Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1915 — Real Trouble [ARTICLE]

Real Trouble

Mrs. Whlttlngham squeezed lemon Into her husband’s second glass of Iced tea. “George," she began abruptly, “I’m perfectly sure that those Youngm&nrys across the street have had a dreadful quarreL” Whlttlngham knew that he might as well have It over with. “Now, Genevieve,” he answered, "you’re always suspecting something. But what makes you think they have had a misunderstanding?” “You know how much they always seemed to think of each other," she said, “and how they always seemed to be such —ah —” v “Billers and cooers.” “Yes, that’s it exactly. Well, this morning, after you had gone, she came out on the porch as usual and got into the swing. In a little while he came out, too, and he never once offered to kiss her good bye, which is something he never before failed to do. He seemed so still and straight, and he simply marched right down the steps and away up the street witiiout looking back once. I never saw it happen before. He always kisses her good bye in plain Bight of all the neighbors, and he always kissed her first thing when he reached home in the evening.” “Why,” said Whlttlngham, “I came home with him this evening, and—” "You needn’t tell me that you didn't notice anything amisß,” Interrupted Mrs. Whlttlngham. “I know you didn’t. Men never do. But what I noticed only confirms what you call my suspicions.” “After you left him at the steps you didn’t look back. But I watched, and Mr. Youngmarry marched right up and into the house with his face straight in front of him —as dignified and cold and unbending as a ramrod. Mrs. Youngmarry appeared to smile a little half-ashamed smile, and she’got right up and followed him inside. “And then while you were working in the garden Mrs. Youngmarry called little Jimmy Monson and" sent him hurrying off to the drug store. lin quired of Jimmy what it was that Mrs. Youngmarry asked him to get, and Jimmy said he couldn’t remember the name, but that the bottle had a skull and crossbones on it. “I think it’s perfectly dreadful for a romance as sweet as that one to end so. And such young married folks, too!" “Weil, my dear,” said Whittingham, “you see —” “Now, there’s no excuse for it at all,” went on Mrs. Whittingham, emphatically. “I’m sure they haven’t been married a year, and here they are quarreling like cats and dogs. To think of their not kissing good bye. I wouldn’t be surprised if she took that poison she sent Jimmy Monson after! I’m all excited \ over it. I’m waiting every minute to see the ambulance rush up to their door and carry out her poor dead body! Men are such heartless things, and I think that something ought to be done before it’s too late. I thought maybe Mr. Youngmarry said something to you about it on the, way home —men are apt to tell one another of their troubles.” “He did,” responded Whittingham. “And you’ve let me worry all this time! George,.that’s downright mean of you! I don’t see why you couldn’t tell me." “I’ve been trying to tell you for ten minutes. Youngmarry did not kiss his wife this morning* as you observed, and I know that lie walks stiff as a poker. That is because he has a large pet.boll on the back of his neck. The poison that Jimmy Monson purchased was nothing but a little iodine I advised him to paint it with. And so your terrible tragedy is not going to be pulled off this evening!” “Oh,” breathed Mrs. *Whittingham, I’m sure that’s too bad.” *