The Washington herald., 1920-11-30
TheMarriageM Mill
UNDER GUIDANCE.
By Mildred X Barbour
yfocpynght. 1f1o. by rhs whseisr
eyndicsts ise-l


Alison stood staring stupIdly at
the man who had announced himself
her counsel In a suit for divorce
Then her glance. flashing win
FIRE. went 10 Barbara Wales. who
was sitting piscidly by the FIRE.
though q malicious little smile
played round her thin lips.
what does this mean. Cousin
Barbsrag" demanded Alison in
dignantIy. Il didn't send for this
this gentleman. haven't even con-
sidered a divorce-seriously"
well, it's time you did"
Miss Wales mouth set grimIy.
After the interview with your
in-laws last night at which you
were not present should think
your pride at least, would send you
to Mr.. Brooks. That cat of a Ward
well woman had the audacity to in
sinuate that you were running her
precious nephew's life And as for
his MOTHER
She broke OF with a little ees-
ture of her thin hands
M Brooks" addressing the law
yer firmly. Il will conduct this af-
fair, since my young cousin seems
to be as chicken-hearted as her
mother OF course, we want an alb
solute divorce. Alison will wish
to marry again probably. and be-
sides, ! don'r~believe in leaving sny
strings in an affair Of this sort. NY
cousin will be a rich woman when
die. She is my only heir-if she
doesn't act like a fool"
She sent Alison a sharp glance.
but the latter was staring out Of
the window into Kate Gibson's
windswept garden, biting her lips
for self-control.
The lawyer bowed with more Def
erence- At mention of the legacy,
a little CLEAN OF interest had an
psared in his impassive eyes.
Il shall observe your wishes. Miss
Wales. Now, IL Mrs. Osborne will
tell us -
Alison sprang up.
Il must ask you to excuse me,
Mr.. Brooks. i have an important
engagement Moreover, / have not
definitely decided to get a divorce.
When / reach that decision, / will
send for you"
Don't be a fool" cut in Miss
Wales. Mr.. Brooks time is vaIu-
able. He has already done us a
great favor in coming out here to-
day. Sit down and act like a ra-
tional being-if you can"
As helplessly as though a strong
hand had forced her back into her
chair. Alison obeyed.
She was furious with Barbara
Wales; disgusted with the suave.
sleek man opposite; sick with the
situation; but some stronger will
than her own seemed to hold her
there Quiescent
She found herself DULY relating
the incidents which had led up to
the final break with Larry. Under
Miss Wales skilful prompting, she
revealed every sickening detail OF
her whole marital fiasco. hating her
self the while, as intimate detail
after intimate detail was barred for
Miss Wales evident enjoyment and
the sleek lawyers professional edi-
fcation.
Now. of course, Mrs. Osborne.
your grounds for legal action might
De incompatibility, or perhaps
drunkenness, and even cruelty. But
, 1t would take time to build up such
a case, and you would have TO take
up a residence elsewhere. since the
courts OF this State do not recog-
niZe such actions. Row, we could
expedite matters il you could sup
iply other evidence. What about a
divorce on-er-statutory grounds"
Alison stared at him blankly.
You mean"
Have you no idea of the exist
ence Of another woman"
Crimson fiared in Alison's smooth
cheeks. She got up and walked to
the window.
'1-don't-know." she replied un-
lcertainly, I'd rather not"
Don't be ridiculous," Miss Wales
admonished her. To the lawyer she
| said: Il think we can excuse my
| cousin now. You and / will ar
range ahis matter between us. She
is not capable of acting for her
self"
(COntinued Tomorrow.D
/