Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1914-06-19
Ter Rival.
By OSCAR cox


book for signatures. Having signed
and the maid departed, Mrs. Yer Beck
began to look at the envelope curious.
ly, holding it up to the light as though
she might read what was inside. All
this was merely doing something to
while away the time while she was
resisting u temptation to read the tele-
gram. to which she finally yielded.
Before acting it occurred to her to
crafty her curiosity without her hus~
band knowing it. She warmed the lit
tie gum With which the envelope was
sealed and drew forth the message.
The look on her face as she read it
would have sent cold chill through
the bones Of any husband. however
brave. The corners of her mouth were
drawn down. and her lips We're set
tight together. This was what she
read:
You can't see the widow this week
Come Thursday. the 18th. She's a jim
handy
The message was signed with the
initials of Mr. Yer Beck's most init
mate friend, of whose influence over
her husband the wife was distrusrful-
clubman. Il man about town. a man
With the reputation of being rapid
"Thursday. the 15th,' she said to
herself. Pm glad he gave the date
We shall see about this
Replacing tile telegram in the en-
velOpe and pressing down the flap. she
look it downstairs and left it in the
>a!ver for mail on a table in the hall
Then she returned to her boudoir and.
Ike Mrs. O'Shanter. spent the rest Ut
5he afternoon nursing her wrath to
keep it warm" But shortly before
Timer. realiziuy that it was necessary
20 her plan that she should disse1nbe.
she dressed with her usual care and
~ The time her husband came home
lad stpe!eu herself to receive him as
,>u;i She heard him pause in the
nall while be read the telegram; then
IL calne up and gave her the custom
nry marital kiss.
"Anything new DOWNTOWN" she ask
ii carelessly.
NO. nothing special. The market is
'etter today. Have you anything On
hand for next Thursday night?"
ITS coming unused the lady. Il
Thought So"
"les.'' she replied. i've promised
Kit III go over aud keep her COM
;,any She'll be alone"
''Oh. I'm sorry. was going to pro-
pose that we go into the city, dine AID
go to the theater." y..s
1.-The wretchr' said Mrs. Yer HBecls
mentally HE was not going to pro-
pose any such thing. He asked the
question to find out whether ne would
he able to get rid Of, me. III fix him.
II he sees his widow he'll have to take
me along with him.
I'm sorry" she said aloud, 'but
promised Kit | wouldn't disappoint
her. Well have to go to the city some
other night
Mrs. Yer Beck was standing at he1
dresser putting on finishing touches.
Forgetting that her husband was be-
mind her and mirror before her,
though she spoke the words indiffer
emily. she expressed her feelings in
her countenance. Her husband saw
and wondered. Something had evi.
IDENTIFY gone wrong. But he had learn.
ed when things had gone wrong with
his wife to let her alone till the storm
had blown over So he arose from
his chair. went downstairs and read
the evening newspaper till dinner was
served.
The next Thursday morning before
going to business Mr.. Yer Beck asked:
MY dear, are you going to Kits to
night:"
Il am"
"rhen think I'll remain in the city,"
do so by all means. 1t will be very
dull for you here alone"
So Mr.. Yer Beck remained in the
city. little dreaming that he was a
mouse on whom the cat was to pounce.
His wife knew that when in town he
dined at his club. and wherever he
went be would 60 from there. Fortu'
nately for her there was little restau.
rant opposite the clubhouse. and there
she went for dinner. sitting at ia.
BILE close by a window. She made a
frugal meal-not having any appetite
and spent half an hour after she had
finished waiting. Then she saw her
husband come out to the club stoop,
stand a moment-looking bored, she
thought-then stroll slowly down the
street. Leaving the restaurant she
followed him. He went to the theater
district
He's going to meet her at the play"
thought the shad0we:.
Mr.. Yer Beck turned in at one of the
theaters. His wife. keeping far enough
behind to permit him to get in, fol-
lowed and asked for single seat. The
clerk gave her an excellent one that
had just been returned. Mrs. Yer Beck
drew down her veil and entered. She
would watch her husband and the wild
0w unrevealed. When shown to her
seat she was thunderstruck to find It
next her husband. He looked at her
curiO1slv hnt did nnf af fret 10000,