Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1912-03-08
Lady Parnela's $
DisE1onorabIe
Deed
(oOpyright, 1911, by Associated Literary PrOssl


Lady Pamela and l had been at
school together and later had spent
two years finishing" in France and
Germany.
Then we had come home; and tho
next time 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 a
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 4 little silver
casket she held in her hand.
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!" 1 said. You look quite
serious. There must be some tragic
tale connected with that card"
Lady Pamela started. Then she
smiled.
There is a story, Helen, but it is
hardly tragic--at least to the person
most concerned. 1t happened eight
years ago. Gerald and l were stay
ing in this very mouse, and was CIV
ing a dance-one of the biggest Of the
season.
81 had staying with me at the time
a 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. l knew she was
in trouble or difficulty, but had not
asked her anything, knowing that it
would all come out sooner or later.
And it did that evening.
"It appeared there were two men
only twc-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 a rat. Bewsher had money.
OF him had my suspicious. Monte
Carlo-drink-car Nothing serious,
of course, but there all the same.
ST liked the boy Carstairs, but
knew little about him.
"'Well, Cynthia remember say.
ing, you must take Major Bewsher
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 BeTsher
and so on.
I'm fact the girl simply did not
know her own mind, and begged me
to decide for her.
Every well,' said, I will do So
OF rather l 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 I explained
and you see these two cards. Or
them | have written the names o
your two admirers. You will draw
one from the box and you must ac
cept the man whose name you draw
"She turned very pale; then will
an effort she reached for the box AM
with trembling fingers drew out on
of the cards.
"'WeI,' said, and who is th
lucky man?' And she whispere,
'Carstairs.'
"That evening Carstairs proposed
Cynthia accepted and they were maj
ried shortly afterward. Then his reg
ment was ordered out to India an
she went with him. Five years latel
when Carstairs had come into none
and title, and Bewsher had, we'll
shot himself in the Casino Gardens,
met Cynthia.
From q beautiful girl she ha
grown into a beautiful woman. Sh
had two darling boys and was as hal
py as a woman can be. invited he
down to Lumley Court.
"One evening she showed me a VII
iting card. 1t was one OF my owl
and on it was written the name Ca
stairs 1t was the card she had draw
on the evening of the ball. She tol
me she treasured it as her mos
priceless possession, and-and thi
Helen, is the other"
II see," said, "the other, on whic
you had written the name of Majc
Bewsher,"
mo-" said Lady Pamela quietl
ION which / had also written th
name of Lieutenant Carstairs."
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