HE WISHED TO HELP HIS WIFE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14135, 15 February 1910, Page 8

HE WISHED TO HELP HIS WIFE.

A STORY WITH A MORAL. “I don’t know what I shall do.” Mrs. Wicklet looked at her husband in the most abject despair. “I am giving a bridge party to-night,” she said, “and Mrs. iJalby has just telephoned—at the last moment, of course —that she cannot come. That leaves one seat to fill, and I cannot think of anyone who will come to fill in.” “It would be an insult to ask anybody under the circumstances,” replied Mr. Wicklet. “How would it do,” he added, “for me to take her place?” Mrs. Wicklet thought. “You don’t play very well,” she said at last. “I would do my best,” “Naturally; hut that wouldn’t bemud: of "a help. Then, 1 think it would be rather embarrassing for the women, Y T on know, they wouldn’t he at their ease with a man around.” “Maybe not.” “We play for a prize, and it wouldn’t he fair to those who sit at your table. Besides, you might win—the worst player often does!” “That’s so. Any more reasons?” “Yon are always awkward, you know, dear, when there are only women present. It sort of—well—makes yon uneasy.” ■ Wicklet turned. “I ■■ suppose,” he said, “that you know whv 1 offered to do this?” “Why I—” “I offered to do it out,of the goodness of my heart.. I did not want to do it. I did it because I thought it might help yon out of a dilemma. I cannot think of anything that is so utterly distasteful to- me as sitting down at a bridge game with a lot of silly women. I thank-- heaven every hour of the day and night that I do not know how to play bridge well. And now, farewell.” “Where are. you going?” “I am going,” replied Wicklet in a high voice, “to have the time of my life, for once in my life. I have been trying to please you so long and be unselfish that it may he hard, but I am going to the club, fill up with the hoys, play poker iftitil I am tired, and roll home just about the moment that yon are,distributing the prizes, to your guests; and I am only sorry that yon arc going to he one short, for I should like to let as many women in this neighbourhood as possible know that there is one’man in it who has at last thrown off the matrimonial yoke, and henceforth proposes to do as he pleases.” So saving Mr. ’Wicklet departed, leaving behind him a wide wake of anguish.—New York Times.-