Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-05-02
Lady P amelia
Disl1onorable
Deed
toopyashl i0ii, ~ Asaoolated Literary Proaal

Lady Pamela and | had been at
school together and later had spent
two years finishing" In France and
Germany.
Then we had come home; and the
next time I heard from her she was
engaged to Lord Gerald Lumley. Six
months later they were married, and,
after seemingly endless globe-trot-
ting, had settled down at Lumley
Court In Kent
That was fifteen years ago, and
since then Lady Pamela has never
missed having me with her for
month or SO during the London sea-
son.
LET us have quiet evening to-
gether, Helen" she had said one after
noon. And l had heartily agreed, for
the hustle and fatigue Of dinner par?
ties, theaters and balls during the last
three weeks had thoroughly tired me-.
drifted into Lady Pamela's bou-
doir and found her gazing with
thoughtful eyes at little silver.
Slowly she opened the delicate sill
yer box and took from it visiting
card. Then she put it back and closed
the box with a tiny snap.
PAMELA" said. You look quite
serious. There must be some tragic
tale connected with that card" "
Lady Pamela started. Then. she
smiled.
There is story, Helen. but tits.
hardly tragic-at least TO the person,
most concerned. 1t happened eight,
years ago. Gerald and were stay
ing in this very house. and | was CIV
ing a dance-one of the biggest OF the
season
81 had staying with me at the time:
q very beautiful girl. Her name was
Cynthia Carruthers. 1t was her first
season and London had gone wild
over her. On the night OF the ball
Cynthia came to me. knew she was
In trouble or difficulty. but had not
asked her anything. knowing that 1t
would all come out sooner or later.
And it did that evening.
ut appeared there were two men
only two-whom she really cared for,
Both were to be at the ball and both.
she expected, would propose to her.
THE poor girl was nearly distract
ed. She could not decide which to
accept and came to me as helpless as
a baby.
"The two men were Major Bewsher
and Lieutenant Carstairs. Both were
handsome. Carstairs was young, and
poor as rat. Bewsher had money.
OF him l had my suspicious. Monte
Carlo-drink-cards. Nothing serious,
of course, but there all the same.
az liked the boy Carstairs, but
knew little about him.
"'Well, CYNTHIA remember say
ing, you must take Major Bewshei
and give up Carstairs.' oh! no, no.
no. she had cried, and when | said
Very well, then take Carstairs, you
silly girl she burst into sobs and
said she could not give up Bewsher.
and so on.
I'm fact the girl simply did not
know her own mind, and begged me
to decide for her.
every WE'LL l said, I will do so
or rather shall help YOU to decide
for yourself But you must promise
to abide by whatever decision We
come to-
"She promised.
"'You see this box explained,
and you see these two cards. On
them | have written the names OF
your two admirers. You will draw
one from the box and you must &C.
.cept the man whose name you draw
"She turned very pale; then with
an effort she reached for the box and
with trembling fingers drew out one
Of the cards.
"'Well.' said. and who is the
lucky man. And she whispered
'Carstairs.
THAT evening Carstalrs proposed.
Cynthia accepted and they were mar
ried shortly afterward. Then his regi-
ment was ordered out to India and
she went with him. Five years later,
when Carstairs had come into money
and title, and Bewsher had. we'll
shot himself In the Casino Gardens, ]
met Cynthia.
From beautiful girl she had
grown into beautiful woman. She
had two darling boys and was as hap
py as a woman can be. invited her
down to Lumley Court
lone evening she showed me a WIS.,
iting card. 1t was one OF my own,
and on 1t was written the name Car
stairs 1t was the card she had drawn
on the evening Of the bali. She told
me she treasured it as her most
priceless possession, and-and this
Helen. is the other"
~ see," said. "the other. on which
you had written the name OF Major
Bewsher."
No" said Lady Pamela quietly
ION which I had also written the
name OF Lieutenant Carstairs.