The Wisconsin weekly blade. [volume] (Madison, Wis.) 1916-1925, 1917-02-08
Fred Bowers
Scheme
1t Worked In a Way He Had
Not Counted On
By ETHEL HOLMES

shrew has never been explained. We
have stories Of men who have COM
mitted this paradoxical folly, one only
giving an account of what kind of
life the husband lived after marriage.
Petruchio in Shakespeare's play of
Tanning of Shrew'' brought his
wife Katherine to subsection by sim
ply out-Heroding Herod, but this is
not realism: 1t is rather extravaganza.
Shakespeare wrote the play during the
period that shrews in England were
brought to terms by the ducking STOOL
and it is questionable if they remain
ed conquered even after promising to
be good,
Ward Stanley was young man of
independent means. He had nothing
to 20 out amuse himself. This he did
from May till November in mis- yacht.
the Eaglet Stanley was at home on
the water. his own sailing master. and
never gave up the CON mand to any
one else. Had ne been thrown on his
own resources he could have secured
a berth as master of vessel. Fortu-
nately, he possessed the means to run
his own ship.
1t would have been better for Ward
Stanley had he kept his yacht in COM
mission all winter. for In that case he
would probably have been removed
from the temptation of falling in love
with a shrew. AS 1t was. during the
festivities attending the ice season he
met Sophia Wartrace, and in a very
short time she was leading him about
with a hook, turning now and again
to give him a cut with her sharp
tongue.
Nor was it with her tongue aloHe
that she abused him. Skating with
him. she led him across an air hole
and when he scrambled out dripping
with cold water laughed at him. Sail
ing with him in an iceboat, she pur-
pOsely upset 1t, shooting herself and
him hundred yards over the smooth
surface. Rather than forego the de-
light Of risking bis life, she risked her
own.
There is no denying that Sophia was
a very pretty girl. She possessed a
trim figure, swapping black eyes and
rosy cheeks, which latter fairly glowed
when she was enjoying winter sports.
But whether or no she would have
dominated Stanley had she been as
ugly as her tongue was vicious is a
question. Many homely women have
dominated men. Yet Miss Wartrace's
beauty was doubtless an important ele.
ment in her influence over Stanley.
1t was said that she accepted him
because a betrothal would enable her
to prod him more virulently. This was
the opinion of her sister Gwen, who
was supposed to know her better than
any one else. Certain 1t is that as
soon as the engagement took place
SANKEY'S misery was greatly enhanced.
Doubtless Sophia occasionally whisked
about and cOddled him, but she was
never seen by others to treat him even
with forbearance.
Now and again the poor man turned
like the worm. During the first month
OF their engagement he broke 1t five
times. After the fifth he found so
much misery in his endeavors to re-
new it that he gave up this method
OF asserting himself and settled down
to the abject position of n slave.
Wards chum, Fred Bowers, aware
Of his friends suffering tried in vain
TO inject into him spirit : resistance.
After continual failure Powers advised
Stanley to be married and. having once
got his tiancee in his power. to try the
Petruchio game. The infatuated man
assented TO the first part Of the prop
osltion. though he expressed no conf
dence in the second. When he asked
Sophia to fix day for the wedding she
did so without any urging. but Just
! before the final preparations were TO
De made she Cancelled the agreement.
Several times she named a day only
to ignore II. This was the hardest part
Of all that Stanley was forced to en-.
dure. Bowers tried 10 induce him to
go abroad. leaving the shrew TO re-
pent her treatment Of him and doubt.
less TO be morr kind TO him on his re.
turn. But THIS was entirely beyond
Wards power to achieve Several
months of such rehabilitation passed.
anS the poor fellow began to show
signs of nervous breakdown.
I'll tell you what you do, Ward -
said Fred. The Eaglet is in commits
sion. Invite your fiancee to take a
cruise, and, having her out at sea.
some method viii suggest itself OF get
trg grip on her. Once without pro
lection. she'll have to give in
x -an't invite her WITHOUT inviting
Z other women. can r.
Il have ii. Ask My sister. Helen
we must have a chaperon."
my aunt. Mary Campbell. She's
only five years older than l. and were
/ quite chrmmy. l can let both Mary
and Helen into the secret. and they'll
/ play into our hands beautifully"
well" said Ward after some
thought. your scheme is well enough.
and the party is all right. but l have
n