MONTIE DUNDAS'S LAST 8T0BT, 37 



sure by bringing about an estrangement between Gladys 

 Kawnsley and myself. It matters not how; it is sufficient 

 that she lied damnably to us both. Then, in a fit of temper 

 at what I considered Gladys' ill-treatment, I proposed to 

 Dorothy Mortimer, and was accepted by her. We were 

 soon married, and in a very short time I discovered that she 

 was heartless, selfish, and utterly unscrupulous ; that she was 

 a liar and a forger. I found out that she had forged letters to 

 bring about a rupture with Gladys Rawnsley, that she had 

 forged my signature to securities, and that she had pawned 

 both my gifts to her and some of the family jewels too. But 

 being my wife, I still did all I could to shield the name she 

 bore from shame; we lived a good deal apart, I either in 

 barracks or at my place in Northamptonshire, while she 

 visited or resided at whichever fashionable resort suited her. 

 We never stopped in the same house if it could be avoided. 

 Another drink of water, dear friend. I am getting weaker 

 and weaker. I shall have to be quick. 



" Then came the final rupture. For some time she had 

 been encouraging a fellow called Milner, an awful outsider, 

 but very rich. How he got his wealth I know not, probably 

 inherited it for all I know, but he had a very shady reputation 

 on the turf, and ugly rumours were floating about concerning 

 him. I warned my wife that the slightest scandal would 

 prove her undoing, and she was wise enough to keep quiet. 

 However, the winter before last found me as usual at my 

 hunting quarters in Northamptonshire ; my wife was supposed 

 to be in Scotland with an aunt. Do you remember, Charlie, 

 the great gallop from Kilworth ? you and I were well in it. 

 Of course you do. When I got home that day — I left directly 

 after that run — I found a wire from the Colonel, who wanted 

 to see me on some business or other, so I caught the express 

 to town, had my interview with the chief, and dined at mess. 

 Going home that night from the club a hansom passed me, 



