The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-09-07
A WOMAN OF
Deep MYSTERY
Tale Of Strange Happenings
at an Army Post.

WulCQ nus never W thiS uhy ohu uVuoS-
less never will be revealed. Those un-
der whose notice 1t took place are now
either on the retired list or dead. Yet
here and there doing over a newspa-
per at some army or navy club white
headed old man may be found who can
give the circumstances.
One day away back in the last CEN
tury guests were assembling at the
quarters of Colonel AtherD, command
ing Fort c., to celebrate the wedding
Of the colonel's niece, Miss R0xana
Bonfleld, with Lieutenant Reginald AL
len. Allen had secured leave or had
been sent away on some duty-it was
claimed that he was purposely absent
and was to have returned for bach
elor farewell dinner he was to give on
the evening before the wedding. There
were no mails or telegraphs handy at
that time by which he could send any
word, and when he did not appear for
the dinner 1t was supposed he had
been unavoidably detained. But when
the garrison clock struck II the next
day, the hour appointed for the cere
mony, and he did not appear there was
hum Of surprise.
Allen never did appear again at Fort
G. The lady he was to have married
bore the slight put upon her so well.
never uttering a word of blame, that
she received the sympathy of every
one. Not person at the fort who
afterward met Lieutenant Allen he
offered no explanation Of his conduct
but gave him a dead cut.
Five years after his disappointment
Miss Bonfield engaged herself to Cap
tain Gregg. The engagement occurred
just before Gregg was ordered to an
other post. Certain young wags with
more love of saying mean things than
delicacy debated among themselves If
Gregg would behave as Allen had be-
haved. But Gregg, after being en-
gagged for six months, during all of
which time he was absent from his
fancee returned in ample time for the
wedding.
There is n" record that any disagree
ment ever u, urred between Captain
and Mrs. Gregg. During the first few
months Of their marriage Gregg ap-
peared as devoted and happy hus-
band. Then one day when he went on
duty he gave evidence of having re-
ceived a shock. To inquiries as to his
health he replied that he was never
better. Nevertheless he had a hunted
look and lost flesh till his uniform
hung about hir, in deep creases. While
the loving dtHotion he had shown his
wife did not continue. he was perfect
ly respectful and attentive to her
What surprised every one was that she
did not treat him or appear to worry
about him us n sick man.
Gregg finally got a years leave and
went without his wife. AT the
end of the year he returned in faii
condition, but with something of the
hunted look left, and rejoined his wife
In six months he was sent to a retreat
| where he died few years later
Mrs. Gregg was now woman OF
twenty-eight. She had no children ant
did not look her age The unfortunat,
endings Of her love affairs had moi
seemed to cast any cloud over her. She
I was not ut all depressed She appear
ed simply as any other young woman
whose husband had died and left hel
widow. Her widowhoOd was short
In eighteen months after Gregg's deatl
she became the wife Of Major Thurs
ton. Then the young wags wondered
IL she was going to climb the ladder o.
rank till she married general.
Thurston's sister, an army woman
begged him not to marry Mrs. Gregg
But when the brother asked for rea
sons he got nothing except what hal
been told thus far in this story-tha
Is, that the woman had been treated
shamefully by her first fiance and tina
her husband had died of some brail
or nervous trouble. The major de
clined to act the part of the first ant
saw no reason why he should fear tn
fate Of the second. The sister still
protested; but. without reason, he de
clined to change his course. He mar
ried Mrs. Gregg and ten weeks late
committed suicide.
Thurston is not the first man WIN
has made mistake by not needing
woman's warning because no good o
sufficient reason accompanied It, Won
en- have been known to be right II
condemning man from the shape o
his nose. However, there was not tn
slightest proof that Mrs. Thurston ha,
any direct or indirect influence on he
husbands suicide. What surprised ey
cry one was that this climax to her un
fortunate matrimonial affairs scenes
to have no more effect upon her thai
either of the other cases. She scenes
perfectly passive under each and u
Of them. Nevertheless she did no
marry again. though it was reporte
that several men at different time
were attentive to her. 1t was suppose
that on learning her marital recor
they desisted
Mrs. Gregg -Thurston died when sh
was past fifty. No explanation wa
ever given of the blight that fell o
her lovers. but there was story tol