Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-08-05
THE FORCE OF HABIT.

d
l myself think that force of habit is
the strongest element there is in life, but
some people think differently. Lionel
Carstairs was one of the people who
think differently, and he stuck to his
opinion at all odds Whether he was
right, or | am right, the events of the
little story that | am going to tell will
90 far to prove 1t is rather an interest
ing little story in its way.
1t was Just about that time that he
first met Priscilla Davenport She had
come up to town for the season for the
first time in her life, at the invitation Of
rich old maiden aunt of her husbands.
Perhaps it was her smile that did for
Carstairs. Anyway, something did for
him, and he developed love fever about
as badly as any man l have ever met.
He used to simply rave about Mrs DAY.
export, and | used to listen to his raw
ings. They amused him, and they didn't
hurt me-
"She's the dearest little woman in the
world" he said to me one day There's
nobody like her. And her husband is-
well, you krow what her husband is.
colonel"
81 know he is her husband" l an.
swered, IF that has any bearing on the
case. 1t might have, you know"
And Carstairs frowned darkly.
Her husband!" he echoed. Her hus-
band! What a world it is. Now, if |
had been her husband" He broke off
with an expressive shrug of the broad
shoulders.
Davenport is a fairly good chap in his
way" | remarked mildly. HE means
well, | believe, and he has no special
vices. He's an average sort of person."
Carstairs rounded on me fiercely
He doesn't mean WE'LL" he contra
dieted, in a low, determined tone"
The London season came to an end. as
all good things do, and Mrs. Davenport
went back to her husband and her home.
a month or two later | was sorry to
hear from Carstairs that he had taken
rooms at a country inn only few miles
from the Davenports' place, with the in
tention of spending the winter there.
It's such a ripping hunting center. you
see" he explained to me, with rather
queer look in his good-looking dark face
with its eloquent eyes and persuasive
smile. "Three packs of hounds within
easy reach You'd better come down with
me for bit, colonel | can give YOU
mount now and again"
So | went down with him. not because
| was tempted by the offer of mount
now and again, but because | wanted to
watch the progress of events.
Carstairs rushed the affair at racing
pace, according to his usual habit
/ had been up to London for a few
| days, doing a theater or two and attend
ing to some small matters of business.
and when ! landed at the station ON my
return journey l found Carstairs and
Mrs. Davenport on the platform.
1t was easy enough to guess their err
rand, even if Carstairs had tried to make
a secret of (which he didn't.
You're just in time to wish us luck.
colonel" he said, eXcitedly. Were off
to town by the next train and then
He broke off and looked at Mrs. Daven
port.
| looked at her, too.
Isn't it pit sudden?' / asked.
well, Just a bit at the end" Carstairs
admitted. 1--WE only settled up every
thing finally yesterday. | should have
wired you not to come back today only
didn't get your wire saying you were
coming till just as l was starting. Pm
sorry"
"Oh, never mind,' said /; st doesn't
matter at all These things will hap
pen"
And then l went up 70 Mrs Daven-
port, who was standing a little apart,
watching us with her big blue eyes.
ut seems I'm just in time to wish you
luck | said to her
Her shy, frightened smile flashed over
her face and was gone, leaving a strange
pathos in its place. Her eyes met mine.
Il don't deserve luck Col Maitland"
she said, with tie uncompromising truth
fulness that distinguished her on all oc-
casions, and was the result of her puri-
tanical upbringing; you know | don't"
| wasn't quite sure whether | knew it
or not. and before | could make up nv
mind Carstairs Joined us
Come, Priscilla" he said; "here's the
train. We're off now"
And as he spoke the train steamed into
the station.
She put her hand in his, and her foot
on the step of the carriage Then she
stopped and looked at him.
Il can't go, Lionel" she said in a half
whisper. Il can't go"
And she moved her foot from the step
and drew back
Carstairs stared at her in blank. be-
wildered amazement.
You can't GO he said. You can't 90.
PRISCILLA What do you mean? What on
earth do You mean? Is it a Joke? If
so, it's very ill-timed one"
| saw strange, hunted look fash into
her eyes as she raised them to his.
y joker she echoed A Joke, Lionel?
No, indeed, it's no joke It's deadly ear
nest l can't 80 with you. That's all.
l simply can't 60" And then she ran to
me- and clasped both her hands on my
arm, and looked up in my face. Take
Imn homo. Col NIaitlanl :, shn III -.