Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1902-08-16
Breath of
Scandal
By ELIAS Isle
Copyright. 100 by A. S. Richardson

appointed surprise at the approaching
dingcy.
There are only Hugh and your cous-
In in the boat" she announced to her
guest. Mr. Cuthbcrt isn't there. I'm
so sorry"
Her intOnation implied that the sOr-
row was sympathetic rather than per-
sonal Sibyl Beach resented it.
"You needn't be. Helen" she said,
the curve of her lips Strengthening
firmly.
"Why, invited him to come, partic-
ularly on your account"
".And | wanted him not to, particu
larly on my account" said the girl.
"Why. Sibyl, dear, l thought you
were such great friends or even more"
$50 did l." There was a suspicion
of tears in the bright eyes the girl
turned to her friend. 80 did l until
until he disgraced himself. Oh, you'll
know all about 1t soon enough any
way. | may as well show you now
She held out a clipping from week
ly publication which makes business
of purvcying social sewage to its read
ers.
"It came to me in the mail-anOny-
nous. of course" she said.
Mrs. Verrell took it with an express
sion of distastc
"You wouldn't believe anything that
wretched paper says, l hope" she OBJ
served. "Whcncver l read it feel as
IL l needed a bath to get clean again"
"The Era had little notice, too. say
ing that Sid-Mr. Cuthbcrt-was there,
and that is reliable enough. only
wish it weren't"
With pressed lips and frOwning brow
Mrs. Vcrrell ran over the clippings. 1t
was a comment. less veilcd than is
common with that paper, upon the
presence of Sidney Cuthbert at the fu
neral of Il woman who had once been
we'll known in that dim border of the
theatrical profession where people of
more dubious world claim habitation.
ut will strengthen Mr.. Cuthbert'S
reputation for generosity among his
club and society friends" commented
the paragraph, that he should have
borne the expense of the funeral from
his own pocket. The woman who was
once known as Viola Trevannion was
buried beside her son, whose death
two years ago was also the occasion
of a burst of mortuary generosity on
the part Of young Cuthbert."
"Isn't that a nice thing to read about
a man you had thought you could
could Mt least respect" said the girl
bitterly.
Il don't believe it about Mr.. Cuth-
bert" began the other Indignantly
when the two men came over the rail.
After Nerrell and young DIR. Dent
had greeted the two women the latter
turned to his cousin and said:
did hear you speaking about Sid
ney Cuthbcrt, Beauty
"You may have If you were listen
ing" said the girl. "And | do wish.
Harvey, that you would drop that
childish nickname. I've outgrown it,"
"Wcll. l don't know about your out
growing it," said Dent. looking ut her
flushed checks and shining eyes. but
you certainly haven't outgrown your
childish-bcg pardon-yOur childhood
temper. But of course I'll drop it,
Sb, if you don't like it." he added
good naturedly. But was interested
in Sidney Cuthbert because | used to
know him when he was Typh Z and !
was house in Sawgums."
whats Sawgums:" asked Verrell
Inv lat. a hat To,
asylum? And was Cuthbert one of the
numbered patients and you another?
1 understood you to say you were
house. Singular delusion."
"Sawgums is short for st. Angus
tines hospital, where l disportcd my
self as house physician when Cuth-
bert became typhoid case No. T." eX
planned the young physician. As all
the private rooms We're full he had to
80 into the public ward and live at 81
per day between prOfane and asth-
matte car driver and a charity con.
valescent.'
Every good lesson in economy" OBJ
served Verrell virtuously.
''He couldn't give many dinner par
ties and send the kind of flowers he
used to favor Sibyl with OH that basis.
Helen, If my feet are in your way I'll
have 'em moved" he concluded. bliss
fully unconscious of his wifc's savage
glances. Did Cuthbcrt like it, Dent?"
Seemed to enjoy it tOlerably after
he got cOnvalesccnt. lie got up quite
friendship with another patient
known as Tommy the Cod. presumably
because he lived in an empty fish box
down Fulton market way"
Don't remember having heard Cuth-
bert speak of the gentleman" MUIR
INJURED Verrell. Did he ever bring
him to call. Sibyl? Helen. il you kick
the only husband you're ever likely to
have on the shins he'll rise up and de-
sert YOU"
"The Gods real name, as near as he
could tell. was Hannigan." continued
the physician. "Cuthbert's previous
acquaintance with him was purely a
business one. Tommy used to sell
Cuthbert evening papers on Wall
street until one day truck ran over
his ankle, and when we got him here
we found lie had very interesting
case of heart disease, SO we kept him.
Well, the Cod used to give Cuthbert
all the news about the street that he
got from his friends who used to visit
him. 1t meant n good deal to Cuth-
bert for he was keeping his illness a