New Britain herald., 1916-09-27
Why Dr. Petit Promised Not to Re-
 port the Tragic Incident.
PAY WEEKLY

port the Tragic Incident.
 "Ah, good morning, Mrs. Graham. I am glad to see you are looking better"
 The commonplace words from the lips of pr. Petit ushered in what promised to be an interview ot moment to me.
 q am feeling much better, thank you,' I replied. T understand that Dicky is much better this morning, and that Miss Draper has rallied.' "Mr Graham will need but very little more attention," Dr. Petit re- piled. 'He may sit Up today, and by tomorrow he can get about as well as ever. But Miss Draper's condition is another matter. True, her vitality is surprising. If no infection develops, she stands a very good chance of re- covering; otherwise we will have 8 stiff fight on our hands" 'I am so sorry,'' I said faintly. The physician was regarding me with grave, inscrutab ble eyes, which disconnected me.
 There is something I must discuss with you this morning, Mrs. Graham he said at last, If you are sure you are strong enough to bear the excite m ent.''
 "I am perfectly strong" I returned shortly, dsdaining to reveal to him how much I was disturbed.
 "Very well, then. Will you be seated, please?"
 There was more than a hint of for mality in his tone I was glad to sit down. I felt that could conceal the trembling of my knees better in that posture.
 You perhaps know" Dr. Petit be- gan, "that a report should have been made of this unfortunate occurrence to the proper authorities. have pur- posely delayed making this until you should have recovered from the shock of last night, for the after effects of such a report will concern you most vitally."
 T do not understand" I faltered. |'Please speak more plainly
 Dr. Petit drew @ long breath, braced himself as if he were about to Clve into cold water.
 Well, then, to speak plainly" he said, Eff I report to the police the fact that Miss Draper has attempted to murder your husband and has almost succeeded in killing herself, the next editions of the newspapers will be full Of it. The very worst construction will be placed upon the relationship etween your husband and Miss Dra- per. and there will not be a shred of the reputation of either left.'
 Madge Surprises the Doctor.
 He stopped, flushed and stammered a bit as he went on.
 "Please do not take offense at what I am about to say,' he said, but it Is necessary that you should hear it. If this publicity comes it will not hurt you, except for the unpleasantness of having your name associated with l such an occurrence.
 "Of course, I do not know what your attitude may be in regard to this thing" he went on, flushing painfully, l "but I must point out to you that | the publication of these facts would | be a very effective weapon if, because | of this sad affair, you should wish to | free yourself from your martial ties" 1
 For a moment I was too dumb with ] amazement to answer him. had 1 counted on his wishing to suppress i the facts in order to save me the pain | of publicity. And here he was vir- l tually urging me to allow the terrible l thing to be blazoned to the world that | I might have an excuse to free my 1 self from Dicky
 May I ask, pr. Pettit,' I inquired l frigidly, "why you should imagine 1 that I wish to free myself from my martial ties?''
 Why he stammered, 'T thought l the discovery of your husbands per fdy might"
 I think some hidden emotion had l run away with his discretion, that l these last words would not have been l