The Washington times., 1912-11-07

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~

Peter shook his head tragically.
I'm sorry you feel like that about
IT," said Crichton. at never occurred
to me you would mind, and / haven't
young lady your name. but took 1t my
self"
Took my name?"
"Ycs; at the nursing home I am
known as Mr.. Peter Thompkins. Pray
that l don't disgrace you, Peter
"Oh, sir, a false name! If you get
found out they'll never believe you are
hinnocent when you've done thing
like that. OF eoursc. a gentleman like
you hought to known his own business
best, but 1t do seem to me most awful
We'll, it's a risk that had to be-taken.
II was a choice Of evils, / grant you.
iIah! I sniR breakfast; the bacon and
camishng. and say, Peter, do try and
take a more cheerful view Of this busi-
ness"
Crichton was still at breakfast when
n short red-haired young man fairly
burst into the room.
Guy Campbcll!" exclaimed Cyril. JOY
fully.
Hello, old chap; glad to see you,."
cried the newcomer. pounding, cyril af-
fcctionately on the back. "How goes
It? / say, your telephone message gave
me quite n turn. What's up? Have you
got into a scrapeH You look as calm as
possible
ar / look calm, my looks bcl', me. I
assure you I never felt less ca IN in my
life," Cyril answered.
What on earth is the natter"
You won't have some breakfastT
well. then, take n cigarette, pull up
that chair to the fire and listen-and
don't play fool; this is serious"
II want your legal advice, Guy. though
I suppose you'll tell me ! need So
licitor, not n barristcr. ! wish to get
a divorce" he said.
sorry. had heard that your marriage
hadn't turned out any too well, but |
had no idea II was as bad as that. You
have proof. l SUPPOSE
Ample"
TEL me the particulars. I never have
heard anything against your wife's
character"
You mean that you have never heard
that she was unfaithful to me; Bah! 1t
makes me sick the way people talk, ms
II inidclity were the only vice that
damned woman's character. Guy.
her character was rotten through and
through-hcr infdelity was simply a
minor. though eliminating expression
OF It."
But how did you come to marry such
You know she was the Chalmers
goyerness""
Il had been spending a few weeks
with them. Jack, the oldest son, was
friend OF mine. and she was the
daughter of brother officer Of old
Chalmers who had died in India. and.
consequently. her position in the house
hold was different from that Of an or
dinary governcss. ] soon got quite
friendly with Amy and her two charges.
l...tt tl..0a d.
good deal. liked her. but upon my
honor | hadn't thought of making love
TO her. Then one day there was an
awful row. They accused her OF carry
ing on clandcstine love affair with
Freddy. the second son. and with drink
ing on the sly. They had found empty
bottles hidden .in her bed room. She
posed as injured innoCence-the victim
Of vile plot to get her out OF the
house-had no moncy-no friends, nc
hope Of another situation. was young
she was pretty; ! was dreadfully sorry
for her. and so-well. l married her
As the regiment had just been ordered
to South Africa, We went there imme'
diateIy. We had not been married a
year however. when I discovered that
she was confirmed drunkard. ! think
only the fear OF losing her position hao
kept her within certain bounds. Thai
necessity removed. she seemed utterl,
unable to put any restraint on herself
l doubt II she even tried to do So"
Poor Cyril"
Later on found out that she was
| taking drugs. as well AZ liquor. She
would drink herself into a frenzy and
! then stupefv herself with opiatcs. But
| II Is not only weakness ! am accusing
her OF. She was Inherently dcceitful
and cruei-oh. what is the use OF talk.
Ing about 1t! / have been through hell
You haven't been living together
lately, have you?'
well. you see. she was disGracing
! hIt and
so 1t became question of either leav'
| ing the army or getting her TO live
| somewhere else. So | brought her back
| to Europe. took small villa near Pau
and engaged an efficient nurse-com'
| panion to look after her. / spent my
| leave with her-but that was all. Last
| spring. however, she got so bad that
| her companion cabled for me. For 4
few weeks she was desperately Ill. and