The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1914-07-09
Ter Rival
By OSCAR cox

boudoir sewing when ehere was ring
al the ioorbell. and a few moments
later a maid handed her telegram
addressed 10 her husband with the
book for signatures. Having signed
and the maid departed. Mrs. Yer Beck
began to look at the envelope curious
~, holding it up TO the light as though
she might read what was inside. All
this was merely doing something 10
while away the time while she was
resisting a temptation TO read the tele-
gram. to which she finally yielded
Before acting IL occurred 10 her 70
crafty her curiosity without her hus-
band knowing 1t. She warmed the lit
tie gum with which the envelope was
sealed and drew forth the message.
The look on her face as she read it
would have sent cold chill 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 can't see the widow this week
Come Thursday. the 18th. She's q finn
dandy.
The message was signed with the
initials of Mr.. Yer Beck's most init
mate friend. of whose influence over
her husband the wife was distrustful-
a ciubman. a man about town. a man
with the reputation Of being rapid.
Thursday. the 18TH she said to
herself. ..I'm glad he gave the date.
We shall see about this
Replacing the telegram in the en-
vel0pe and pressing down the Zap, she
took ii downstairs and left it in the
salver for mail on a table in the hall.
Then she returned to her boudoir and.
like Mrs O'Shanter. spent the rest OF
the afternoon nursing her wrath to
keep It warm But shortly before
dinner, realizing that it was necessary
to her plan that she should dIssemble. |
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 |
ball while he read the telegram; then /
ne came up and gave her the custom
arg marital kiss
Anything new downtown she ask
Cd carelessly.
No. nothing special. The market Is
b@zter today. Have you anything on
hand for next Thursday nightfv
"It's coming unused the lady. II
ehought So
-Yes," she replied 1--WE promised
Kit III go over and keep her COM
pany. She'll be alone"
@Oh, I'm sorry. / was going 10 pro
pose that we go into the city. dine and
so TO the theater."
ssrhe wretch said Mrs. Yer Beck
HE was not going to pro
pose any such thing. He asked the
question to ind out whether he would
be able to get rid Of me. I'll fix him.
II he sees his widow he'll have to take
me along with him.
'sI'm sorry" she said aloud, @but
promised Kit | wouldn't disappoInt
her. Wen have to go TO the city some
,ther night
Mrs. Yer Beck was standing at her
iresser putting on finishing touches.
Forgetting that her husband was be-
lind her and mirror before her,
hough she spoke the words indiffer-
nifty, she expressed her feelings In
Ter e0untenanee. Her husband saw
md wondered. Something had EVIL
lently gone wrong. But he had learn
d when things had gone wrong with
lis wife to let her alone TIL the storm
lad blown over. So he arose from
is chair, went downstairs and read
he evening newspaper till dinner was
eryed
The next Thursday morning before
ding to business Mr.. Yer Beck asked:
My dear, are you going to Kits to
ightys
81 am
Then think I'll remain in the city,"
do so by all means. 1t win be very =
all for you here alone" !
So Mr.. Yer Beck remained In the !
ty, little dreaming that he was a !.
0use on whom the cat was to pounce. J,
is wife knew that when ia town he !,
ned at his club, and wherever he T.
snt he would go from there. Tortu- i,
tely for her there was q little restau- 4,
ut opposite the clubhouse. and there =
e went for dinner, sitting at a Ia !.
: close by window. She made a
lgaI meal-not having any appetite 4
d spent half an hour after she had =
ished waiting. Then she saw her Z.
sband come out to the club stoop,
md moment-Iooking bored, she !"
ought stroll slowly down the y
rect. Leaving the restaurant. she y
lowed him. He went TO the theaker ue
strict. 10
He's going to meet her at the play
ought the shsiiower
dr. Yer Beck turned in at one Of the
eaters. His wife. keeping far enough
hind to permit him to get in. fol- lai
we'd and asked for a single seat. The 50
rk gave her an excellent one that ST.
] Just been returned. Mrs. Yer Beck OF
w down her veil and entered. She CO..
uld watch her husband and the wild M
unreyeaied. When shown to her Du
I she was thundeFstruck to find IL no
It her husband. He looked at her no
iously. but did not at first recog-
4 4 a a