davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16
How She Comes Between Husband and Wife
By
ELLEN ADAIR

/ sensible wife recently, although at the
same time l am a decided advocate for
friendship among women. The pity is
that women don't seem to be rational In
their friendships They go too far. To
have best friend means that into her
ear--wiling or unwllling-be poured all
sorts Of intimate family matters. Now
this Is very great mistake. and proves
the grave OF friendship. For sooner or
later the talKatlve woman is going to
regret having discussed her private af-
fairs. She will begin to suspect her best
friend of giving her away'-and then
farewell to friendship
you seem to have very decided Views
on the subject" lnterpolated a second
woman.
"well, it's this way" resumed the
other, when was first married. the
woman who lived next door was perfect
ly sweet to me, and 1 got into the habit
of dropping into her house every after
noon for cup of tea. It was delight
full break in the monotony of the after
noon. At first, I used to talk about out
side things, and books and theatres and
parties and places I'd visited. But after
a time 1 somehow slipped into the habit
of discussing little everyday happenings
with her.
GAS 1 said before, she was very sweet
and sympathetic--or I mistook her natu-
raj curiosity for that-and I gradually
began to confide in her. The first time
John and / had quarrel, and he went
off without kissing me goodbye, I
spent the morning dawdling miserably
round the house. In the afternoon I
dreaded going over to see my friend, for
/ knew she would notice my red eyes
and question me.
However. did so. And, OF course,
she soon got the whole story out of me.
She was indignant at John. and. instead
of mending matters she urged me to
show my Independent spirit by opposing
him in every way So when John came
nome at night he found no dinner wait
ing for him, the house in darkness. and
myself still gossiping next door,
John was very nice about 1t all, and
we finally made up the quarrel. But
after that got into the habit Of discuss
ing him freely with my next-door neigh
Dor. She was always so interested, so
But later ] was to be
brought to my senses in very unpleas-
ant way!
81 was at an afternoon tea party at
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16

| the previous day he had gone out in a
bath chair for the first time. The lie had
done its good work. From the very day
he had heard the good news he had be-
gun to mend Guys return to the world
of the living had meant more than the
taking of a single burden off John Err
ieigh's mind. 1t had meant that now his
wife would forgive him all his share I'm
the shameful business of the past A
broad pathway of happiness seemed TO
lie before them There were no clouds in
Sky where the sun shone brightly-as
brightly as it did on this spring after
noon, gliding the lawns and trees of
Monksilver with golden light.
Two days" he whispered, pressing
her hand to his cheek. "It will seem a
lifetime for you, Anne. You must go and
meet him-say at Parls-you ought to
have gone before-or Arthur must 60
If | were quite well-no I am quite we'll,
but the doctor is a fool, and keeps me
here as If were an invalid. Anne. don't
YOU think we ought to tell the news
papers? / wonder they haven't got hold
of the news by now"
"Jack-we talked that over-we decided
that we should say nothlng-that we
should keep this-thls wonderful JOY to
ourselves"
"Yes, Anne; but now-and certainly the
tenants ought to know. There must be
some sort of public feast for them-re-
joicings; triumphal arches; fireworks
Anne, dear, I'd like the boy to have
laundering good welcome"
"Ill see about 1t, dear-I'll ask Arthur,
I'll go down and see Arthur now"
He grlpped her hand with his thin,
white fingers.
"Anne, dear" he said, in low voice,
"you-you have quite forgiven me?"
She flung her arms round his neck and
kissed him,
Eyes. yes" she whispered. "Of course
oh. am so happy-so happy" and then
she hurried from the room to hide her
tears. She found Lord Wimberley in the
library.
arthur" she cried. III cannot bear
II, 1t Is killing me. And now-we have
only two more days. And Jack-is asking
me-to-to arrange for some sort OF public
rejolclng-a- arches-dear
Heaven, cannot bear It any longer And
when the time comes for telling him-I
think that-will be the worst OF all"
You must leave that to me, Anne. I
have been thinking 1t over. We might
tell your husband that the boy is Ill
nothing serious, but something infectious,
that viii prevent him from travelling. You
can go out to him. and when you are
away I'll tell your husband the truth. He's
Erong enough to bear il now"
He will never forgive me-never"
Oh yes. he will. And a good thing has
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16

