The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1844-11-16

'What, my dear
is it true what Frank has just told
ne.
'l' is true, Emma. | have 10 nigh
1een inisted.'
The young wife would have gladly
been angry. Blu, Franks gay manner,
aud his wile's merriment at her surprise
drove the cloud from her brow.
'Well, Charles, If you Rave really
been SO idle as 10 join this o. der, / can't
help il. Clara has been speaking high
y Of it hut yet have preludices.
Come now, divulge the secret, and
clear your breast and conscience a, once
and ! forgive you.
The secret is silence, answered
Charles gravely.
'Don'' lantaIize, Charles. What is
he secret
The new initiated placed his forefn
ger on his lips, and then removing it,
said, impresslveIy. 1T is silence
How provoking cried his wife.
'exed 'nd laughing. Il declare am
al mind to-,o gel up some terrible
'ecrel as an Offset to yours
Don'; fearher, Charles said his
friend. 'She would come and tell it to
Clara here, and Clara would tell il TO
ne before we went 10 sleep, and then
COULD communicate the terrible affair."
to you. you know
/ dare say have secrets Frank,
ever told you,' said his wife archly.
How provoking these men sre,'
aid Mrs. Lndon. Come Odd Fellow
see II you can put on my shawl
lne next Tuesday evening, at The Tea
able, after LILLE embarrassment and
hesitation, Charles Lindon SAID 10 hi,
vife-'Emma shall be absent part Of
he evening"
Where, Charles?'
1t is Lodge night. would like ,c
20 in for an hour or iwo.'
Mrs. lindon looked very grave, and
lightly pouted. She did not make any
"eply.
Shall | gol'
'As you please. Ii you prefer the
,oclety Of your 'new brothers. 10 niue,
| have nothing 10 say
you look dispeased, will stay a
1ome.'
mo go. You have expressed you,
reference. | am willing you should
oIlow it,.
How can you be so unreasonable
Immd2'
Mrs, Lindon got up from The table
md left the room. Charles remained .
t-w moments thoughtful, aud then ros,
md deparled for the Lodge. Ga his
elurn he found Emma had retired. O,
rscending TO her room, he found tn,
Ioor locked within. A piece of paper
Nas stuck upon the outside panel, on
which he read.
"NUPTIAL LoDGE, No. l.
No Admttsnce without the Counter
ign
Al first he stood perifed with aston
lshmenl. Then he burst forth into =
IouI peal Of laughter, There was a
richness and beautiful appropriateness il
he jesi, that pleased him, though al hi,
lwO expense. He knocked and said
Love
That i' not The pass word. No ad-
" sand the triumphant voice OF
lis wife wilhin.
After making one or two more Other
'qu4lly unsuccessful efforts, he was for
ed 10 confess himself conquer ed: and
With an exclamation about she wit oil
he slowly retired from lht
loor of Dhis Lodge, from which he wa.
lebarred, and spent the night on a dvan
n the parlor,wIth his cloak for cover
id.
AT breakfast next morning, Mrs
.indon was in fine spirits. Charles wa.
lso happy that the humor had taken
YER thus kindly, and he cheerfuIIy ac-
inowledged himself defeated. AnerI
hey had made themselves sufficiently
merry over The affair, she said serious
y:
But Charles, | still insist ih,re car
'e no good in an institution that keeps
husband away from his wiferII aftr lie
''cock.'
Your father was Mason; and
ave heard him say that at The meeting
# the Royal Arch Chapter, or some
ueh thing, he sometimes was kept our
i'll two O'Clock. Did he love his vile