The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-23
BY c, r. [. FAIcY.

Literary fresS.)
was staying with Lady Pamela at
her lovely house in town.
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 ] heard rom 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 af-
ternoen. And l had heartily agreed.
for the hustle and fatigue OF dinner
parties, theatres and balls during the
last three weeks had thoroughly tired
me.
We had drifted into Lady Pamela's
boudoir chatting and laughing over
the old times, Lady Pamela languid-
ly exploring an old and long forgotten
trunk the while and bringing forth
first one thing and then another
which served to call up old memories
and faces that night. Lady Pamela
was In high spirits, and she filled the
room, with her ripping laughter AZ l
told her OF serio-comic experience |
had had In Italy few months back.
But suddenly noticed that she was
10 longer attending. Instead. she was
Gazing with thoughtful eyes at 1T
tie silver casket she held in her hand
ana which had evidently been brought
10 light from the depths OF tha trunk
beside her.
slowly she opened the delicate sill
yer box and took from 1t visiting
card. Then she put 1t back and
closed the box with tiny snap.
PAMELA" ! said. You look quite
serious. There mast be some tragic
tale connected with that card
Lady Pamela started. Then she
smiled.
hardly tragic--at least TO the person
most concerned"
DO tell 1t me-" begged. forgetihS
my own unfinished story. -.
Listen" said Lady Pamela. i VIII
tell YOU the story Of how / once did
a disbonorabIe deed--no. don't open
your eyes like that. Wait Until !
have finished and then you shall pass
Judgment.
1T happened eight years ago.
Gerald and were staying IN TINS
yery house. and was giving dance
one of the biggest OF the season.
II had staying with me at the time
a very beautiful girl. Her namo Wis
Cynthia Carruthers. II was her mrs.
season and London had gone wiz
over her. On the night OF the pan
Cynthia came to me. knew sne
wa. In trouble or difficulty but had
rot asked her anything, knowing .ahat
# would all come out sooner or iafe'.
And ii did that evening
: y att appeared there ueFe2 sss9 Hits z
only two--whom she really carea
for. Both were to be at the Dali. anu
both. she expected, would propose 70
her. .
THE poor girl was nearly iistract-
al She could not decide which 10
accept and came to me a. neipiesa 10
a baby.
the two men were Major Bewsher
and Lieutenant carstairs. hoth were
handsome, Carstairs was young. ana
poor as a rat. Bewsher had money.
OF him ! !. had my suspicipnn, Monte
Carlo--drink Notnsng Sc
TiOuB, OF CouTSop pu~ 80
same.
II liked. the boy Carstairs. but
knew little about him.
well, Cynthia remember ray
ing. You must take Major Bewsher
and give up Carstairs.' oh. no. no.
no. she had cried, and when said
Very we'll, then take CarstairA You
silly GIRL she burst into sobs ana
said she could not give up Bcwsher.
Tn fact the girl simply did not
know her own mind, and begged me
to decide for her.
livery we'll said, I win do so-
or rather I 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 SEQ these two cards. On
them have written the names OF
your two admirers. 10 Ton viii draw
one from tho box and You must nc
cept the man whose narnO you crAw.
''She turned very pale: then with
nm effort she reached for the box and
with trembling fingers, drew out one
of, the cards. 5:s q ~ rs
"'Well,' / said, and who y the
luclsy mann And shs Whispered
That avenins Carstairs proposed.
Cynthia accepted ana they were mar
ried shortly aftetwAr0. Ihen Ms
regirnent was ordered out 70 India