The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-11
OF Two Women
Revival of Old Scandal:
Birth OF a New One.

York Herald
A strange thing is man-a stranger
woman Higher at her art than the lof-
test minded man, lower at her lowest
than the most degraded man; an angel
or & demon: a spur to noble deeds or a
spur 10 evil ones; the hndest thing on
earth or the most cruel; prayer from
heaven OF a howl from hell; such IS
the being who can make or mar q man
When William Forbes Gatacre, then a
colonial, was ordered to Dublin some
years ago to take command Of the
Eighty eighth Connaught Rangers, ne
took with him a young wife whom he
had just married. Everything seemed To
smile upon the couple. He was, indeed,
several years older than the lady, but he
was a man whom any woman might be
proud to call her husband. He had won
a sOldierly reputation at home and abroad
He was tall, handsome dignihed-per-
haps his dignity leaned over little too
sternly toward the martinez side-and
his attitude toward his wife was one Of
chivalrous courtesy.
She became a favorite in society, a
toast in army circles She was feted
and courted. Colonial Gatacre was
pleased with the attentions that were
showered upon her. He had mistaken
confidence in her wffely loyalty until
People began 10 talk They coupled
her name with that Of a certain good
looking Don JUan-a captain IN the
Guards called Fitzgerald Nobody. OF
course. dared TO talk in the ColOniaI's
Of whisperiugs behind MS back that
turned to confused silence at the turn
ing Of his face He sternly demanded
Of one Of the whisperers. caught in the
act. what the sibilation might mean
Now the whisperer was the sort Of can
did friend against whom the poet has
warned US:
But OF all plaques, good Heaven, thy
wrath can send,
Save. save. oh! save me, from the can
did friend
The candid friend hemmed and hawed.
At Iast-true 10 his native candor-he
blurted out the truth. There might be
nothing in It, he demurred, but, but
Brought TO bay. the wife confessed the
truth. He was master Of the situation
Your t-uthfulness," he said, has
spared me the necessity Of killing the
man. 7 want no scandal; but you must
abide by my conditions
And they are?"
THAT you and COLONEL Fitzgerald
leave the country at once; that you
leave II together; that You are never to
return. 7. too. viii leave It forever"
In vain the woman pleaded. She would
forget the Captain. She would return TO
her husband. She would be a loyal wife
His future prospect
Never mind my future prospects,
grinIy interrupted the other. I will
ask for a. transfer to some colonial post
If I cannot get it I viii throw up my
commission. I viii go abroad as an out
cast, If necessary, but you and he must
also go abroad. I shall kill him If l
meet him here again
The conditions offered by Colonel
Gatarce were accepted.
The compact was faithfully kept by all
the parties.
Captain Fitzgerald was a man Of
some wealth It took him but short
time 10 settle up his affairs in Dublin
Then he and Mrs. Gatacre set their faces
toward the West. They sailed Tor the
New World, in which they hoped 70
find oblivion for the shame which had
overtaken them in the Old.
At first they were apparently success
full Arriving in New York as man and
wife. they made their way across the
continent 10 Los Angeles, IN California.
They hired fine apartments in the best
hotel
The wealthy Captain Fitzgerald and
his charming wife were received with
open arms by the local society. They
became prominent members Of the Eng
lish colony But the world is a small
one. as We all know
The entire story as detailed above was
made known. And the English colony
rose in its might and cast the couple
out
They fed to Durate. There Captain
Fitzgerald purchased a cosy little home
surrounded by an orange grove. He de
voted himself to the cultivation Of his
fruit The woman pinned away. and sick
ened and died. The man was made Of
sterner stuff At last accounts he was
married. really married this time. and
apparently living happily In sight of the
tomb of the woman who had no right ID
bear his name
And what about Colonel Gatacre? He
is Colonel Gatacre no longer. bat Ma
5or General Sir William Forbes Gatacre.
X. c. p. famous FOR rallanrry at Chit
raj in lSe5, at Atbara. at Kharturn and
at Omdurman, in the Soudan. in 1865.
and now likely. despite his first reverses.
10 win stiI greater renown in south
Africa. The name Of the obscure ranger
who was the subject Of whispers in the
Dublin society Of years ago IS today.
after turning his back apparently upon
fame and fortune a household word in
the homes Of England and the civilized
world. Loud reouthed run30r IS busy
with what was once the football Of petty
gossip.
VIII he ever so hack to England What
hor-rs the future may have in store for
him no one may say A pserase,
seat in Parliament. wealth. Official dis
vnctteD. all these a grateful Queen and
q grateful pubic viii be willing u
shower upon the heroes Of the South
African war. But painful memory ana
q Self-re-5srered vow may stand in the
way Il their acceptance.
Another Apparently unfortunate incl
snt In connection wi-h the memory OF
South African hero comes flashing over
the cable from London. Lady William
Penn Symons has remarked within six
weeks after the tragic death Of hep hys-
band.
General SIR William Penn Srmons
was norralIy wounded October "a -Sas