South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-09-29


knew that he was in the house.
As / rose from the tiny table !
heard Betty's shutting footsteps.
followed by hrmer tread, coming
toward the door Of the room where
7 was. 8Iy heart began 10 beat
faster. I felt glad that the hour Of
my testing was at hand.
For the Hrmer steps following
Betty's we're those Of DR.. Petit
WHY DIR. PETIT PROMISED NOT
TO REPORT THE TRAGIC
INCIDENT
"Ah, good morning, Mrs. Graham
7 am glad to see you are looking
better"
The commonplace words from the
lips of Or. Petit ushered in what
promised to be an interview Of mo-
ment 10 me.
ct am feeling much better. thank
YOU" I replied. Il understand that
Dicky is much better this morning
and that Miss Draper has rallied
Mr.. Graham will need but very
1 little more attention" DR.. Petit re-
piled ole may sit up today, and
I
well as ever. But Miss Diapers
condition is another matter. True.
her vitality is surprising. If no in
lection develops she stands a very
good chance Of recovering; other
wise we will have a stiff fight on our
I hands"
81 am so sorry" 1 said family.
/ The physician was regarding me
I with grave. inscrutable eyes, which
/ Disconnected me
/ There is something I must dis
/ cuss with you this morning. Mrs.
I Graham" ne said at last. of you
are sure YOU are strong enough to
/ bear the excitement"
81 am perfectly strong" I return
| ed shortly. disdaining TO reveal TO
4 him how much I was disturbed.
VERY we'll then. Will you be
/ seated. please o"
There was more than a hint Of
\ formality i'm his tone. was glad to
| sit down ] felt that ! could conceal
tine trembling Of my knees better in
that posture
'You perhaps know DIR. Petit
/ began. that a report should have
been made Of this unfortunate oc-
I currence to the proper authorities.
I ] have purposely delayed making
/ this until YOU should have recovered
/ from the shock of last night. for the
after effects of such a report viii
+ concern YOU most vitality"
Ell do not understand" I faltered.
. ed L. 10 v,Tr
Or. Petit drew a long breath,
braced himself as if he were about
20 dive into cold water.
Wen, then. TO speak plainly" he
said. eff L report TO the police the
f1Ct that Miss Draper has attempted
90 murder your husband and she
. almost succeeded in killing herself
the next editions of the newspapers
viii be full OF It, The very worst
construction viii be placed upon the
. relationship between your husband
end Miss Draper, and there will not
Doe a shred of the reputation Of
either left"
Madgc Surprises the Doctor.
He stopped. flushed and stammer-
ed a tit as ne went on.
Please do not take onense at
what I am about 10 say he said
"but it is necessary that YOU should
hear IT, If this publicity comes it
viii not hurt You. except for the un-
. pieasautness of having your name
associated with such an occurrence.
"Of course do not know what
YOUR attitude may be i'm regard 10
this thing" he went on. flushing
painfully. "but 7 must point out 10
you that the publication Of these
facts would be a very effective
weapon If. because Of this sad af-
fair. YOU should wish to free your
self from your marital ties
For moment ] was too dumb
with amlzement TO answer him.
mad counted ON his wishing 10 sup
press the facts I'm order 10 save me
Che pam OF publicity And here he
twas virtually urging me 60 allow the
terrible thing 20 be blazoned TO the
world that 7 might have an excuse
90 free myself from Dicky,
MAY ask. Dr. Petit" 7 in
guired frig.dly why YOU should
'ir.agine that wish 10 be free from
. INV marital ties o."
why" he stammered. ct thought
the discovery of your husbands
peridy might"
think some hidden emotion baI
rum away with his discretion. thae
these last words would not have boon
+ spoken II he had taken sober
second thought
But i gave him no time 10 retract
Them I spraug 10 my feet ana
faced him. alternately flushing and
pa'ns with the intensity of my emo
tom
simply Iet Things Go"
"AIy husbands perddy," 7 ex-
claimed passionately- "You surely
do not understand. Dr. Petit. AIy
husband has not been untrue 20 rne
Indeed. he was shot because he
would not be- He has been foolish
careless. and has hurt me cruelty
this summer. but there has been
nothing in his actions which would
give me any reason for leaving him.
In fact. all our differences were
straightened out the day I came "a
near drowning az the beach. We