The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1914-05-08
Her Rival
BY OSCAR COX

Ms. Yer Beck wis sitting III uer
Doudoir sewing when there WAS il rIi-
At the doorbell. and Il few moments
later Il maid handed her II telegram
to her husband with the
and the maid departed. Mrs. Wen Beck
began to look at the envelope curious
ly, holding 1t up to the light Us though
she might read what was inside. AL
this was merely doing something tn
while away the time while she was
resisting temptation to read the tele-
gram, to which she finally yielded
Before acting it occurred to her to
crafty her curiosity without her nus
band knowing ii. She warmed The lit
tie gum with which the envelope was
sealed and drew forth the nessnge
The look on her face as she read II |
would have sent cold rhl!l 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 she
read:
You cant see the widow this week
Come Thursday. the 18TH Shes i'm
dandy.
The message was signed with tue
initials of Mr. Yer ReckS most init
mate friend. Of whose influence over
her husband the wife WAS dStruSttul-
"A clubman. II man about town, II 'nan
with the reputation OF being rapid.
"ThurSduy. the 18th she sand to
herself I'm glad ne gave the date
We shall see about this
Replacing the telegram In the en-
velule and pressing down the tlap. she
took il downstairs and left II III the
salver tor maiI on IL table IN the nan
Then she returned to her buudur anu.
like Mrs. O'Shanter. spent the resi- VI
the afternoon nursing her wrath 10
keep it warm But shortly before
dinner. realizing that it was necessary
TO her plan that she should diSsemhle
she dressed with her usual care ana
by the time her husband came home
had steeled herself to receive him as
| usual She heard him pause III the
hall while be read the telegram; then
he came up and gave her the custom
| airy marital kiss.
"Anything new downtown" she ask
ed carelesSly
NO. nothing special The market is
better today. Have you anything on
hand for next Thursday night?'
Its coming" unused the lady. u
thought so"
Yes" she replied. I've promised
Kit III go over and keep her com
pany. She'll be alone"
"Oh, I'm sorry. was going to pro
pose that we go into the city, dine anC
go to the theater.'
1.-THE wretch said Mrs. Yer Becl
mentally. He was not going to pro
bose any such thing He asked TIT
question to find out whether he woult
be able to get rid of me- I'll fix him
If he sees his widow he'll have to TAXI
me along with him.
I'm sorry" she said aloud. but
promised Kit wouldn't disappoln
her. Well have to SO to the city som
other night
Mrs. Yer Beck was standing at he
dresser putting on finishing touches
Forgetting that her husband was be
hind her and a mirror before bel
though she spoke the words indlhei
entity, she expressed her feelings /
her countenance Her husband say
and wondered Something had ev
IDENTITY gone wrong But he had learr
ed when things had gone wrong wit
, his wife to let her alone till the stort
had blown over. So he arose fror
, his chair, went downstairs and rea
the evening newspaper till dinner wa
served.
y The next Thursday morning befor
! going to business Mr.. Yer Beck asked
. my dear. are you going to Kits t
night?
IL am"
= Then think III remain in the city
DO so by all means. 1t will be yer
dull for you here alone"
= So Mr. Yer Beck remained in tt
city, little dreaming that be was
mouse on whom the cat was to pounc
His wife knew that When in town /
dined at his club, and wherever
! went he would go from there. Fort
nately for her there was little resta
rant opposite the clubhouse. and the
she went for dinner, sitting at t
bic close by window. She made
frugal meal-not having any appetite
and spent half an hour after she ha
finished waiting. Then she saw b.
husband come out to the club stoo
stand a moment-looking bored, 81
thought-then stroll slowly down Il
/. street. Leaving the restaurant. 81
,. followed him. He went to the theat
l. district
e He's going to meet he's at the play
5, thought the ShadOweg.
1t Mr.. Yer Beck turned in ri one of d
eg theaters. II is wife. keeping far enOu!
behind to permit him to get in, Il
7 lowed and asked for a single seat. L
clerk gave tier an excellent one tn
l had Just been returned Mrs. Yer Be
l. drew down her veil and entered. s
c. would watch her husband and the wi
d ow unrevealed. When shown to h
ID seat she was thunderstruck to ind
S. next her husband. He looked at
&c curously. but did not at first recC
S, nize her through her veil.
20 Then suddenly she saw the name
" the play on her program-"The Mer