The daily Alaskan., 1915-01-11
UNCLE
 FRANK
How lie COnIrived a Merry
 Christmas
By E. A. MITCHEL

'''''s'
 When NIT. and Mrs. Luther ElwoOd agreed to separate they left everything pertaining to their separation To Frank ElwUod. the husbands brother, who was d lawyer. This meant not only that he was to procure the divorce meut. but to arrange for the care of the children. and be was given carte blanche to take any measure in the premises he might see fit.
 Frank placed all the blame for the trouble on his brother, who had been somewhat gay during his bachelor hood and was not inclined to give up his attentions to other women after his marriage. His wife was very rigid as to the actions of her husband and made him feel that he was too Circum- scribrd Frank eudravOrCd 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 So far demean herself as to accept them from another womans husband, and be had better acCede to his wife'S wishes and con fine himself to her. But Luther de clared that bis attentions to other wo' men were harmless and he did not propose to be dictated to by a jealous woman.
 Whereupon the lawyer laid down the following plan for the couples guid- 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 aud mother would be permitted to visit their otf' spring once q month, the father on the lst, 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 ceedingS were pending, and. since the couple could find no oue else on whom they could agree to manage the affair they finally gave in and left it Tn Franks hands
 In June Frank ElwOOd informed his brother and his siSter-in-law that their legal separation would be completed in siy months. On the 2Oth of Decem Der he notified them that the decree wonld be granted early in January. and be desired them to call at his or ice on the 23d of December for the purpose of making certain transfers or property that had hrcn agreed upon out of court. On the 2%d he informed them that the papers would not be ready for signature till after office hour, the next day !!c therefore np pointed IL, meeting to take place at thrir home &t , D m sharp
 "Tuinorruw evening" exclaimed In. rhcr Elwood Why. that's Christmas eve"
 .'Guud gracious," exclaimed Edith Elwood "The awful man. to bring us together at our old home for such T purpose on Christmas evc!
 The attorney was called to the tele rhone 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 it 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 Il 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 iu her employ ever since her marriage.
 Christine" she said, 'l have m ap- pointment here at 5 and have come ahead of time in order to see the chil, l dren."
 "Yes'm. I'll tell Mrs. Albright" The lady went into tue living room and stood before a fire blazing brightly on the hearth. The maid went upstairs and returned with a message from the woman who had the care of the chil- dren that she had no orders from Mir. Frank ElYood to permit Mrs. Elwood