Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-03-06
Her Rival
By OSCAR cox

ut the tloOrbell. and a few moments
later a maid handed her a telegram
addressed to her husband with the
pool for signatures. Having signed
and the maid departed. Mrs. Yer Beck
began to look ut the envelope curious
", holding II up To the light as though
she might read what was inside. All
this wis merely dung something 10
while away the time while she was
resisting Il temptation 10 read the tele-
gram. to which SHE finally yielded
Before acting II occurred IN her to
crafty her curiosity without her nus
band knowing IL. SIZE warmed the lit
tie gum with which the envelope WAS
sealed and drew forth Ilnr nIesSage.
The look on her fa.e aS she read II
would have sent II cold chill through
the bones of any husband. however
brave. The corners of her mouth were
drawn down. and her lips we're set
tight together. This was what she
read:
You can't see the widow this week
Come Thursday. the 18th. She's = Jim
dandy.
The message was signed with the
initials of MI. Yer Beck's most init
mate friend. OF whose influence owe
her husband the wife was distrustful-
q clubman. a man about town. a man
with the reputation OF being rapid.
Thursday. the 18TH" she said to
herself. Pm glad he gave the date
We shall see about this"
Replacing the telegram In the en-
svelope and pressing down the flap. she
took il downstairs and left 1t in the
salver for mail on a table In the hall.
Then she returned to her bondoir and.
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 dlssemble.
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 be 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" mused the lady. II
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 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 u whether he would
be able to get rid Of me. III fix him.
II he sees his widow he'll nave to take
me along with him.
I'm sorry" she said aloud. ''bnt !
promised Kit u wouldn't d~isappolnt
her. Wen nave 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 conntenance. 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 yon going to Kits to-
night?"
II 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 tt pounce.
His wife knew that when In town he
dined at his club. and wherever he
went be would go from there. Fortu-
nately for Der there was a little restau-
ant opposite the clubhouse. and there
she went for dinner. sitting at a Ia
BILE close by a 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 sto0p.
stand a demonstrating 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-