The daily Alaskan., 1914-09-24
HIS PUNISHMENT
By r. A. hHTCIIEL

Dorothy DOahe, engaged to rom AT mold, had called at his house to see his mother about arrangements for the wedding. It happened that Tom and his friend, Ned Winthrop, were in the smoking room and unconscious of Dorothy's presence in the adjoining parlor. She overheard her fanco talk ing with his Chum Ned was saying:
 "SO you're to be swung off next week? Poor fellow! You'll feel like a muzzled dog, q chained dog, q dog with his tail between his legs. If you smoke she'll bother you till you give 1t | up that she may have the money you spend on it for hats. If you stay at home much of the time she'll make you feel what it is to have man about the house all day. If you go out shell accuse you of leaving her to nope at home while you are enjoying yourself in the gay world. As for me, she'll brook no rivalry. She'll freeze 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 off by say ing he had no mind tO be Snubbed by | the bride with a view to breaking off the last vestige of intimacy between himself and the husband. But Tom urged him, and he gave in. Mrs. Ar mold received him cordially.
 Moreover she had provided a young l lady friend to meet him.
 Miss Kate Rathbone had been select ed from all of Mrs. Arnold's aCquaint- ances as the most competent person to make him eat his words overheard by her before her marriage. The hearts Miss Rathbune had smashed were like the sands of the Sea Men had fought over Ter. had mOuucd over her and grOaued over her. And now Ned had been brought to the house in order to be made to suffer for his strictures on wives.
 The net was set immediately. Miss RathbOne gave Mir. Winthrop a glance the moment of their meeting intended to give him to understand that her breath had been quite taken away by his Apo,lo-llke appearance. She was very gracious to him at dinner and when left alone witl6ahim on the ve- randa in the moonlight turned her face so that the heavenly orb might rest upon it, softened her voice to dove like tones and used her eyes without mercy.
 Mir Winthrop appeared at least to be deeply moved by his fair companion. He was a bright man, a good cOnver- sationdlist, which with him meant to listen attcngivcIy. Ills voice was a bari tone, but he seldom used it, though when he did it was with, good effect. For two days he was under the faS. ciuationS of Miss RathbOne, and when Monday came. being invited to pro- long his visit consented to do so.
 Mrs Arnold was much pleased at the way her scheme of punishment was progressing Ter husband was obliged to go to the city during the day, but returned the same after noon. Mrs. Arnold busted herself with her household duties while he was ab- 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 RathbOne's every word. If she remained long in her room for her afternoon siesta he walked about forlorn, and his face frightened at her appearance. Mrs. Arnold did not scruple to do some eavesdropping, hoping to hear the pro- pOsal.
 At the end of ten days Winthrop re- marked ruefuly 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. But there was every indication that a equalization would occur at any moment.
 On the morning of the thirteenth (un- lucky) day of this scheme of punish ment Mir. Winthrop did not appear at breakfast. A servant reported that he had started for the railway station for the 5:3O train. The two conspiratOrs looked at each other in dismay. Then maid brought the hostess a note left by her guest apOlogizing 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 friend. She read it and handed it to Mrs. Ar mold. It ran as follows:
 I understand that woman hater, lady killer Ned Winthrop, is of your party at