The herald., 1914-02-12
Her Rival
B, OSCAR cox

boudoir sewing when there was ring
at the doorbell. and a few moments
Iater n maid handed her telegram
addressed to her husband Win Tue
hook for signatures. Having slSheu
and the maid departed, Mrs. Yer BECK
hogan TO look at the envelope curious
lv holding it up to the light as though
she might read what was inside. All
this was merely doing something u
while away the time while she was
resisting a temptation to read the teie-
gram. to which she finally yielded.
BEFORE acting it occurred TO her to
crafty her curiosity without her nus
band knowing 1t. She warmed the III
tle gum with which the envelope was
sealed and drew forth the message
The look on her face as she read II
would have sent q cold chill through
the bones Of any husband, however
brave. The corners Of her mouth were
drawn down. and her lips were SET
tight together. This was what sne
read:
You can't see the widow this week,
Come Thursday. the 18th. Shes JIM
dandy.
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 distrushul-
a cIubman, a man about town. a man
with the reputation of being rapid.
Thursday, the 18TH" she said TO
herself I'm glad he gave the date
We shall see about this.
Replacing the telegram in the en-
yelope and pressing down the flap. she
took il downstairs and left 1t In the
salver for mail on table in the nail.
Then she returned to her boudoir ana,
like Mrs. O'Shanter, spent the rest OF
the afternoon nursing her wrath TO
keep 1t warm" But shortly before
dinner. realizing that it was necessary
to her plan that she should dissemble,
she dressed with her usual care and
by the time her husband came home
had steeled herself to receive him as
usual. She heard him pause In the
hall while he read the telegram; then
he came up and gave her the custom
airy marital kiss.
Anything new downtown she ask
ed carelessly.
mo. nothing special The market is
better today. Have you anything on
hand for next Thursday night?"
Its coming" unused the lady. 81
thought So"
EYES," she replied. I've promised
Kit I'll go over and keep her CON-
pany. She'll be alone"
"Oh, I'm sorry. l was going to pro-
pose that we go into the city, dine and
go to the theater."
1.-THE wretch said Mrs. Yer Beck
mentally. HE was not going to pro-
pose any such thing. He asked the
question to find out whether he would
be able to get rid of me. I'll 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 l wouldn't disappoint
her. Well have to go to the city some
other night
Mrs. Yer Beck was standing at her
dresser putting on finishing touches.
Forgetting that her husband was be-
hind her and a mirror before her.
though she spoke the words indiffer-
emily, she expressed her feelings In
her countenance. Her husband saw
and wondered. Something had evil
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"
Then 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 he would 60 from there. Fortu-
nately for her there was little restau-
rant opposite the clubhouse, and there
she went for dinner. sitting at a Ia
Bile close by 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 q moment-looking bored, she
thought-then stroll slowly down the
street Leaving the restaurant she
followed him. He went to the theater
district.
Hes going to meet her at the play"
thought the shadower
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 a 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,
ow unrevealed. When shown to her
seat she was thunderstruck to find II
next her husband. He looked at her
curiously. but did not at first recog-