Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-07-25

A QUARTET
tOriginal.l


He developed striking business talent
and 1t was not long before he was 81
gagged in a small manufacturing ente
prise of his own. The article he mad
was patented, and the business becam
very valuable. Mr.. Chaplin bought
house in the best part of the city, an
the couple entertained considerably.
But it was not long before 1t bega
to be whispered that all was not we
with the Chapins. A young man, Al
thur Gilman, was devoting himself t
young Mrs. Chaplin. 1t appeared to b
one of those cases wherein a husban,
having perfect confidence in his wifi
fails to see what every one else sees
either this or seeing he pretends no
to see. Chaplin, at least so far as thu
world knew, gave himself no concern
as to his wife's attendant, seeming Il
be himself absorbed in a friendship
with one of his own sex. Ha and
Fletcher Ford were inseparable. They
constantly drove out together, attended
amusements together and at social en-
tertalnments would sit chatting togeth
er instead of devoting themselves to
the women.
"What fool" said Madam Grundy,
ito be so devoted to q man friend as
to let his wife drift into trouble"
The world did not see all that was
going on in the quartet. If Chaplin did
not hear of the scandal of which he
was the one most interested, Fletcher
Ford did. He took 1t upon himself to
admonish his friend that, though per-
sonally he considered Mrs. Chaplin per-
fectly innocent, society was becoming
shocked.
The admonltion was taken In good
part. Chaplin admitted that he had
noticed Gilman's attentions, but his
confidence in his wife's purity was
absolute. The only change that came
from Ford's interference was that Gil
man and Mrs. Chaplin were seen less to-
gether in public. But Gilman was still
so much at the Chapins' home that
Ford, who was witness Of the fact,
told his friend he was beginning to lose
respect for him. This seemed to trouble
Chaplin, but he did not seem to have
the courage to break up his wlfe's liai-
son. Finally Ford became 80 irrltated
at the sneering remarks he heard that
be went to Chapin's house one evening
and told him that their friendship was
at an end.
Chaplin at this thrust broke down,
and Ford was astonlshed to see tear
IN his eye. 1t was the first evidence
ne had seen that after all there must
be something In the affair that had not
been explained. But above all Gilman
vas made aware Of Chapin's value of
lis good opinion. Ford affectionately
aid his hand on his friends arm and
him to give him his conf
lence. The young husband, though |
much moved, would not reveal what |
vas troubling him. Ford pressed him |
o confide in him, but Chaplin suddenly |
prang up and left the room, saying |
hat he would confer with his wife and |
zee what could be done to mend the |
natter Ford was much affected at |
eeing his friends emotion and seized
is hand as he left the room with
lew to comfort him. But Chaplin broke
way from him and went upstairs.
Ford was puzzled. He could see no
violence of trouble on his friends mind
to his wife, Chapin's sole
REF seeming to be at losing his
lends respect and the parting that
as imminent between them. He re-
Iained waiting in the library where
hapin had left him for some time,
len was about to depart, when he
card rustling of skirts on the stair
Use and Mrs. Chaplin entered, accom-
lnied by lady whom Ford did not
first recognize. Yet there was some
ing about her that struck him with
She was so like his
lend Chaplin that she must be his twin
ster. Her face alternated between
ushes and pallor, and she seemed III
ease In her feminine apparel.
Henry Chaplin exclaimed Ford.
What do you mean by getting your
II up in woman's dressT
II am not Henry Chaplin; am Mar
ret Eaton. This Is Blanche Eaton,
y sister. When we were thrown on
If own resources after life Of lux
y / shrank from supporting myself
I'd my sister-for she was too delicate
shift for herself-clogged by WON
Is skirts, woman's disadvantages.
1t on mans clothes, and we came
re where he were not known. We
ere prospecting when my sister fell
love with Arthur Gilman, and, I'M
he fell In love with her. +,
,r Is that all. Failing to induce us !,
reveal our secret, he married her
and has been living with
r for some time as her husband.
Arthur" she called, and Gilman, an '
FUSED look on his face, came In from 3
e of the other rooms.
When Ford left the house after !,
lg consultation with the others 1t =
g agreed that Margaret Chaplin :,
)uld never again appear in mans at =
2. The two women, yelled, left the y
Y that night and their affairs were .
und up by the men, who eventually :"
lowed them. Fletcher Ford married -
rgaret Eaton, and the four settled "
a distant land. a.
he disappearance of the actors In -
little drama occasioned no startling y,
prise. So carefully was 1t managed -,
t to this day In speaking of the =,
apinS people wonder what became :,
them. 1t was remembered that they ~
Mt away on visit and never re- v,
ned, Ford and Gilman left the ~
ce at different times. Some said -
Chapins left to get rid of the two AZ
D. EDITH +. BAKER. ~