The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-11-13

S~WA - A0~ wv VVS&DWOOAOOs rrs
; Mn Elus borssup without d1pcht>g
und6f+the blow. She sah not Q Wued
- h. the separation except what wa
necessary for making new plans. The
schools In the town In which che lived
wore excellent H. children had a.
ways lived In Alss house they occupied.
and It would b inconvenient 10 move
them. She therefore told her husband
that II they were to separate he would
have to do the separating: she would
remain at home with the children. He
had become sufnciently 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 q
distance. Not being actively occupied.
It made NO difference where be lived.
Mrs. Ellis did not ask her husband
the cause Of his desire for Q separation:
therefore he did not make It known.
The truth Is that ordinary family jars
working on a man whose brain wal
full Of matrimonial theories had led
bin to take the course he did.
It wa agreed between husband and
wife that the fact that he was to de-
part permanently was not to be i'm
parted to the children. They were TO
be 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 un-
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 busy1ng
herself putting some toilet articles In
his satchel. He assumed that she did
not wish to be kissed. and it gave him
a pang. But it must be remembered
that he was not going away on &C
count of a special quarrel or culmina-
ton of quarrels. but on general prin-
ciples. 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 a closer hug. As
500 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.
There is no fool like the theoretic
fool. He can go owe 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 he left home. He
had no sooner got to his new quarters
and looked about him in a room in
which there were furniture and decora-
tons, but no living being. when it
collapsed utterly. That night was the
most miserable Of his existence. He
did not sleep. but lay awake trying to
form a plan whereby he might go home
and save his face at the same time.
First he thought that be would lay
down a series Of rules for the guild
ance Of himself and his wife and II
she would agree to abide by them he
would 60 home and try to hive In peace.
He ever wrote out several Of these
rules. but tore them up. He thought
Of various e~xpedients. but none seemed
practical.
In the morning when all bis plans
were discarded he wrote a note to his
wife admitting his mistake and asking
whether II he came home be 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. TIRE
spective Of speed limit. to his home.
His wife met him at the door and
threw her arms about bis 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 mes 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 chill
dren on their way to school Ellis said
to his wife:
where are those copies o. our pre-
nuptial agreement?
Mrs. Ellis disappeared and soon r.
turned with the articles inquired for.
SEEKING them. her husband tore them
into bits and threw them into the fire
burning on the hearth.
"Wife." he said with animation. 1T
IL my opinion that these newfangled
plans for trial marriages and easy d.
vorces are for persons who either can't
get on together or have never been
married. For you and me they are r.
d1culous.
'"They will not help those who are
happily married. and. as for those who
T unhappily married. God help them!'
That VIA tho on6 NJ Ellis matrimO-