Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1922-03-08
THE WATCHERS
ey 9. HELM ANDERSON
SeSeSeSeSeS SSeS9SgSeSS9eSf
q 032. By Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate

G AAS OToWuS nhU Doen married Tor ten
years and nothing had marred their
happiness. They had been content with
each others society for IL months of
each Of the ten years that is, until
within the past three or four days.
Something, an indescribable some.
thing. had crept into the atmosphere
heretofore 80 calm. It was that !n-
ffnitesimal something on which no
finger can be laid. Mr.. Brown first
noticed 1t by the scared, wistful
glances Of his wife. She seemed to
watch him furtiscly, and when she
saw him glance o. her. would look
away quickly. She seemed to have
something on her mind. Perhaps she
was tired of him. The more he thought
OF that the stronger he was convinced.
Well. he'd watch her closely and prove
It.
On the other hand, Mrs. Brown first
noticed the change In Mr. Brown when
he started to watch her with that
searching, questioning look. The
thought entered her mind that he was
comparing her with some one. Who
was it2 Perhaps younger, prettier.
woman. Every time she looked at him
she caught him just looking away.
She decided she would watch him care
fully In an attempt to fathom this mys-
terry.
The days went by even as days will.
MIR. Brown kept close Becretive sur
vey Of his wife. He noticed with alarm
the increasing signs Of her nervous,
ness and caught her many times look
ing at him with the same half-scared
wistful glances. He felt that he must
speak about It, ask her what she
meant. or even suggest a separation
anything was better than this, under
current Of mystery.
On this particular morning he no
ticed that she was even more nervous
and he decided to learn the truth.
Carrie, er-er." he suffered.
"Yes, John," she answered, rather
nervously.
"Did the paper come this morningr'
he finished lameay.
She got the paper for him and he
opened II, giving semblance Of read
ing it, but all the time he kept
close survey OF his wife, who In turn,
thinking him deep in the paper.
watched him more openly than be-
fore. Nothing Of this escaped Mr..
Brown. It seemed that things had
about reached the climax he had
come definitely to the conclusion that
Mrs. Brown was dissatisfied, had
found other interests, but was too
tlmid to say anything to him about 1t.
Well, he wasn't.
Carrie, er-er."" he started again.
eyes, John"
"Er-have you read about this muir
der case7" he finished.
For the next five minutes, he re-
lated the details Of the murder and
trial, but his words We're a mere
cloak for thoughts far nearer to him.
Well, he'd speak about 1t tomorrow
or perhaps-yes, he'd write a note
and leave 1t on her dresser just before
he left for work.
Meanwhile Mrs. Brown had become
fully convinced that Jonn wanted to
tell her something, but was afraid to,
as 1t might hurt her. She was now
quite sure that he was tired Of her
and dissatisfied with married life. Per-
haps he even wanted q divorce. A d.
vorce! A dry sob came to her throat.
And she still loved him. Well, she
could prove her love by making things
easier for him. She knew that her
emotions would overcome her II she
ventured to tell him that she would
not stand in his way any longer. Yes.
she would send note to his Office by
special messenger so that he would
receive it the first thing this morn.
ing.
SO it came about that, when Mr..
Brown opened his mail. he found the
following note:
"My Dear John: Something strange
In your manner recently has convipced
me that you are unhappy. Even though
my feelings toward you have remained
unchanged, will no longer stand in
your way, and (here large blot, evil
IDENTIFY tear. smeared the page) / will
let you have divorce. want you
to be happy. CARRIE"
Mr.. Brown gasped, read the note
again, and still third time. Then he
called the Office boy, told him he'd be
out for the rest Of the day, and board
ed the first homeward bound car. He
found Mrs. Brown just finishing read.
ing the note he had left.
"Carrie I"
"Johnl"
And he clasped her In his arms.
"What made you look at me so
funnyT' Mr.. Brown asked after they
had fully recovered their senses.
"Why, thought you were watching