little girl must be about vss.. 80.
always wears the cutest frocks ~. ~ -
and Is very pretty little thing u 1ulsa
l saw her this morning IN
check coat of some llghtwsivt, en.si
rial, much abbreviated as 10 ss,.. mhls
with very pronounced fare. TIT ant
a broad belt around the waist - ~
large collar and cuffs were OF ,,hi.a dna ns
1T is rather hard to know ,u,e !. elik
dress children" said the chiid'. wv .
mother to me. "I am glad vo, ,,,'. ,sogns
appearance of that coat. for IN. .ne "
myself 1t was rather mora d,saaaows
mako than dresses, for the mst".al Q
not so easy to handle"
noticed that she was bv.u,
broidering something which provaS "
the material for pretty peasans y ~ 2
for her little girl. Ivy tt'vs1
TT l5 SO much moro econonn,..,
satisfactory to make children's c,,.s.al -
oneself" continued she. "I ofta+ 49, ss,s,
that IL some fashion artist wouid ssa. IN
out a regular magazine Of chI,s,ssa..
fashions It would be the making ~ ".
or her fortune. My little Eiri Is M, n !.
all difficult to dress, for Rhe siv.e@. =
seems to look well, and really renavs =. =.
for the time and trouble spent It X. X.
Same time, l wish there were fsw 49, -,
fashion books entirely devoted 10 stsl sSu'
dren's clothes and the study OF IndiviS
ual chlldren's needs"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16

| come out of this-besides the fact that you
have saved his life. You have told him
that you have forgiven him. You can't
go back on that"
II do not wish to go back. I owe him
that-at least II know now that ought
never to have turned against him. But
this-this telling of the truth--oh, Arthur,
If you knew what L have suffered-hOw
hard 1t has been"
He laid haid on her shoulder.
You're the pluckiest woman I know"
he said. II quite understand what this
has meant to you-knowing your boy to
be dead, and pretending-that you are the
happiest woman in the world"
| He took his hand from her shoulder as
the door opened and a footman entered
the room. A telegram was handed to
Lady Wimberley, and when the servant
had left the room, she cried out:
Another OF them-surely, Arthur, It
was not necessary"
lie took the telegram from her and tore
IL open. Then he flung up his arms above
mis- head and shouted out:
The boy is alive-thank God the bov
is alive after ALL" wy
Lady Wimberley looked at her brotber-
in-law Tor one moment with wide-onsn
eyes and parted lips. Then she tainted
ana ne was Just In time to save her from
falling to the floor. -'0''
Ten minutes later she opened her evas
and passed one hand across her dripninp
hair. Lord Wimberley put his arm round
her shoulders, raised her into a sitting
position and held a glass of brandy TO
her lips. "
Here drink this, old girl" he said:
.ltll put life into you. Upon my word
I've never known a woman faint for
pure JOY before. You drink this''
She slipped a few drops of the brandy
and the coughed.
Arthur" she whispered. ''tbia-tbIs a.
cruel hoax-a mlstakeZths man yo,'
asked TO send the others
stun and nonsense" he said with a
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16

The feminine "best friend" Is very
delightful Institution, and one particularly
dear to the heart OF womankind. Dear
in more senses than one-unfortunatelyl
For the 'best friend" hears so many con
fidences and is the recipient OF so many
family secrets that she is only too apt
to become that very fearsome parsonage,
''the ono who knows too much"
Talkatlveness is a falling Just little too
prevalent amons womankind. and the best
friend acts as sort OF safety valve.
Into her car are poured the various trials
and trlbulatlons to which the human race
IN general and the feminine race in par
ticular fall heir
Now. although II has been already ed-
mitted that the best friend is very de-
lightful adjunct to womankind. at the
safne time she proves very risky specu-
lation. More homes and happiness. have
been wrecked through the garrulous
cutpouring of foolish femininity than
through any other cause. For the best
friend, with all the nest intentions and
the kindllest heart in the world is only
human after all, and she Is dreadfully
apt to repeat and exaggerate the con-
ndences of which she is recipient.
Men are always skeptical Of the femi-
nine best friend" Never trust a
woman with secret, unless you want it
blazoned from the housetop," runs a mas
culine motto
While this view is decidedly exagger-
ated, the advice is pretty safe. all the
same. For a secret should remain a
secret. and not even best friend should
De initiated there.
Men never give themselves away in
the wholehearted manner peculiar to
women. They are too cautious, their
business sense Is too strong. It is curious
to note what a strange lack OF worldly
wisdom women display in this respect at
every turn. have known women give
away their family secrets to at least half
a dozen feminine confdantes and all with
the essentially feminine injunction, This
is strictly private, but know that can
trust you" How they have this sixth
sense of knowing" anything of the sort
is surprising! But their confidence and
their powers of trustfulncss are unique.
81 think that this best friend business
is SO apt to be carried to excess" said
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16
~ PRIZE
&ffgSU { SUGGESTIONS.
PRIZES OFFERED DAILY

