The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1911-03-17

never dabble In domes.
- tic cases-divorces, sep
10 4 M aration suits, and the
EFSG& like-for the reason
@H& that the agency, both
us IA &4H at home and abroad,
8 W @ never cared for that
Nh$E&H line of business. But
f3@&4 can tell you Of one
W. case where we were
q the means Of staving
V off serious trouble be-
tween man and wife-tWo of the
incest people imaginable-all on &C
c. unit of the queerest little tangle that
everhappened. The joke was on both of
them, and pinch of frankness on
both sides would have acted like the
traditional ounce of prevention. But
then, men and women are curious
critters. Like to hear the story? All
right, 1t won't take long.
Il was on duty here one winter
afternoon couple of years back
when there was handed to be card
bearing the name Mrs. Robert Den
ver.' l told the boy to show her in.
well, sir, she was lady-one
could see that at a glance-and a
mighty pretty one. Also it was evil
dent that she was in some sort of
trouble.
What may do for you, Mrs Den
ver?' / inquired after she had dropped
into the very chair you're sitting in
and raised her veil. Her eyes were
red and swollen from crying.
"'You are Mr.. Ward?' my caller in.
CURED. I bowed assent.
81 want a separation from Lay h-hus-
band, she half sobbed. He's treat
ed me shamefully and IL can't put
up with 1t any l-longer!' and the poor
woman dabbed both eyes vindictively
with ball Of cambria that had al
ready done good service.
II naturally scanned her more close
ly while she was making this remark.
able statement. She was young-four
or five and twenty. judged, and nice
ly though not extensively dressed.
Her furs. / noticed, were rather shah
by and hopelessly out Of style.
"'Pardon me- / reminded her, Bull
livants are not lawyers; we are mere
ly inquiry agents. You should take
legal advice first. Then, If evidence
Is wanted, we might perhaps be in
duced to act under instructions from
your attorney
OH she gasped. q d-didn't know
eat! l@f've never done anything like
this b-before, you see, and-and !
wouldn't now, only I've been SO cru
ely, SO horribly treated!'
II began to smoke out a tempest in
teapot-one Of those domestic near
tragedies which, If taken in time and
nipped in the bud, with judicious
use Of strong and sensible advice to
both parties, may avert serious ship.
wreck.
Suppose you tell me all about it.
Mrs. Denver suggested. Perhaps
things are not as bad as they seem.
"'Oh. they are, really!' she assured
me. with wide open eyes and q dasf
of color in her cheeks. Already hel
voice was stronger as indignation
over her wrongs once more gained
ascendency.
"'Well, WELL I urged, soothingly,
can't advise you unless l have tn
facts, you know. I've no wish to in
trude-'
"'Oh. I'll tell you the whole wretch
ed, treacherous story she broke In
and you shall Judge If l haven't jus
cause for complaint
so l composed myself to listen.
was almost ludicrous, the tale she ur
folded, yet l was interested and speed
lily made up my mind to help her-t
help both, in fact, her and the hui
band--and clear up the mystery; 70
] was q bit puzzled.
"Mrs. Denver told me her tale 9
woe up to certain point. Before
could offer any solution saw that
would be necessary to get the hui
bands version.
"'Of course there's a misundo
staining somewhere" ! assured he
delicately. 60 you home, Mrs. Del
yer; I'll phone Mr.. Denver to stop
here on his way uptown. Don't frt
any more. You haven't been-well-
exactly yourself, you know. but I b
lieve everything can be explained sa
II factorily-on both sides. And don
forget / reminded her as she rose
10. that you've something Of CO
fession to make yourself when he ge
home $50 be both forbearing and me
ciful.'
well, / fancy she went away fee
ing not quite so blue. I got Denv'
an the wire and in half an hour
vas sitting in the same chair his wi
had so lately occupied. l had expet
cd Il. see him look guilty and enba
rassed when / preached the subjet
hut to my surprise he showed not Il
slightest sign Of guilt.
"However. guess I'd better n
.poil the story by giving 1t to you
half.sections. Here is what had
ready happened and what subsequel
IL occurred when the reconciliati'
took place that evening. told comes
edly. I'll have to 80 back and peg
4 the real beginning: