Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-02-09
UNCLE
FRANK
How lie Coatrived Q Merry
Christmas
By E. A. mitchell

Z By r. A. mitchell :
&.+&+ss++st++&***%*++$s++*
When Nj. and Mrs. Luther Elwood
agreed to sepurate they left everything
pertaining to their separation to Frank
Elwood. the husbands brother. who
was a lawyer. This meant not only
that he was to procure the divorce.
ment. but to, arrange for the care OF
the children. and he was given carte
blanche to take any measure In the
premises he might see at.
Frank placed all the blame for the
trouble on his brother. who had BEEN
somewhat gay during bis bachelor
hood and was not inclined to give up
his attentions to other women after bis
marriage. His wife was very rigid a.
to the actions Of her husband and
made him feel that he was too circum'
scribed Frank endeavored to con-
vince his brother that the home was
|of far more importance than the pleas
ure to be derived from attentions to
any woman who would 30 far demean
herself as to accept them from another
woman's husband. and he had better
uccede to his wife's wishes and con-
fine himself to her. But Luther de-
clared that his attentions to other wo-
men were harmless and he did not
propose to lie dictated to by a jealous
woman
Whereupon the lawyer laid down the
following plan for the couples guild
ance: Both should leave the home and
reside elsewhere. The children were
to be left where they were under the
care Of a woman to be provided for
the purpose The father and mother
would be permitted to visit their on.
spring once a month, the father on the
list, the mother on the 18th. The law.
yer agreed to procure the divorce as
soon as possible.
This plan was objected to BY both
parties, whereupon Frank Elwood de.
clared that he would have nothing to
do with the matter. But It was essen
tial that the care Of the children be
provided for while the divorce pro-
csedings were pending. and, since the
couple could find no one else on whom
they could agree to manage the affair.
they finally gave In and left It In
Franks hands.
In June Frank Elwood Informed his
brother and his sister-in-law that their
legal separation would be completed
In six months. On the Goth Of Decem.
Der he notified them that the decree
would be granted early In January,
and he desired them to call at his Of
Gee ON the 23d Of December for the
purpose Of making certain transfers OF
property that had been agreed upon
out of court. On the sd be informed
them that the papers would not be
ready for signature till after office
hours the next day. He therefore ap-
pointed the meeting to take place at
their home at p. N. sharp.
Tomorrow EVENING" exclaimed Lu'
Their Elwood. "Why. that's Christmas
eve"
"Good graciousg'' exclaimed Edith
Elwood. 1.-The awful man. to bring US
together at our old home for such a
purpose on Christmas eve"
The attorney was called to the tele-
phone by both parties for the purpose
Of protesting against the place OF meet
ing, and both were answered that the
heating apparatus in the building
where Frank had his Office was out Of
commission, that no other place was
available, that a winter storm which
was raging rendered 1t necessary that
some warm place should be selected
and that the place provided would be
both warm and comfortable. This end.
ed the argument. and both the husband
and wife gave a reluctant assent
At a quarter to Mrs. Elwood ran
up the steps of what had been her
home, rang the bell and was admitted
by a maid who had been in her employ
ever since her marriage.
"Christine," she said, II have an ap
pointment here at and have come
ahead Of time in order to see the chill
dren."
"Yes'm. I'll tell Mrs. Albright"
The lady went into the living room
and stood before a fire blazing brightly
on the hearth. The maid went upstairs
and returned with message from the
woman who had the care OF the chill
dren that she had no orders from Mr.
Frank Elwood to permit Mrs Elwood
to see the children except on her regu
lar day.
This was, indeed, a disappointment
The mother wiped away tear. then
began pacing back and forth before
the 6re till there was a ring at the
doorbell anu her husband was ushered
Into the room. he bowed deferential.
u. but the wife did not return bis 81.
lutte. He took seat By the fire, and
she sat down as far from him az pos
sible. Neither spoke till the clock
struck 8. when the husband remarked:
"Frank said we were to be punctual.
He is going to be late himself"
HE should be ashamed to bring rs
together here. Of all places. on Christ.
mas eve"
"Perhaps he did It for my benefit
keing a bachelor. he doubtless under
stands that club is no place for
man at Christmas time"
Zone would suppose that this home.
into which you brought me happy
bride. would be the last place you
would wish to come on Christmas eve.
especially since you broke the prom
lses you then made"
II 1idn't break any promises. II
vas simply your inOrdinate Jealousy
that rendered life unbearable. This
separation has been all your fault"
"Not at all; It has been yours. But
we have not met for recriminato ton"
"You are right. For my part. l am
content to await Franks coming and
then have the whole affair over with
forever"
"Yes. forever"
he drew a newspaper from bis pock.
ct and began to read. She took up q
book. Several minutes OF silence pass
ed. when the maid appeared and said: