Show the pseudo husband fa I 1 a 0 by DOROTHY WHITCOMB 13 hi P copyright 1922 western no Nw napper wo paper union mrs edith durham b bowed ow e d sligh t I 1 Y to the llie gentleman who took ills his seat beside tier her at lir lier table aboard the kiaus atlantic steamship the card upon ills his plate read mr durham and evidently tile the steward had mistaken him for her husband she smiled a little at this because tier her husband was not accompanying her to new york their conversation was of the usual polite fragmentary order common to ocean travelers at their first meal they paced the deck together and it was ivas in the lato late afternoon when edith durham turned suddenly upon tier her companion does it strike you as ordinary she asked at ou have not told me your name sly my name naine inquired ahe the man taken aback my name naine Is james illch anund 1 I asked said the woman coldly because I 1 fancy most people in the first cabin believe that you are my husband lius band and she continued it seems to me that you have done nothing to dispel that belief you have hava not only taken mr durhams seat but you have kept at my side in an aa ostentatious manner mr air durham Is not aboard this ship replied the other quietly and pray how do you know that slie she demanded im going to throw myself upon your mercy mrs durham he said let me tell you all before you say a word wora richmond continued two days ago I 1 had bad dined at princess restaurant in piccadilly I 1 strolled up toward hyde park carlt in the evening enjoying the summer air and thinking of my future I 1 had used life 1 1 successfully I was becoming known as a leader at 0 the bar everything seemed roseate I 1 had reached auyde park before I 1 was aware ot of it and entering I 1 seated myself upon a chair As I 1 sat there concealed by a tree trea from passersby passers by a hansom stopped A man and a bonan in evening dress got out the man was mad with excitement cit ement the woman was calm lie ile was talking like a maniac threatening her apparently 1 I gathered that they vere siere husband and wife ile he wanted her to divorce him film and she refused and at last he took tier by the shoulders and struck tier across the mouth 1 I sprang front from my seat and drove my iny fist into ills face lie ile fell ell back striking a lamppost lamp post with his head quivered a moment and lay still when I 1 raised illin him I 1 could see at once that lie he was dead 1 I took the first train for southampton and abild bought a ticket to america I 1 booked as james richmond my real name naine Is carlyle I 1 found by inquiry that you were traveling alone though your husbands name was waa down upon tile the list ue looked up for the first time if yoji will let roe me keep your husbands name he said it will not harm harin or compromise you in any way and I 1 can land others otherwise ise I 1 shall be arrested in new york edith durham placed her hand lightly on tits his 1 I will do as you ask she said in a voice trembling with emotion because of your sisters sake and yours and also tor for the sake of that unknown woman whom you so chivalrously defended because because I 1 think she must be glad gd lie he carried edith durhams suitcase down the gangway nt at new york unmolested lie he helped her ber into a taxicab and placed her suitcase at her side he raised his hat bar 1 I thank you tor for my sisters sake he said we shall not meet again I 1 shall go west and you will return to england 1 I shall never go back to england she said with sudden vehemence ile he felt that hat she had something of import to add he waited suddenly slie she bent toward hi him M dont you know ml me she asked with a half sob that man was my husband Y |