The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1915-02-04
HIS
.PUNlsH INTENT
BY F. A. mitchell

ton OF energy on the WOrQ nlm
Dorothy Doane, engaged to Tom Ar
mold. had called ut his house to see
his mother about arrangements for the
wedding. 1t happened that Tom and
his friend. Ned Winthrop. We're in the
smoking room and unconscious Of
Dorothys presence in the adjoining
parlor. She overheard her fance talk
ing with his chum. Ned was saying:
80 you're to be swung off next
week? Poor fellow! You'll feel like a
muzzled dog. u chained dog, a dog
with his tail between his legs. IL you
smoke she'll bother you till you give it
up that she may have the money you
spend on it for hats. II you stay at
home much of the time she'll make
you feel what it is to have a man
about the house all day. II you so
out she'll accuse you Of leaving her to
nope at home while you are enjoying
yourself in tie gay world. AS for me.
she'll brook no rivalry. She'll freeze
me out the first
Dorothy heard no more. for at this
point Tom shut the door,
The honeymoon was over, and Ned
Winthrop was invited to spend the
week end at the newly m cou-
pies country place w. IN
vited him Ned tried to beg o. by say
ing he had no mind to lie snubbed by
the bride with view to breaking off
the last vestige of intimacy between
himself and the husband. But Tom
urged him, and he gave in. Mrs. Ar
mold received him cordially.
Moreover, she had provided a young
lady friend to meet him.
Miss Kate Rathbone had been select
ed from all of Mrs. Arnold's acquaint-
ances as the most competent person to
make him eat his words overheard by
her before her marriage. The hearts
Miss Rathbone had smashed We're like
the sands Of the sea. Men had fought
over her, had moaned over her and
groaned over her. And now Ned had
been brought to the house in order to
be made to suffer for his structures on
wives.
The net was set Immediately. Miss
Rathbone gave Mr.. Winthrop glance
the moment Of their meeting intended
to give him to understand that her
breath had been quite taken away by
his Apollo-like appearance. She was
very gracious to him at dinner and
when left alone with him on the We
randa in the moonlight turned her face
SO that the. heavenly orb might rest
upon it, softened her voice to dove
like tones and used her eyes without
mercy.
Mr.. Winthrop appeared at least to be
deeply moved by his fair companion.
He was bright man. a good CONVEX
sationalist. which with him meant to
listen attentively. His voice was bari
tone, but he seldom used it, though
when he did it was with good effect.
For two days he was under the fas-
cinations Of Miss Rathbone, and when
Monday came, being invited to pro-
long his visit. consented to do so.
Mrs. Arnold was much pleased at
the way her scheme Of punishment
was progressing. Her husband was
obliged to go to. the city during the
day, but returned the same after
noon. Mrs. Arnold busted herself with
her household duties while he was alb
sent, leaving her guests to entertain
each other.
Every day it was expected that Ned
Winthrop would break down before
Kate Rathbone and beg for mercy.
There was certainly every Indication
that he would. He showed plainly
that he was about to drop into the
bottomless pit that had been dug for
him. He hung on Miss Rathbone's
every word. If she remained long in
her room for her afternoon siesta he
walked about forlorn. and his face
frightened at her appearance. Mrs.
Arnold did not scruple to do some
eavesdropping. hoping to hear the pro-
posal.
At the end of ten days Winthrop re-
marked ruefully that his affairs in the
city were suffering and he must re-
turn. Mrs. Arnold urged him to re-
main, and Miss Rathbone looked I'M
happy ut the prospect of his departure.
He was easily persuaded and the CAM
paign was prolonged. But there was
every indication that a capitnlation
would occur at any moment.
On the morning of the thirteenth (un-
lucky day of this scheme of punish
ment Mr.. Winthrop did not appear at
breakfast A servant reported that he
had started for the railway station for
the $50 train. The two conspirat0rs
looked at each other in dismay. Then
a maid brought the hostess a note left
by her guest apologizing for his abrupt
departure. He had received tele-
phone message during the night that
his presence was needed in the city.
When the postman came he brought
letter for Miss Rathbone from friend.
She read It and handed It to Mrs. Ar
mold. 1t ran as follows:
I understand that woman hater. lady
killer Ned winthrop. is Of your party at
the Arnolds'. Although you are adept at