The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-30
A Parting
Dinner
BY ALAN HlNSDAE

1
been a mistake. The sooner mistake
is rectified the better. I am going to
leave you"
THAT'S not a bad idea," said tho
husband. "a bit Of freedom from this
new life that neither Of US has vet
become used to will give US breath
ing spell, and II we come together
again we will appreciate each other
all the more for It"
"That IF Is well put In"
"And If we don't come together
again just think Of the fun wen
havev'
"FunT
Eyes. 1 can remain out at a poker |
party till 5 o'clock in the morning If |
| l like, smoke and drink to my hearts
! content, spend no end Of time sitting
| on a stool before glove counter with
a pretty girl on the other side smooth
Ing down my fingers with her soft
hand
eff these things are SO delightful to
you why did you marry?"
II haven't come to your own enjoy
ments consequent on the break yet.
You can sit all day beside your moth
or, holding her hand and listening to
her advice to you how to manage
husband. Won't that be just too nice
for anything!"
"If you loved me one-tenth as well
as mamma does there would be no
need of a separation
ooh. l could never compete with
mothers love! That Is not TO be ex-
pected l suppose that's what gives
her right to tell you just what course
to take respecting your husband. Now
that you're going to leave me, her ad-
! vice with respect to me will be no
longer necessary, and I wonder what
you and she will talk about when you
nestle down for morning chin-chin.'
She was inclined to think that. the
one interesting topic being removed,
, the chin-chin would be rather dull, but
; she did not say 80,
There's one thing propose to do"
continued the provoking husband. AS
soon as you are gone I'm going to
| take down these curtains. have en-.
, dured them simply for your sake
They shut out the light"
Indeed, you will do no such thing"
"Why SO? It will not matter to you
) whether there are curtains here or
not. l shall make q smoking room OF
. this. and you have always declared
!; that when smoke gets into curtains
r it's hard to get it out"
"a smoking room Of this cozy apart
l. ! ,,,o,%f yyhv I orro god vthin q
here myself
1 $50 you did, and a delightful room
) you made of it. l remember when ]
e first saw it l thought how many de.
lightful seances we would have here
|. I little thought that a few short
s months would end it ALL"
"Whose fault is it,"
> mime
# "Why don't you do better?'
d II can't. I'm naturally wicked. II
< l We're not you wouldn't need tt
If leave me-"
"Of course l don't want to leave
), you, but you can't expect me to endure
d such treatment forever"
Certainly not deserve 1t all. Blu
d it's sad to think Of my having to dis
10 mantle this pretty room for a lot O.
y, fellows who will throw cigar and pip
ashes all over the carpet and
10 "They will do no such thing!
you're going to have those horrid mel
a. here I--I-won't"-
won't go?"
ID Eyes, I'm going. l have come +
that decision after long and careful
y deliberation."
v "And consultation with your mother.
10 This was home thrust.
IF there Is any one who know
ry what is best for the child she ha
: cared for and loved from babyhood
is surely her mother"
Sc 81 agree with you Therefore tn
rs daughter should never leave her moth
I err"
1.-THE daughter is not expected t
he marry IA
he Brute! But we are wasting time
er When do you go?"
IL Are You In haste to be rid of mel"
lis mot at all. l merely wish to max
arrangements for your departure
he Will you permit me to see you to you
a mothers house?"
sw 'Who said was going to mamma r
Is. Every well. l will take you whel
list ever you wish to CO."
ny you'll have to dine elsewhere tt
GU day. have made no preparations fo
OIL dinner here"
Suppose we have a last dinner q
ac' SINNERS, with q bottle of that win
an you like so well?"
lat She hesitated. and he suggested tina
she telephone her mother that sh
would not arrive till after dinner. Thi
er' last reference to her mother. thong
Ut highly respectful, called a frown
ey the wifes brow. Nevertheless sh
ne went to the phone and sent the me!
sage Then she dressed for the Dime
ne, and came downstairs looking yer
ng lugubrious.
"Have you sent your baggageT b
Il asked mildly