The daily Alaskan., 1914-11-23

| as to the separation except what was necessary for making new plans. The schools in the town in which she lived were excellent, the children had al. ways lived in the house they occupied, and 1t would be inconvenient to move them. She therefore told her husband that If they were to separate he would have to do the separating; she would remain at home with the children. He had become sufficiently acquainted with family requirements to realize that the children would require their schools and still more their mother. He had always left them to her keeping and did not relish their care. So 1t was agreed that he should go to live at a distance Not being actively occupied, 1t made no difference where he lived.
 Mrs. Ellis did not ask her husband the cause of his desire for separationi therefore be did not make 1t known. The truth is that ordinary family jars working on q man whose brain was full Of matrimonial theories had led hlm to take the course he did.
 It was agreed between husband ana wife that the fact that he was to de- part permanently was not to be im- parted to the children. They were to be told that their father was going Iaway and his return was left indefinite. His wife packed his belongings, and as he saw her doing the work he Won' dercd how he was to get them un- packed. for to tlIs she had always attended. and he had become absolute ly useless In either packing or unpack- l ing
 When all was ready Ellis kissed his children. then turned to hls wife. She | had turned away and was busying herself putting some toilet articles in bis satchel. He assumed that she did not wish to he kissed. and It gave him pang But It must be remembered that be was not going away on ac- count of a special quarrel or cuimina. ton of duarrels. but on general prin. ciples. He kissed all the children, and they noticed that he hugged them very close. ..
 "Why. papa" said little Ed, you're crying"
 The only reply was a closer hug. AS soon as the father had bidden good by to them he seized his satchel and shot out of the door without looking behind him. to the wonder of all e1- cept the mother. ..... ..-.-...
 There is no fool like the theoretic fool. He can go over theories that have grown mp In his mind, they be- coming more and more perfect to him the while. and not see some glaring defect that to another will plainly let down bis whole fabric. Ellis fabric was topplIng before he left home. He had no sooner got to his new quarters and looked about him ia room in which there were furniture and decora. tions, but no living being when it collapsed utterly. That night was the most miserable of his existence. He did not sleep. but lay awake trying to form a plan whereby he might so home and save his face at the same time.
 First be thought that he would lay down a series of rules for the guid' ance of himself and his wife and IT she would agree to abide by them be would go home and try to live in peace He even wrote out several of these rules, but tore them up. He thought of various expedients, but none seemed practical.
 In the morning when all hlS plans were discarded he wrote a note to hs wife admitting hIs mistake and asking whether If he came home he would be 1 received as before his departure. Mra Ellis replied that he would be welcome adding no condition or stipulation whatever. He had scarcely received her note when he called an automobile and told the chauffeur to drive, ire spective of speed limit, to his home.
 His wife met him at the door and threw her arms about his neck. To gether they went into the dining room' where the children were just finishing their morning meal All rose and Jumped upon him The older ones had suspected that something was wrong In the fathers going and were much moved at his sudden return, when the greetings were over and the chll dren on their way to school Ellis saio 70 his wife:
 Where are those copies O. our pre- Quptial agreement?
 Mrs. Ellis disappeared and soon re turned with the articles inquired TOT. Seizing them. her husband tore them into bits and threw them into the lire burning on the hearth.
 Wife" he said with animation, Tt is my opinion that these neYfangled plans for trial marriages and easy d. vorces are for persons who either can't get on together or have never been married. For you and me they are Fl diculous.
 "They will not help those who are happily married, and, as for those who are unhappily married, God help themF'
 That was the end of Ellis matrimo, nial theories. When after that he and his wife had 6 spat. according to an