The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-07-28
From Blackweod
THE WIPES SECRET.
(coNCLUDED.)

All this had an evil effect upon Paul Yer
dots habits. He began to frequent much
more than he ought to have done, a wine-
shop near the Pont Neuf kept by one Bon
temps, and this leI Of course to fresh alterca-
tions with his wife. Cine morning, after a
late breakfast, duriag which he had listened
in moody silence to his wiie's earnest remon-
strances upon his growing habits Of intem-
perance, he raised his pale, almost haggard
face, from the hands in which it bad been
buried, and looking up at her with something
of sad sternness, said: "Lucilie, when We
married, I gave you everything; 1 do not
mean alone my worldly sHbstance-though
that was considerable, and has been ever
since, as you know, more yours than mine, !
gave you ALI my heart, my confidence, my
every thought was and is open to yoa. You
cannot say the same, Lucile; and yet you
must know it is the weight Of the accused
secret you so jealousy guard, that is sinking
me into the abyss of low vice which abhor
a. much as you do"
"What accused secret! Surely"
"The child!" cried Paul, starting to his
feet, and addressing his wife with passionate
and imploring voice and gesture. "Tell me
in what way il is connected with you, who
rhe mysterious correspondent oil yours is; lei
me know the worst, il worst there be. will
bear any hing for your sake, beloved Lucille
even shame, if you will be but frank and
candid with your husband"
"Shame" repeated the wife, rallying with
the sting of the word, show dare you adj
dress such word to me! Twill tell 20.
nothing"
sThen am lost man." exclaimed Paul
aud seizins HE hat he rushed out Of the house
and in few minutes was seated in the wine
shop. He was still there ween evening fell
very early-for the month OF January, ant
the weather unusually dark and coId--an'
shad been drinking freely all day, when a mes
sage arrived from Madame VERDICT, who wlsh
ed to speak with him without delay. Pau
rose sullenly and followed the messenge
home. The establishment he found wa
closed, the work-people dismissed, and hi
wife dressed as il going out. She was YER
pale and seemingly excited, but her name
was unusually kind and caressiug. "Psu
she said, laying her hand on his arm as he fr
into q char, al am going out and tn
child: q facre is waiting for US a, the bac
gate, and shall not probably return for sew
eral hours" The husband made no rep '
and she went on: 81 have given Jeannett
leave to 60 home, ana nope therefore yo
will not 60 out again. And, Paul." adde
the wife, kissing his forehead, 81 feel hav
been much to blame in having any conceal
ments from you, aud promise you that t,
morrow you shall know all"
Tomorrow shall know all, you promise!
al do, solsmnly. And now good-by Cor
WHILE"
She went out and presently Paul Verde
heard the smack Of a whip and the sound
departing wheels from outside the back va
entrance. He sat for considerable time
a sort of confused, dozy dream, but the Fl
getting low, he reused himself, raked the er
.bers together, threw on two or three fre
logs, and ressated himself, his wife's promis
as he described IL, gradually warning abo
his heart: al shall know all to- .norrow,"
sudibly calculated, and as the words pass
his lips, his eyes fell upon the smoulderil
fragments of letter, rendered visible in q