The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-03
TIE LOST WIFE.


1t was thoroughly understood that
Mrs. Jack Carteret, known to her friends
as Ethel. had gone to stay at Bourne
mouth. and that she would be away
from town for a fortnight Indeed, a
short paragraph conveying that intel
ligence to the. public had appeared in
print. For many things had combined
to get upon Mrs. Jack Carteret's nerves;
the influenza for one. the news of her
brother being wounded in South Africa
for another, and then there was the pre-
vailing depression and the waiting for
news from the front Altogether Ethel
was run down; and Jack, compelled
himself to stay in town, had insisted
that Ethel must have a fortnight in a
quiet place.
You win read novels, look at the sea,
and think of me now and then" said
Jack. as he stood at the carriage door
at Waterloo, having collected all the
illustrated papers into one heap of mar
ital devotion.
Yes. and I shall come back another
woman" said Ethel.
DO, laughed Jack; "a man welcomes
change, you know"
You brutei" whispered Ethel under
her breath; then as the train began to
move, she leaned still further from the
window and extended a hand which
Jack caught in his own for moment.
Dear brute!"
The phrase rang in Jacks ears as he
lay back in the hanson which bore him
to the city. And IL would be a FORTNIGHT
before he would see her again. Much
may happen in a fortnight in London.
And things did happen. Things which.
however they were explained-and they
were explained very carefrlIv-nnai d.
people talk. For Jack and Ethel had
been married no more than couple of
years, ana there seemed no cloud-up till
then-on the horizon of their happiness.
The friends who gathered at the pleas
ant little dinner parties in their sweet
little house IN Curzon street agreed that
Jack and Ethel were quite a model cou-
pie, and an example to certain other
couples they could name
Inc woman whom Satan wishes TO
destroy he first bores. And for the first
three days of her stay in a Bourne
mouth hotel Ethel managed to amuse
herself by reading novels and looking
at the sea Close on the heels of ennui
came Major BabWOrth, who had beon
invalided home from South Africa. and
was hnlshlng his cure at Bournemouth
before returning to his regiment A dis
abied nero never appeals in vain to a
woman, especially to a woman who is
bored. In quite an ordinary way Ethel
became acquainted with Major Bah
worth; in fact, they were introduced by
the head waiter, who blandly placed
them at the same little table at dinner
In couple of days they were fast
friends.
Major Babworth was a delightful man
with whole fund of experience behind
him, and it was no wonder that Ethel
welcomed his escort. A woman cannot
go golfing all alone and enjoy herself
so 1t was only natural that she and
Major Babworth should spend long DAYS
together on the links. 1t was only nat
ural. too, that Ethel should be pleased
by the admiration of man of the world
whom she mad attracted by the mere
charm of her own personality 1t never
occurred to her that she was playing
with IRE until one evening when she
and Major Babworth were walking back
together from the golf links in the gath
ering dusk.
oh. but you'll come to see me in
town. said Ethel lightly, in answer to
remark from her companion.
You forget I'm off on Saturday to
South Africa said Babworth.~
"Well-when you come back. 1t won't
be long now, surely"
And suppose l didn't come back?
Would you care-a little bit?'
Instinct told Ethel that the situation
was dangerous. But they were nearing
the hotel The lights from the upper
windows, now visible. blinked safety.
Care! Oh, Major Babworthi"
But if you care, why risk the delay
Ethel?" = -
She did rot know how it happened,
but in an instant Major Babworth's
arm was about her waist and his
moustache upon her face. There was a
moment in which attraction and repul-
sion matched forces. Then with a swift
movement Ethel freed herself and ran
toward the hotel.
Arrived in her room, she flung herself
upon her sofa. How had he dared to
treat her as though she were a house
maid flirting with the postman? 1t was
maddening. And yet-the whisper of
self accusation made itself heard. Size
had certainly encouraged him. Could
it be possible that she, Ethel, had been