:
80 you're to he swung or next
week? Poor fellow! YOuII feel like a
muzzled dog. a chained dog. a dog
with his tail between his legs. II you
smoke she'll bother you till you give II
up that she may have the money you
spend on it for hats. II you stay ut
home much Of the time she'll make
you feel what 1t Is to have II man
about the house all day. II you 80
out she'll accuse you Of leaving her t.
NOPE at home while yon are enjoying
yourself In the gay world. As for me.
she'll brook nc rivalry. She'll treeze
me out the first
Dorothy heard no more. for at this
point Tom shut the door.
The honeymoon was over. and Ned
Winthrop was invited to spend the
week end at the newly married cou-
pies country place. When Arnold in
vited him Ned tried to beg of by say
ing he had no mind to be snubled by
the bride with II view to breaking or
the last vestige OF intimacy between
himself and the husband. But Tom
urged him. and he gave in. Mrs. Ar
mole received him cordially.
Moreover she had provided a young
lady friend to meet him.
Miss Kate Rathbone had been select
ed from all of Mrs. ArnoId's acquaint-
ances as the most competent person to
make him eat his words overheard by
her before her marriage. The hearts
Miss Rathbone had smashed were like
the sands of the sea. Men had fought
over her. had mOaned over her and
grOanel over her. And now Ned had
been brought to the house in order to
be made to suffer for his structures on
wives.
The net was set Immediately. Miss
RathbOne gave Mr.. Winthrop a glance
the Of their meeting intended
to give him to understand that her
breath had been quite taken away Ey
his ApollO-like appearance. She was
Vnpu Syrnptnv,, r., knS-, "a . .3
when left alone with him on the We
randa in the moonlight turned her face
s . that the heavenly orb might rest
upon it. softened her voice to dove
like tones and used her eyes without
Mr.. Winthrop appeared ut least to be
deeply moved by his fair companion.
He was a bright man. a good CONVEX
sationalist. which with him meant to.
listen attentively. His voice was bari
tone. but he seldom used it. though
when he did it was with good effect.
For two days" ne was under the fa~.
cinations of Miss Rathhone. and when
Monday. came. being invited "a. pro.
long his visit. consented to do SO,
Mrs: Arnold was much pleased at
the way her scheme Of punishment
was progressing. Her husband was
obliged to go to the city during the
day. but returned the same after
noon. Mrs. Arnold hustled herself with
her household duties while he was alb
sent. leaving her guests to entertain
each other.
Every day it was expected that Ned
Winthrop would break down before
Kate Rathbone and beg for mercy.
There was certainly every indication
that he would. He showed plainly
that he was. about TO- drop into the
bOttOmless pit that had been dug for
him. He hung on Miss R%athhone's
every word. II she remained long in
her for her afternoon siesta he
walked about forIoin. and bis face
frightened at her appearances. Mrs.
Arnold did 10 scriple to do some
eavesdropping. hoping to hear the pro-
pOsal.
At the end OF ten days Winthrop re.
marked ruefully that his affairs in. the
city were suffering. and he must re-:
turn Mrs. Arnold urged him to re-
main. and Miss Rathbone looked un.
happy at the prospect Of his departure.
He was easily persuaded and the cam.
paign was prolonged. Rut there WAS
every indication that a capitulation
would occur at any moment. g.
On the morning of the thirteenth tun.
lucky day Of this scheme OF punish
ment Mr.. Winthrop did not appear ut
brea kfast. 4 servant reported that he
had. started for the railway station for
the $50 train. The two conspiratOrs
looked at each other in dismay. Then
a maid brought the hostess a note left
by her guest ap~Ologizing for. his abrupt
departure. He. had received a tele-
phone message during the night that
his presence was needed in the city.
When the postman came he brought a
letter for Miss Rathbone from a friend.
She read 1t and handed It to Mrs. Ar
mold. It ran as follows: .
understand tina woman hater, lady
killer Ned Winthrop. IL Of your party at
the Arnnlds' Althnn1h vos, ora aHopt at