Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-12-25

FRANK
How he Contrived a Merry
Christmas
BY F. A. mitchell

was a lawyer. This meant not only
that he was to procure the divorce
ment. but to arrange for the care of
the children. and be was given carte
blanche to take any measure in the
premises he might see fit.
Frank placed all the blame for the
trouble on his brother. who had been
somewhat gay during his bachelor
hood and was not inclined to give up
his attentions to other women after his
marriage. His wife was very rigid as
to the actions of her husband and
made him feel that be was too circum-
scribed. Frank endeavored to con-
vince his brother that the home vas
of far more Importance than the pleas
ure to be derived from attentions to
any woman who would so far demean
herself as to accept them from another
woman's husband. and he had better
accede to his wife's wishes and con
fine himself to her. But Luther de
clared that his attentions to other wo-
men we're harmless and he did not
propose to be dictated to by a Jealous
woman.
Whereupon the lawyer laid down the
following plan for the couples guild
ance: Both should leave the home and
reside elsewhere. The children were
to be left where they were under the
care of a woman to be provided for
the purpose. The father and mother
would be permitted to visit their off
spring once a month. the father on the
LIST. the mother OF the 10Th. The law
yer agreed to procure the divorce as
soon as possible.
This plan was objected to by both
parties. w%hereupon Frank Eiwood de-
clared that he would have nothing to
do with the matter. But 1t was essen-
tial that the care of the children be
provided for while the divorce pro-
ceedings were pending. and. since the
couple could find no "A else on whom
they could agree to manage the affair,
they finally gave in and left 1t in
Franks hands.
In June Frank Edwood informed his
brother and his sister-in-law that their
legal separation would be completed
in six months. On the 10th Of Deem
tar ne notified them that the decree
would be granted early in January.
and he desired them to call at his Of
fee on the 23d of December for the
purpose of making certain transfers of
property that had been agreed upon
out of court. On the 23d he informed
them that the papers would not be
ready for signature till after office
hours the next day. He therefore APP
pointed the meeting to take place at
their home at 5 p. m. sharp.
Tomorrow EVENING"" exclaimed Lu.
Their Elwood. why. ttat's Christmas
eve"
Good gracious.' exclaimed Edith
Elwood. "The awful man, to bring Us
together at our old home for such a
purpose on Christmas ever
The attorney was called to the tele-
phone by both parties for the purpose
of protesting against the place of meet
ing, and both were answered that the
heating apparatus In the building
where Frank had his Office was out of
commission. that no other place was
available, that winter storm which
was raging rendered it necessary that
some warm place should be selected
and that the place provided would be
both warm and comfortable. This end
ed the argument. and both the husband
and wife gave a reluctant assent.
At a quarter to 8 Mrs. Elwood ran
up the steps of what had been her
home. rang the bell and was admitted
by a maid who had been in her employ
ever since her marriage.
christine" she said. ~ have an ap
pointment here at 5 and have come
ahead OF time ia order to see the chill.
dren."
"Yes'm. III tell Mrs. Albright"
The lady went into the living room
and stood before a fire blazing brightly
on the hearth. The maid went upstairs
and returned with a message from the
woman who had the care of the chill
dren that she had no orders from Mr.
Frank Elwood to permit Mrs. Elwood
to see the children except on her regu.
lar day.
This was. indeed. a disappointment.
The mother wiped away a tear. then
began pacing back and forth before
the fire till there was a ring at the
doorbell and her husband was ushered
into the room. He bowed deferential.
ly. but the wife did not return his sa
lutte. He took a seat by the fire. and
she sat down as far from him as pos
sible. Neither spoke till the clock
struck 5. when the husband remarked,
Frank said we were to be punetual
He is going to be late himself
He should be ashamed to bring US
together here. Of all places. OIL Christ
mas eve"
Perhaps he did it for my benefit
Being a bachelor. he doubtless under
stands that a, club Is no place for a
man at Christmas time"
"One would suppose that this home,
into which you brought me a happy
- ~ f.-A 49, 49,