Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-02-04
Margaret CARROTS
Husband
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
CHAPTER CXXYIT.
By JANE PHELPS
X X X X X y X x X X X X

CHAPTER CXXVIT.
My husband had meant all the world
to me. More than father, mother or chill
dren. had loved him so much, strug-
gled so hard the last year, that 1 was
worn out both mentally and physically.
1t was perhaps wrong to adore man
as / did Bob-to the exclusion of all
else. Now that L knew he loved some
one else, it seemed to take ell my
strength from me. But l did not deceive
myseIt. knew l had lost nIm compete
".
Ii people would only understand my
side. The wife IS side. But L felt sure
they would not, that l would be blamed.
must have it over as soon as possible.
When l again broached the subject
to Bob, and told him it must all be
finished at once, he again offered to re-
main with me. Yet when | quietly re-
fused to accept his sacrifice he could
not conceal the joy that shone in his
eyes.
How he managed it I do not know.
But the case was heard before referee.
Fortunately we did not live in New
York where the divorce laws arc very
strict.
He made over the house to me-the
home where l had expected to be so
happy and where l had suffered. He also
put in trust certain amount for me
in case anything happened to his busi-
ness.
"eYou are not to touch it unless it
becomes a necessity he told me.
+" Your allowance will come to you each
month, and | will make it larger as the
boys grow older" His voice quiyered
as he spoke of the boys, but otherwise
he attended to all arrangements in d
calm matter of fact way that went far
to keep me steady also.
Then when we talked of the boys. We
planned their education, even the
schools they would attend.
"I cannot bear the thought OF hav-
ing stated times to see them, Margaret,
but it shall be as you say. shall not
intrude. ~
"'They belong to you as much as to
me. See them whenever you wish, - L
made answer.
"You are very generous, Margaret. "
All things have an ending, even
things we think we cannot bear, cannot
live through. So this too came to an
end. I had my divorce. Bob was free
to marry the woman he loved-after a
certain time had elapsed.
'FI have only one thing more to tell
you, Margaret" he said on his last
day at home, and it is that have sold
my business and shall not live in New
York. Perhaps that knowledge will
make it easier for you / hesitated on
account of being unable to see the boys
as often as l would like, but finally I
closed the deal. I shall take entire
charge Of the western end of the pub
fishing business and live in Chicago.'
"I think you are wise, Bob," an
swered evenly. "You will be happier
than in the real estate business. Elsie
says you were never cut out to sell
houses and lots"
"She is right. WASH 'ti'
l find that can write no more of
that last day. 1t hurts too much even
now. Suffice it to say he had gone.
Donald was told that daddy was 60
ing away for a long time on business.
George was too young to understand.
Della knew. And l was often glad that
she did She was so thoughtful, so ten
der with me and the boys, that came
to look upon her more as friend than
q servant. And God knew l needed
friends.
Elsie was. the same dear old eheerer-
up, and spent much time with me in
those first awful days of loneliness.
Mother and father were too astonished
to object. And when I took all the
blame, mother held me close and said:
"In some way good will come to
you dear. l know it will
The others, Bob's friends, and the
last few months mine, were kind, if a
little cold John Kendall and Elinor
were just the same as ever. The war
with Germany was engaging the interest
of the world, and John was soon to
leave for France to investigate condi-
tions.
~ can t let him go on such mission.
Think what it would mean if we, the
United States were at war. Then I
should have to let him go to fight
maybe to be killed." Elinor had said
one morning when she came over with
the news.
"There's no danger we will be drawn
into it, is there3'' | asked. "Even the
dreadfulness of war had paled before
my own troubles and for weeks 1 had
paid no attention to the news
John seems to think not; that is un-
less the Germans should be guilty of
some overt act. 1t is lucky he can de-
pend ON Bob to look after the business
while he is away. The western end of
it has never run smoothly until now,
he tells me.'
Elinor never avoided speaking of
Bob. She used his name as naturally as
if he were still with me. I think she
wanted to comfort me. And strangely
it did. I never questioned her, never
myself spoke of Bob to her, but I was
glad when she talked of him. It brought
him nearer in a way.
fTomorrow-A Childish Confident9