Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-04-16
SOME PRIVATE
INQUIRIES.
By MARIE DELOGOFF.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press


Manners were wed. Some people ac-
tually said 1t was u love match and
that the honeymoon would last for
years Only some people said that,
however. Others knew Ii to be simply
fashionable wedding.
Not that the turtledoves do not coo
when fashionable wedding takes
place. but they must COO very gently
and cut 1t as short as possible. 1t is
not good form for Cupid to frolic in
high society.
In this case the skeptical ones soon
had reason TO say, 81 told You SOP
There were various little things that
brought IL about, but the principal one
was that after three months of ex-
tremely conventional politeness Mr..
and Mrs. Perry discovered that they
were not suited to each other.
Both were full of opinion. and both
were stubborn Both were extrova-
CANT. Both felt the loss of personal
freedom. Feeling thus. it was easy to
find fault, and fault finding soon led TO
more serious things.
They declared an armed truce for
another three months. and then each
decided that separation was inevitable.
Still, husbands and wives cannot very
well separate without some reasonable
excuse to give to their friends.
Marjory couldn't think of one. and
Livingston was in the same predlca-
ment. Both bent their minds to the
problem, and. as they had plenty OF
time, they did 1t faithfully.
On the same day and almost at the
same hour bright thought struck
this unhappy couple simultaneously.
1t was to hire somebody to investigate
and find the valid excuses that were
needed
They had known each other for a
year and n half previous to marriage,
but, after all, that was nothing. For
mality had prevented each one from
even knowing what relatives the other
had. outside of Marjory's matchmak-
ing mamma and Livirgston's rather in
different father. Her hand had been
kissed. declaration of love made, the
engagement announced. and that was
the whole story of their lovemaking.
ihere must have been something I'm
the life of each to give the other
the advantage sought for. The way
to discover II was through n private
inquiry agency-"Inquiries made. the
past investigated: secret, honorable
experienced agents. terms reasonable"
why, of course" thought Marjory.
Easiest thing In the world" Thought
Livingston. 1t didn't so happen that
both husband and wife called for. the
services of the same agency, but the
investigators began TO work at about
the same time. And while they were
there was n continuation
OF the truce between husband and
wife.
1t was the calm before the storm.
They were so placid and pliable that
nj times. many times during each day.
they seemed to have reached the point
where they appreciated each other.
Some Of their dearest friends almost
feared that the couple wouldn't sepa-
rate after all, and thus another choice
subject for brilliant conversation
would be lost TO society.
After about four weeks an official
band at his club. He had been wait
Ing for just such letter. and he was
SO anxious To see its contents that he
glanced only carelessly at the super
scription.
His first surprise came q moment
later. when he saw the words Dear
Madam" swimming before his eyes.
Now, he was not a dear madam"
Yet he went right on and read that
private inquiry report TO the end. He
help II, though he felt that he
was base.
I'VE find that your husband was
known to have very bad temper rs
Tar back as twenty years ago." wrote
he Investigator. People who know
him best are unit In agreeing that he
s very selfish by nature and hopeless
y tenacious OF his opinions.
His overbearing disposition" con.
inued the report, has alienated many
friends and several relatives. In one
Instance. during his bacheiorhood
lays. he nearly threw a dish at his
'ook and would have inflicted serious
injury had he made good his threat, az |
night have done.
I'VE have not been able to prove, but |
till strongly suspect. that you are not |
he first nor even the second nor third |
he has loved OF pretended to |
owe.
I'VE have 1t from his ex-yaiet that |
e arose several times at midnight to
wander around his room or smoke
Cigarettes, as II greatly worried This
hould be a strong point for a good
iwyer TO work up"
Livingston Perry felt rather fiat
1hen he had read so far. 1t struck
i'm that, as seen by others, he was
ardly what could be called an excit-
lg character
Smokes fifteen cent cigars, drinks
he most expensive wines, pays his
Tub dues, owes no cab hire and I'M
Ortunately has not even tailor bill
yer six months old. Still, this might
shown to prove extravaganza" was
ie next thrilling remark. Then he
'histled- He had at last struck an
Sciting paragraph. 1t was: "A few
'eeks ago he was seen I'm his club
oring earnestly over work on toxi
)iogy. We are sure that I'm this dis ,
overy we have furnished you with /
'rribly strong point Your Iawye, 7
Ill know at once what to do with I
lis"
Livingston Perry did not know ,,
neither TO laugh or swear when he .
'membered that he had tried TO read !
lie book to oblige the author. his col. a
re friend Dr. Grayson. r
we have, dear madam" ended the v
port made our investigation In the d
ost thorough manner and have NOT n d