For the following suggestions sent In ny
rssdere Of the EyKSINe IEDeHR prizes Of u
All suggestions should be addressed 70 Ellen
aSnr fpSr Editor ot Womsnn Psge, dEiinvbsnsISs dEinbsnISs
A prize Of 81 has been awarded to Mrs. j.
Kelly, 231e Croskey street, Philadelphia, for
the following suggestion;
If the spring in the roller OF a window
shade is broken the shade is practically
useless, but the roller can be used very
nicely for roller towel IL made smaller
and adjusted to one of the kitchen doors
with the same fixtures as used for the
window shade.
"A prize Of so cents has been awarded 20
Mary Alice HanER, ia Linden street, Cam
den, N. j., for the following sugRestiOn;
During the recent heavy rains the ar
tesian well water in the Camden city
water supply had taken on n very muddy
appearance and I was compelled to ex-
press my embarrassment to few friends
at dinner to whom I served the water.
1t was suggested that I strain the water
through a piece of cheesecloth. did
so, and to the complete surprise OF all
of us, the water so strained was perfectly
clear. The water had no indication OF
being anything other than discolored prior
to straining, but the sediment left in the
stralnlng cloth convinced me of the neces-
slty OF slralnlnB all water hereafter when
1t appears any way discolored.
A prize Of 80 cents has been awarded 10
Mrs. A. i, Wn1E, 2l00 st. James Terrace,
West Philadelphia, for the following suE-
Eestion:
Place a pitcher of cold water on the
table in your room when you retire and 1t
will absorb all the gases which may be
present. Few people realize how impor-
tant such publication is for the health.
The colder the water, the more efficient
the action. The water will be entirely
unfit for use, however, and under no cir
drink it,
A prize OF so cents has been awarded TO 3
Miss Mary Whyte. 436 Rcilley street. Cam
den, N. j., for the following suggestion:
When using the gas oven for baking, If
a pan of salt is put on the bottom of
the oven, 1t will prevent the food from
burning.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16
CHAPTER xxxIX.

Anne, Anne, Is there any news?"
Yes. Jack. dear" she answered ''The
best Of news. Guy has reached MarseiIles.
He will be here the day after tomorrow.
See, here Is the telegram-read it,"
She handed II out tc him, her face
flushed. her eyes bright with tears, her,
heart aching with shame and misery.
John Erleish' took the piece of paper ana
read the contents, 1t was from Guy
himself-slgned with his name
Hope 10 be with you on Thursday
Quite we'll. Good luck 10 you all guy"
II was the sixth message that had come
to Monksilver since Lord Wimberley had
told the good news. One had been sent
from every port that the vsssel. the Silver
Queen. had touched at. II had been a
long voyage, for the ship had not come
straight home TO England, She had frst
called at African ports and then returned
through the Slez Canal. She was a small
trading steamer OF no importance. and
her movements were not chronicled In
the papers.
'It Is wonderful" WHISPERED John Err
leigh as no held the telegram In hls
trembling wonderful DO sou
knoe, Anne, that even nov / can hardly
believe IT."
she sealed herself on the arm 81 his
chaI1 ana kissed hIln tenaerly He vas
eelaDieleIT oal % danger uoa. and on
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16

her home. and was talking to a rather
deaf woman. Isn't Mary a dear soulT
said che to me; its a shame that she is
so bothered by a next-door neighbor Of
hers She's always running in with gos-
sip about her husband, and worries poor
Mary to death. Mary says they tight
like cat and dog. Their name is Smith.
DO you know themP
Ibid | know them7 I knew them so
we'll that / rose In righteous Indignation
and left the house. So that was the way
my best friend talked about my hus-
band and myself behind our backsl
was astounded.
However the lesson proved a very
salutary one. Never again did culti-
vate the foolish habit of pouring imagi-
nary troubles into the ears Of a neigh
bour. And ] have so much more time
now to give to John-dear old John-the
best man In the worldr'
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16

