Once a first wife

By Norman Arkawy
She writhed under the judges' merciless scrutiny. The charge against her was surely a most grievous one—marital fidelity!
The world of 2136, when seen through the eyes of a woman unjustly accused and fighting to remain an individual in her own right can take on somber overtones of high tragedy. Norman Arkawy has a rare talent for looking ahead and interpreting the future in realistically compelling terms.
Geneva, Dec. 11 ( SP )— The first contested suit for divorce in eighty-three years was brought to trial today before the Terran High Court in this city. Justices Schluss, Jones and Klyutch presided at the unprecedented proceeding in which Merl Wisson petitioned for a divorce from his first-wife, Sar.
The petitioner's case, a charge of sexual incompetence, was presented today. Tomorrow, Mrs. Wisson's attorney will begin the unusual contesting action. The court's decision is expected tomorrow or the following day.
Since the middle of the twenty-first century, when the Uniform Divorce Code was adopted throughout the system, grounds for divorce have included only incompatibility, sexual incompetence, and sterility. The Wisson case, however, is the first in history in which one of the stigma charges has been used. In every previous divorce action, petition has been made on the grounds of incompatibility and has been filed mutually by both husband and first-wife.
When questioned by this reporter, Mr. Wisson said that he would have preferred to seek the divorce less sensationally, on the usual incompatibility charge, but that his first-wife has refused to agree to an uncontested action.
Mrs. Wisson made no comment.
Sar dropped the newstrip into the disposall. A sardonic smile curled her lip. I'll comment, she muttered, tomorrow—in court!
Dag yawned and stretched luxuriously. She sat up on the couch and looked searchingly at her sister. You must love him very much, she said.
Love him? Sar laughed, and said viciously, I detest him!