The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1922-11-16
.Jim's Cousin
Annie
By CLARA DELAFIELD

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. <Sf~S|fS<r<SS<-TSTNF~~N~
Copyright, 1922, Western Newspaper Union.
1--WE only got one thing to ask YOU"
said Myra Ray to her husband. since
your Cousin Annie has insisted on
fastening herself on us for a week,
please don't let her see what a fend
you are to me-"
"All right, If youll try not to
wrangle with me every instant of the
day." answered her husband, Jim.
From which it may be inferred that
the married life Of the Rays was not
devoid Of prlckles.
As a matter Of fact, they were fond
of each other. But the second year or
marriage Is the one that requires the
most careful adjustment. And some
both were unequal
to it.
Cousin Annie had lived in the West
for years. Jim remembered her only
as a little thing with whom he used to
hlrt on the way to school. He did not
tell Myra this, but when Cousin Annie
arrived, with her blue eyes and blonde
curls, she feared the worst.
II was not long before Cousin Annie
discovered how the land lay. Jim had
Guarreled with his food that morning.
The grapefruit was too thick, and the
coffee was too thin. He flung out Of
the house. storming, Myra let her tears
flow.
"Tm ashamed for you to see the way
he treats me, Annie" she said, but
now you know the worst. And to
think / have to face a whole life with
him."
mot necessarily" said Cousin An
ME. shaking her blonde curIs.
"What do you mean, Annie|
Cousin Annie laid a hand on her
shoulder "You poor thing" she said
Don't you see that Jim Ray is impos-
sible, simply impossible to live WITH
No woman could stand for such man.
why don't you get a dlyorceT
"a divorce?" gasped Myra, and the
tears flowed afresh. Tin always
hoping that he'll grow kinder to me-"
Cousin Annie said nothing more.
Myra was sorry she had taken such a
violent dislike to Jim. She would
hardly speak to him, and If Jim liked
her, he kept it to himself pretty well.
Myra, always on the watch, could dis
cover no signs of secret passion.
STILL jim and Myra did meet-at
times. When Myra had headache
one afternoon, Cousin Annie went to
the village to do her shopping. She
met Jim on his way home, and they
walked up the Hill together.
poor Jim said Cousin Annie, lay
ing her hand upon his sleeve. "Oh, /
think you're one Of the noblest men
I've ever met But there, shouldn't
have said so much. Forgive meP
go on and tell me why" said Jim
In a hollow voice
do you think | haven't eyes?" de-
manded Cousin Annie. "Oh, it's mon
strous, to have to face long life with
one who Is not a kindred soul. Jim,
forgive me for being so frank"
"What am | to do?' asked Jim.
Cant you stand lt?
"No" Numbered Jim. 1--WE reached
the end of my tether. She told me this
morning that | was the most useless
man about the house she'd ever known
Man about the house, indeed"
81 think" said Cousin Annie, "that
when two people can't agree, they are
better off separate. Oh Jim, II only
you had chosen more wisely, Do yor
remember-Y
eyes, | can't forget it" said Jim.
There was no need to explain. i
referred to "A certain moonlight nigh
years before, stars, hammocks, hands
waists and lips. 1t was not important
They had reached the grounds. Cou
sin Annie deliberately stood on tipto'
and pressed her lips to Jim's.
chats what | think of you," sh'
said
The woman at the upstairs window
| who saw the little episode, fell back II
/ her chair. Her worst suspicious wer
verified. At that moment she knew
that Jim was everything In life to hei
Jim, going to his wife's bedroom
found her half-swooning. He kneele
beside her, his heart burning with re
morse. He had never really cared 70
| Cousin Annie. He thought she ha
acted slyly. The touch of her lips ha
been detestabie.
Darling what Is it?' he cried.
81 saw her kiss you, jim. It's a
over now. Leave me! Tomorrow l.
90 back to mothers"
II took an hour to convince Myr
that Cousin Annie was anathema
Jim. Then Myra's anger burst II
bounds
"She wanted me to get divorce
Jim" she cried. "Shes the wickedes
most trcacherous woman I've eve
known. She pretended IT was becaus
you treated me 50 badly, and all ii
while she wanted you I'm going dow
to have It out with her-darling,"
ON come too, sweetheart" saI
Jim
But Cousin Annie was not to /
found. She was gone her bag WI
gone; and on the table lay n lette
Myra and Jim read simultaneously
"Good-by folks. Sorry to leave (
uncercmonlously but my times up ar
my husband won't let me stay AZ
longer. Dear old mother sent me dow
to see how the land lay, because 81
heard you two didn't get on as well
YOU ought I'm going to tell her you