Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1915-02-12

anu It would De IhconvenTeht 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 sufficiently acquainted
with family requirements to realize
that the children would require theii
schools and still more their mother. lie
had always left them to her keeping
and did not relish their care. SO II was
agreed that he should go to live at q
distance. Not being actively occupied
II made no difference where he lived.
Mrs. Ellis did not ask her husband
the cause Of his desire for a separation.
therefore he did not make II known.
The truth Is that ordinary family jars
working on a man whose brain was
full OF matrimonial theories had led
him to take the course he did.
II was 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 ms
he snw her doing the work he won
dered how be was to get them IN
packed. for to this she had always
attended. and he had become absolute
" useless In either packing or unpack
ing.
When all wns ready Ellis kissed his
children. then turned to his wife. She
had turned away and was busyinP
herself putting some toilet articles in
his satchel. He assumed that she did
not wish to be kissed. and It give him
a pang. But II must be remembered
that he was not going nwny on nc
count Of a special quarrel or culmina
ton Of quarrels, but on general prin
ciples. He kissed all the children. and
they noticed hat be Rugged them very
close.
"why. papa" said little Ed. "yOu'rr
crying"
The only reply was n closer hug. As
Soon 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 ez
cept the mother.
There is no fool like the theoretiC
fool. He car go U,er 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 fuhric. Ellis fabric
was toppllng before he left home He
had no sooner got to his new quarters
and looked about him In n 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 nwuke trying to
form a plan whereby he might go home
and save his face Mt the same time.
First he thought that he would lay
down u series Of rules for the guild.
ance OF himself and his wife and II
she would agree to abide by them be
would go hume and try to live In pence
He even wrote out several Of these
rules. but tore them up He thought
Of vnrious expedients. but none seemed
practical.
In The morning when ali his plans
were discarded he wrote a note to his
wife admitting his mistake and asking
whether II be cnme home he would be
received MS 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 un automobile
and told the chauffeur to drive. TIRE
spective Of speed limit. to his home.
His wife met him at the door md
threw her arms about his 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 ones had
suspected that something wns wrong
In the fathers going aud we're 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 500 re
turned with the articles inquired for
Selling them. her husband tore them
into bits and threw them into the hrc
burning on the hearth.
"Wife." he said with animation. at
is my opinion that these newfangled
plans for trial marriages and easy al.
vOrces are for persons who either can't
get on together or have never been
married For you and me they are RI
diculous.
"They will not help those who are
happily married. and, as for those who
are unhhpplly married. God help themT
That was the end Of Ellis matrlmo
NAL theories. When hfter that he and
bis wife had a spat. according to an
agreement they made after his return.
they made It up before going TO sleep
that night This they found to be q
great advantage In many ways First.
Il ended the spat; second. It got them
used to cutting short their differ
ences; third. they sOon became used
10 considering such disageements as
mere explosions Of nervous irritation
and not worth explaining. At any rate,
they grew closer each rear. and today
Ellis wonders how be could have been
such a fool