The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-01-31
SYNOPSIS.

beautiful woman whom he knows
only as Zoe. She appears after his en-
gagement Is announced and tries to
kill herself in his studio. Finally she
leaves, swearing she will commit sui
eide the day he marries.
After she goes Crawley has visit
from Godfrey Brooke, traveller, finan-
cier and empire builder, just back
from Africa. Brooke and he had been
good friends when both were poor in
Paris. Brooke had married Diana
Melhuish, and after a two-years' abb
sence was now on the way to his
country house to see the bride he had
left Crawley tells Brooke all about
Zoe and of her mad infatuation, add
ing that he doesn't believe she ever
had husband.
Don't suppose there was" agreed
Brooke grimly.
But" continued Crawley, "she
swore that her husband was nothing
to her. That she had left him for
ever. She hated him. She loved me
I did all could to pacify her; but it
was no good. Then | played my last
card. l told her about Eva"
Brooke whistled obviously.
81 couldn't describe it," continued
Crawley, in a voice that was husky
with excitement. she was terrible
l went through hell"
you seem to have had a pretty
rough time" said Brooke laconically
Did you get rid of herr"
''My dear man." exclaimed Crawley
"she stood there just where you are
and threatened to kill herself there
and then. She had a small phial OF
prussic acid with her. She said she
had sworn to kill herself here in my
room if l would not take her away
THE woman must be mad"
Mad or sane, she was desperately
in earnest, and she would have done il
ii l hadn't snatched the thing from
her and smashed it up. The remains
are in that coal scuttle. That seemed
to sober her little, and l did all
could. At last she consented to leave
me; | promised all sorts of things,
suppose. The whole thing is like q
hideous nightmare; but before she
went she swore by everything that
was holy that on the day of my mar
riage with Eva Warren sh, would Kill
herself Those were her last words"
Crawley buried his face in his
hands. His nerves had gone all tC
pieces. Brooke rose and went over
to his side and laid his hand affection
ately on his friends shoulder.
Cheer up, old man." he said. Pull
yourself together. She won't do any
thing of the sort. The woman isn't
worth a serious thought. It's all non
sense. You were firm. She'll be sober
tomorrow. She won't kill herself!
i bat <,f hi
not even for you. Crawley.'
She'll do something, though. II
Eva were to know this!"
Brooke Insists That
Noel Come With Him.
Nonsense. How could she? Come
you're not fit to be left alone TO-
night. You've just got to come down
to Hatchington with me. Go in and
pack up a few things. Look sharp
We haven't too much time. It'll dc
you a world of good
But I couldn't" protested Crawley
I'm not in fit state to see anyone
You needn't unless you like. There's
only Di there. She's the sort to do you
good Come down CrawleT, and gel
away from all this sordid business
come down and see a good, pure
woman
But I've got to go to Paris to
morrow night"
why not?' You can come up tc
town in the morning. l shall be com
ing up with my wife"
Crawley wavered, do you know,
he said, Il really think l will. l shall
go mad if l stay here alone all night
I cant get that woman out of m!
mind
Then it's settled laughed Brooke
cheerily. Sling a few things into a
bag and come along. We've got tc
get to Waterloo by 1o:15."
1t came close on midnight when
Brooke and Crawley drove into the
gates of the Laurels, fine modern
house standing in pretty park-like
grounds on the outskirts of Matching
ton about two miles from Guildford.
"This is a nice time of night tc
bring stranger to your house,
laughed Crawley. 81 expect Mrs
Brooke will bless me. I expect she's
in bed and asleep by this time?'
Not She" retorted Brooke. Shed
wait up all night for me, bless he1
heart"
There was something almost child
like in Godfrey Brooke's devotion tc
his wife and his joy at being with
her again after his long absence in