The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-05-08
They
Attracted
Attention
Ey ELLA SAUNDERS
70. 1924. western Newspaper Union

- took up their residence at the
hotel they had attracted attention.
They were the sort of people who at
tracted attention. Merriam was so
good-looking. But Mrs. Merriam was
a perfect little beauty-like a little
blonde doll, the other women said.
And so innocent and simplei The
gang of old maids and d~isillusioned
wives who hung about the lobby all
day poured the usual stories of mems
perfidy into her ears.
And she had never dreamed of such
a thing. 1t had V occurred to her
as a possibility that her husband could
deceive her, though they had been
married eight years.
She listened and looked at them
with a plying smile.
"All that may be true for most men,
Mrs. Rogers" she said, "but 1 have alb
solute confidence in Harry. Why, we
love each other !"
"Well, my dear, it isn't for me to
make insinuatiOns about your hus-
band" answered the grass widow
spitefully, ''only if my husband said he
had to stay at the office till past mid
night every day On account of pres
sure of work, l think / should ring him
up around midnight anyhow, just to
make sure that he hadn't got lost on
the way home"
why, 1 should never dream of do
ing such a thing" exclaimed little
Mrs. Merriam Indignantly. IT trust
my husband and have faith in him"
That silenced the gang for a little.
But when the next Sunday the couple
went out for a motor ride, as happy as
a king and queen, envy stirred in their
breasts.
And they made a dead set at her
the next day again. "Of course, my
dear Mrs. Merriam, you understand
nobody was making insinuations about
Mr.. Merriam" said old Miss Keith,
with the yellow teeth. "He does APP
pear devoted to you. But don't you
think that even the most devoted Of
husbands need a little looking after?
You see, you can never be sure about
a man."
But how? 1 don't understand"
stammered Mrs. Merriam.
They were sure a hole had been
made in her armor. They pressed
harder. Don't you see that however
devoted a man may be to his wife, it
is so easy to lead him astray. You
protected women, surrounded by every
comfort and luxury, don't understand
But what am I to do?" pleaded the
little woman %piteously.
you? Oh, my dear, nobody was
talking about you. You don't need to
anything. You are the great ex-
ception."
Eyes, you are the great exception"
said Miss Keith, showing her teeth.
'Well then, what's it all about?"
They looked at one another abashed.
They had never met such simplicity
and innocence before.
Little Mrs. Merriam rose indignant
". II believe" she said, 'that you are
to influence me against my nus
Oand-"
ooh, my dearl" came the protests.
LET me tell you that he is the best
nan in the world, and absolutely in
of doing anything to hurt me.
Nor could he so lower himself as to
even look at another woman"
And she went Indignantly into the
elevator, leaving the crowd thoroughly
~lisconcerted. They saw that they
would have to look round for another
Meanwhile the elevator carried Mrs.
Merriam up to the apartment. Arrived
here, she stood in the middle of the
Dom for a while with flushed cheeks
md hands clenched.
'The cats" she said. "The old
They're jealous of my husband,
what's the trouble with them"
Unlocking a drawer, she took out a :
etter and read it for the twentieth I
ime. 1t was a love-letter from Mr.. !
Ierriam to his stenographer. 1t was
f the most compromising character.
little Mrs. Merriam, with sudden de-
ision, tore it into tiny scraps and let
hem futter into the w~astebasket.
poor Harry" she sighed. They're
II the same. But those cats down
shan't guess it,"
For Mr.. Merriam, also, was pro-
ected.