| have passed and the boy does not arrive
that your husband will begin to suspect
the truth. And by then he will be out
of danger"
| but afterwards, Arthur-the reckon
| ing will come afterwards"
He laughed. "Oh, I'll take all that on
my shoulders" he said; ''or we can put
| II on some one else's back. All you've got
to do is to read the cable l give you and
and play your part"
And play my part?" she repeated me-
chanically. Then she rose to her feet
with a look of fear in her eyes
mo, no." she said II cannot do 1t. 1t
is asking too much. 1t is more than hu-
man nature can bear-that should laugh
and be happy-and know all the time that
my boy-is dead-and that no power In
heaven or earth can give MIN pack 10
me-"
"Anne, dear, you must be brave-when
so much is at stake. Think what 1t Will
mean-I know 1t will be very hard for you
but it will not be for long. Anne. 1t
will Just give him chance OF liie'
He will not believe 1t. He will know
that 1t is untrue, that we are trying 10
give him peace OF mind.
HELL know nothing of the SORT Anne.
You see, Lopez will tell his story, and It's
quite possible we shall get confession
out of Herbert Meriet. That Will prove
that the boy left Marseilles IN the marie
Joseph, The rest you can leave TO me.
know a man out In South Anerlca-Nal-
naraiso. the very port the vessel was
bound for. I'll cable him full instructions.
He will cable back and then write let
ter"
"But lack will make inquiries
How can he make inquiries, when he
won't be able to leave his bed TOT Two
months. even II everything goes on all
riEht?" 81
He rose from his chair and laid his
hand on her shoulder.
Anne, dear" he said in low voice
''I know you've got the pluck to do this.
II isn't every woman who could do H.
But you can"
without speaking. Then she burst into
tears.
''Yes, yes" she sobbed. 1T will try
with Gods help-I will succeed"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16
cHAPrER XXXYIII.

Two days later Herbert Meriet died. He
left behind him the following confession,
which was taken down In shorthand in the
presence of Or. Benson, Lord Wimberley
and Mr.. Murray. 1t was not until he knew
that he could not live that he would an-
swer any questions. Then, with such
strength as was left 20 him. he made a
clean breast OF everything, Many OF the
facts were ELECTED by croBs-examination,
but the following statements. in which the
events are put forth more clearly and
eonelsely, is the one he signed before ne
died
1T was my brother William who first
learned OF Dicks plan to kldnap young
Wimberley. He came 10 me with the news.
and our first idea was to go to the boy
mother and get a big sum OF money ouL
OF her In return for our valuable informa-
tion. On talking the matter over. how
ever, We came to the conclusion that It
would be better IL We got the money
from Dick. We had an interview with
him, and after a good deal OF discus
sion ne promised 70 give US 1ve thousand
a year apiece when he came into the titles
and estates. but only on condition that
We helped him to get rid not only Of the
boy but OF his uncle, Lord Arthur Merlel.
We sgresd to this. ana from that time
onward We three worked together may
say that al that time We did not know
that Dick had secretly married a French
woman under another name ana had a
son who would one day inherit the title
and estates.
we decided that Vsrtigan. who had
already helped Dick IN bis attempt 10
kionap the bog at 81 Pancras, vas not 70
pe told of this partnership. and that Dick
VAS % make al arrangements with the
mas when the time citnz for aclion.
hhie ee we're stili laying cur nIans
tHa alteupla Hefe mede - mar Who
4tHz4 I4aeIf Dr Andersen e iat4 tns
etf a4 tFan Hzfpaze TaI4 a
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16

