New Britain herald., 1928-10-09
W ~! :: |! T ( |tI,lJ> ID


land what was the nature OF
that conversation"
II uphraided him. He was
with a girl l knew. They were
| planning to elope."
How did you know they were
planning to elope?"
"Oh. ] KNOW they were"
"And you know the woman? We
might subpoena her. Had you wit
this woman's feelings toward you
at this time?"
Sybil threw out her hands.
ooh. MIR. Peterson-you don't I'M
toned it. ! couldn't possibly drag
anyone into this-particularly this
this lady"
who is she. madam? And what
have been her relations with your
ashland? Has there been an open
liaison?"
Hideous questions, Horrible man.
Sybil shuddered.
Really. Mr. Peterson. must de-
cline to answer 1t seems hardly
necessary
The old man smiled patiently.
My dear young woman. 1t is MOST
necessary" he explained indul-
gently. surely you do not think
I am vuIgarly curious. ! am man
fof
have come to me. presumably. be-
cause you trust me. and wish me to
help you. You must be absolutely
frank with me. II you wish to
withhold certain facts. | must de-
cline to accept the case"
Mr.. Peterson peered through tor
toise- shell glasses at his finger nails.
and. for the space of 60 seconds.
while he appraised them thorough
ly. you could have heard pin
drop. Then Syhil broke the throb-
bling silence.
81 beg your pardon" she said,
Let me begin at the beginning. and
tell you everything. Then you will
understand how absolutely imp' : j.
BILE it is to bring the charge You
have in mind"
GraveIy he heard her out. And
when she had finished. she con-
Guided hopefully-"And now you
see why l want so fearfully to get
the divorce on some respectable
ground - incompatibility. or some
thing like that"
MIR. Peterson inclined his head.
THAT would be NICE" he con-
ceded with grim humor, only in
Massac huSetts we don't do things
that way. There are seven grounds
Tor divorce in this state. Most OF
them ugly. Incompatibility is not
one of them. Non-support is that
you might cali the most 'respecta-
BILE In your case we might fall
back on gross and confirmed habits
of intoxication,' or cruel and abus-
i've treatment
ION the other hand. your hus-
band might bring a counter charge.
alleging desertion. He might even
allege cruel and abusive treatment.
You LETT him, you see. sick and
alone. III Havana
But. MIR. Peterson, he was
DRUNK
He might produce evidence to
the contrary. Tropical malaria. he
might call it. Affidavits from Gu
ban doctors. hotel clerks-it could
be arranged"
but | have witnesses - the
Moores."
"Mm-m-yes Well. we'll see.
shall prepare the papers for SER
vice Immediately. The case will be
listed with others on the divorce
docket. We must wait until it Is
called. The law moves slowly.
doubt If we can get heard before
the September session.
Sybil c!asped her hands ner-
vously, remembering Tad's dire
predictions.
"There won't be any publicity
Mr.. Peterson ." she inquired.
THAT" he told her gravely, sis
something we never can tell. II
we can arrange for an uncontested
action. probably rot. If Mr.. Eusti.
contests. should say there would
probably be great deal of 1t
Headlines. you know. and pictures
And all sorts of innuendoes and in
ferenccs.
THE American public loves scan
~. =.