The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-10-16
Their Likes
and Dislikes
Bv JUSTIN WENTWOOD


Doris Hamilton watched Jack
depart for the city and stood look
Ing after him from the door Of
their pretty house. The discovery
that she had made by accident had
profoundly altered the course Of
her life.
Jack had stayed in town once In
while till late, alleging that he
had a rush Of work. 1t was quite
by chance Doris had discovered
that he was taking his stenog-
rapher out to dinner.
They had been married only three
years, and, while not desperately
in love with each other, they
thought themselves very happy
couple. And now the other wOm-
an, that bugbear of every wife.
had appeared on the scene.
Everything seemed ut an end for
Doris. Why couldn't they have run
together in the same humdrum way
as the Ellersbys, for instance?
The Ellersbys were their best
friends. They lived across the
street. They had been married
nine years and were devoted.
And there was Maud Ellersby
coming across the road.
"Oh, Doris, dear, was wonder
ing IL you and Jack couldn't come
over and play bridge with us on
Saturday." she said.
IF Jacks home" answered Doris
in a shaky voice. And then she
found herself sobbing helplessly.
"Why, my dear, what is the mat
ter?"
"Oh. nothing-oh, Maud. J-Jack's
untrue to me and"
what nonsense, child! Why,
your husband is devoted to you
I only wish Harry thought as much
Of me as yours does Of you"
mo, that's only his h-h-hypocrit-
zeal way, Maud" sobbed Doris. II
found out that he's been taking his
stenographer out to dinner when
he's been pretending he had to
stay late at the office"
"Well, but. child, your husbands
got to have dinner, hasn't hep
asked Maud Ellersby practically.
"And she's got to eat. too"
"Oh, that sounds all very we'll.
but you're only s-saying it to COM
fort me-" sobbed Doris.
Maud took her by the arm.
"NOw I'll tell you something, dear"
she said. Harry must have taken
whole regiment of women out
to dinner since we've been married
and didn't care"
You don't care? Why. l thought
you loved each other"
I'VE do, Doris. And that's why.
Don't you see, the best man on
earth must get tired to death Of
always sitting down to dinner at
the same table and looking ut the
same woman. And If little in
nocent diversion makes him feel
better and come home happier"
ooh, but ! know he's in love with
her!" .sObbed Doris.
mot a hit of it, DEAR" replied
Maud stoutly. "A wife Is always
winner In the end, If she handles
her man properly. Give him all the
string he wants, only"
"Only what? Only what?'
"Don't let the knot slip through
your fingers" answered Maud,
laughing. And dry your eyes, my
child, and don't let him suspect
you care or know. That's fatal"
Doris obeyed. but she was dubi-
Gus in her heart. 1t seemed the
most terrible thing in the world to
her. And it was the hardest thing
in the world not to let Jack see
that she knew. Nevertheless she
did manage to preserve an ordi-
nary attitude toward him when he
appeared that night.
Though, when he took her in his
arms and kissed her, it was the
hardest thing not to burst into
tears upon his shoulder.
swell, dearest, business is boom.
ing this year." Jack cOnfided in her.
II think l shall be able to in
crease that allowance Of yours in
q little while. l wish my stenog-
rapher was not going to leave me.
though"
what, that Miss Rates?" gasped
Doris.
"Why, you speak as If you didn't
like her, child"
'IIow can like or dislike her
when l don't know her?" gulped
Doris.
well. anyway. she's leaving
me. Going to be married to man
she's been engaged to for years.
He's just come back from the West.
/ hate to have her go, but sup
pose III find another one as good
One gets sort Of attached to an
employee" unused Jack, cracking a
walnut.
And Doris unused: "What was
that Maud said? Oh. yes. to keep
hold Of the knot at the end"
II hope you'll find good one"
she told her husband happily.