give chase. If they had done so they
would have returned and found a good
part of the money gone. Dick and William
had arranged with me to try and get
some of the money before they went to
meet the motorboat and secure the boy.
However, this plan failed. 1 motored
around to the Walton backwater where
ii was arranged my brothers should pick
me up before the morning. They did not
put in to the mouth of the creek until 1t
was nearly daylight. They then told me
that they had paid a visit to the island,
and removed the body of Doctor Ander-
son. 1t had occurred to them that If no
body were found, the police would find
their tack very much more difficult, and
1t might even be believed that Lord
Arthur had made a mistake in thinking
Doctor Anderson dead. They loaded the
body with iron ballast and sank 1t in
one of the main channels. ] abandoned
the motorcar just outside Walton, and
some dishonest person must have thought
1t a good opportunity for making off with
1t. do not know how 1t got to Richmond
Park.
I'VE then set sail for Berck. We had
arranged that when we reached the place
Dick should take his son on board. and
that / and my brother William should
take Guy Wimberley south by train to
Marseilles. From there William was to
book passage for himself and the boy
disguised as a girD to Valparaiso, and
L was to return, home and turn my at
tention to Lord Arthur. The boy was
never TO reach Valparaiso. He was to
fall overheard one night. That arrange
ment seemed TO leave us way of escape
IL we were caught. 1t would be hard to
prove that the boys death was not due
to an accident.
well, you know how fate dealt with
our plans. Dick and his son were drowned
Of the coast OF Spain. and the Marie
Joseph was lost at sea. / was now the
heir to the estates and titles, and so far
my name had been kept entirely out Of
the business.
ut was who fired the shot at Lord
Wimberley. The rife Is probably still at
the bottom OF the lake at Monksilver. /
was not in my rooms In London that
night. but the landlady was a friend OF
mine and only too glad to do me good
turn.
well, we have failed-alI three OF us
and paid the penalty OF failure with our
lives. That Is as 1t should be. A gambler
who plays high must be prepared TO lose
all. HERBERT MBRIET."
This statement was read out to John
Erleigh, almost before the ink of the sig
nature was dry. And 1t was then ana not
till then, that Lord Wimbsrley took some
sheets Of himsy paper from his pocket
and told the great lie that was TO save
John Erleigh's life.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16

For the following suggestions sent in. ny
resderB OF the EvKSING LBfsER prizes Of u
AMI 30 cents are awarded.
AZ Suggsstions should be addressed g Ellen
LHroEH. Independence Square, Philadelphia
Evening journal., 1915-02-15
RLrMENTHAL WILL FILEn.

The will of the late Ferdinand Blu
mental, head of the leather firm of f.
Blumenthal and Company of New
York and this city disposes of his
holdings in this country, estimated TO
be worth at least 100000 A codicll
in the will sets forth that a will made
in France disposes of his estate there.
Mr.. Blumenthal died on a steamer
hound for this country last October.
The testator left a valuable collec-
tion of Barbison paintings, including
many Carrots, and costly rugs and
bric-a-bac in his home in Paris. This
collection, with the house, goes 20 Mrs
Cecilia Blumenthal. the widow.
The will filed in this country gives
$4,000 TO Mrs Blumenthal to devote
to such charities as she may see fit
She also receives one-fourth of the
residue OF the estate outright. and an
other fourth in trust for life. and ar
her death her share is TO be divided
between the two sons. Cecil Charles
and Joseph Ferdinand William Blu
menthal. The sons receive one-fourth
the residue each outright
Cecil Charles Blumenthal is TO re-
ceive so per cent. of the stock of f..
Blumenthal and Company il he re-
mains manager OF the concern for FIVE
years after the death of his father.
There is a bequest Of S25. 900 to Lucille
Vesnitch, of Paris. a niece as a mar
riage portion.
Evening journal., 1915-02-15
finest or CROPS
FROM PENNSY FARM

Delawares possibilities as one of
the foremost producers of fruits, vege-
tables. and other agricultural products
is proven beyond doubt by a survey
Of the exhibit in the windows of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company's city
ticket office on Market street above
Ninth. The products -*ere grown on
the company's experimental station at
Bacon. Del. a few miles north of
Laurel This farm. prior to the taxi
ing over of it by the company was
considered worthless by the farmers
I'm that vicinity. Under the manage
ment of scientific farmers. however, it
has proven to be valuable farm.
Arthur f. Walker. formerly of YER
mont, and a graduate of Delaware
College is now manager of the farm,
and he is also in charge of the exhibit,
which has been shown in many of the
large cities of the East. 1t consists Of
about % preserved specimens of the
various products grown on the farm to
demonstrate to the farmers of Della
ware the great opportunities which
confront them.
Many expressions OF WOnueI nave
been heard from the different persons
who had occasion to visit the offices.
One man, an agent for a Florida fruit
exchange, declared that the exhibit
would do credit to a California State
fair People can hardly realize that
such wonderful specimens could have
been grown in Delaware. The exhibit
will act as an encouragement to the
farmers and will show them what a
little science will do.
Among the specimens are several
varieties OF grapes. watermelons that
make the mouth water, giant aspara-
gus. corn. beans, caulifower. "crim-
son clover" of honey. cucumbers, okra
two kinds of squash. cantaloupes
plums. gooseberIies, currants. "Impe-
rial" peas. Golden Russet and York
Imperial" apples. peaches and MANY
others These specimens are of the
largest and finest quality and one
would be surprised to learn that they
had been grown a comparatively few
miles from Wilmington.