Life — December 3, 1914 — page 60: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

1028 Abe AGA LIFE jase The Passing of Selwind By Thomas L. Masson aa ARGARET, has my husband gone out?” Mrs. Selwind, busy with her morning’s mail, had turned to her private secretary, a hand- some young woman, clad in a smart but severe gown, and who nodded in reply. “ Suppose you close the door, anyway. I have concluded to change husbands.” The private secretary fluttered her eyelashes. “Distressing!” she murmured. “And he is such a nice man, I have become quite fond of him. He has been with us a long time.” “TI know it; but he is not competent to do all the things I require, and, as a matter of business, we cannot let him stand in the way.” “Certainly not; but, still, it is hard. him notice?” “ Certainly.” “He is very sensitive.” “TI realize that, and I want your advice. Besides, I really think I ought to make an effort to place him with some one.” A recommendation from You will give you— “Will undoubtedly go a. long way; but, Margaret, -I have an obligation to: fulfill: He has always been $0 wil- ling; he has worked so hard and has been so faithful to my interests.” “Don't you think,” said the private secretary, “that it is too bad, and at hi: age? Really, I am afraid he will have trouble to get another position.” Don’t make it any worse for me!” exclaimed Mrs. Selwind. “I am only doing ‘this now from a sense of duty—it’s an absolute necessity! He's behind the times. I ought to have known anyway that he’ wouldn’t develop along the right lines. He has no initiative. He creates nothing. Well, we must’ do it!’ Can you suggest anyone that might take him on?” The private secretary pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Every woman I know has all the husbands she can man- age,” she replied. “They say the agencies are full of them.” “But there must be something that he can do; he ought to fit in somewhere admirably. I can recommend him along limited lines; he might become invaluable to some woman.” “I have it!” cried the private secretary. “Don’t you remember that young Mrs. Shotwell? It was only last week that she discharged her husband; he was impertinent, and I heard her say that she wished she could get some A PICTURE OF TWO SLEEPING CHILDREN ON CHRISTMAS EVE sober, well-meaning man who wasn't always wanting to get an afternoon, off, and who was respectful.” “She's pretty young,” mused Mrs. Selwind, “and Henry is no cockerel, She might require a younger man——” “I think not, from what she said. She told me that these young husbands were no good; they couldn't settle down to their duties. Why not ask her?” “T will, at once.” She touched a button, and they were connected with Mrs. Shotwell almost instantly, as she had not yet left her country house for the city. “Good morning, Mrs, Shotwell,” said Mrs. Selwind. “Are you looking for a husband? I am very anxious to place mine; he has been with me for three years, and is very reliable, but I am introducing a new system, and it is a little beyond him.” “Why, yes, I am looking for a good, desirable hus- band; I think I have seen yours, Didn’t he carry your bag down to the station for you the other day?” “Yes.” “He isn't’ young, is he?” “No, but he is in good health.” “Does he care?” “Well, of course, you will have to keep him in condi- tion; but you would have to do that with any husband— give him simple food and don’t work him too hard, and I think he would suit you admirably; he is very faith- : ful, honest—I have never known him to-take a cent out of my pockets, although he has had opportunities—and extremely conscientious. He has, you understand, no large capacity, but is strictly loyal to anyone who is kind to him; you: see, my dear, you are young yet, just ‘starting out in life, and you really need some one of experience upon whom you can rely rather than too young a man.” “Yes—I realize that. I don’t know but he would be just the man. Send him around and I shall be glad to talk to him.” Mrs. Selwind was delighted, and could scarcely wait for her husband to come home. “Henry,” she said, when he came in late in the after- noon, “I have a delightful surprise for you. I have decided to make a change—you see, I really require a younger man, and so I have placed you with Mrs. Shotwell. It’s as good as done. I am sure you will get the position, and you must go around to her town house at once and interview her. require much Mersey Peewe comicbooks.com