The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-11-06

sary 10 lluulion children. He had then
not had children and was on the same
plane in this respect as other bache-
lors. Children i'm matrimonial separa-
| ton he had not considered.
Mrs. Ellis bore up without fiinching
under the blow. She said not word
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 ii 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 it was
agreed that he should go to live at
distance. Not being actively occupied.
it made no difference where he lived.
Mrs. Ellis did not ask her husband
the cause Of his desire for separation;
therefore he did not make it known.
The truth is that ordinary family jars
working on man whose brain was
full of matrimonial theories had led
him to take the course he did.
1t was agreed between husband and
wife that the fact that lie was to de-
part permanently was not to be i'm
parted to the children. They were to
he told that their father was going
away and his return was left indefinite.
His wife packed his belongings, and as
he saw her doing the work he won
| dered how he was to get them I'M
packed. for to this she had always
attended. and he had become absolute
~ useless in either packing or unpack-
ing
When all was ready Ellis kissed his
children, then turned to his wife. She
had turned away and was busyinG
herself putting some toilet articles In
his satchel He assumed that she did
not wish to be kissed, and it gave him
pang But it must be remembered
that he was not going away on ac-
count of Il special quarrel or culmina-
ton of quarrels. but Oh general prin-
cipes. He kissed all the children, and
they noticed that he Rugged them very
close.
"Why, papa" said little Ed. you're
crying"
The only reply was Il closer hug AS
soon as the father had hidden good
by to them he seized his satchel and
, shot out of the door without looking
behind him, TO the wonder of all ex.
cept the mother.
fool. He can go over theories that
have grown up 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 his whole fabric. Ellis fabric
was topping before lie left home. He
had no sooner got to his new quarters
and looked about him in room in
which there were furniture and decora-
tons. but no living being. when 1t
collapsed utterly. That night was the
most miserable Of his existence He
did not sleep, but lay awake trying to
form plan whereby he might go home
and save his face Mt the same time.
First he thought that he would lay
down series Of rules for the guild
ance Of himself and his wife and If
she would agree to abide by them he
would go home and try to live in peace
He even wrote out several Of these
rules. but tore them up. He thought
Of variOns eypodients. but none seemed
practical.
In the morning when all his plans
were discarded he wrote note to his
wife admitting his mistake and asking
whether If he came home he would be
received as before his departure. Mrs.
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 ut 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 chit.
dren on their way to school Ellis said
to his wife:
"Where Ere those copies of our pre-.
| nuptial agreement?
Mrs. Ellis disappeared and soon re.
turned with the articles inquired for
Selling them. her husband tore them
into bits and threw them into the fire
burning on the hearth.
Wife" he said with animation. ut
Is my opinion that these newfangled
plans for trial marriages and easy di-
vorces are for persons who either can't
get III together or have never been
married. For you and me they are ri.
dicuous.
"They will not help those who are
happily married. and. as for those who
are unhappily married. God help Them
II