The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-08-23
[Fron Chambers Eding6u,y Journal.
THE WIFE'S SECRET.

[Froas Chambers Edingbury Journal
THE WIFE's SECRET.
CONCLUDED.
"Ah, what tangled web we weave"
says somebody, when we first prac-
tice to deceive though after little
trying there is nothing easier than
living / protest I feel like q pick
pocket, as I lodged and lurked about
our crescent, watching in the distance
my own door, to see whether Mrs. B.
would cross the threshold. I suppose
I have none of the attributes necessary
to the profession of detective, for
whenever passer-by cast his eyes Oh
me, I felt myself blushing all over,
and hanging my head on one side, as
dog hangs his tail. I dared not, OF
course, stop in the crescent, but loi-
tered at the corner of IL street which
commanded it, now trying to dig up
the tops of the coal cellars by insert
ing the nozzle of my umbrella in their
circular holes, ard. now eliciting
mpurnful music by dragging it against
the area ratings. Exhausted with
these exercises. J. lad been leaning
against lamp post for about ten mi
'5autes, vixen the door of O house oppo-
site suddenly opened, and e widow
lady of vast proportions came swiftly
,cuta upon me with her cap string
streaming in the wind.
''Now you just 60 away, my gentle
man" she said, in menacing voice,
''before the police makes yon. I
know who you're looking for, and L
can tell you she amt a coming, for
I've got her locked up in the coal
cellar. know you, although you've
not got your red coat on to-day; and
mind-if you get another slice OF meat
in my house, I'll prosecute you as sure
rs my name is Mivins.'
'tGracious heavens, madam, cried
I, edo you take me for a common sol
dier?"
mo, sir, answered she, malicious
ly, 'bnt for tupcnny-hapenny Life
Guardsman, who never saw q shot
fired in his life; and if you ever come
here after my Jemima again"
I turned and fed--into the very
arms of the abominabie Peabody.
"Make haste" exclaimed he, ''there
is not moment to be lost. No. the
cab is coming this way; you may see
for yourself whether I am not right
this time.">
And sure enough, who should drive
by at a rapid rate but Apna Maria in
a four-wheeled cab, and without her
bonnet, and with a flower in her hair.
This blow, coming so close upon the
attack of the widow lady, was almost
more than I could bear"
"Where can she be going to?" gasp
ed I, half unconsciously. "It's tie
most extraordinary thing ever heard
of
IT have heard of similar things,
returned Peabody, quietly, "althougl
I never experienced anything of the
sort myself. OF course, don't know
where she is going to; but the dircc
ton she has taken is towards ST.
Johns Wood"
I hastened back to my own house
and with the air of man who ha
forgotten something, began to scare
in the pockets of a great coat hangin;
up in the hall.
"By-the-by," said I, as the servan
who. let mo in was disappearing, g
think your mistress must have got
after all. Just run up, and tell her
want to see her for minute.
Emily Jane, who had been in ou
service ever since we were married
turned as scarlet rs her cap ribbons.
''Sir,' said she, bolder than brass
''misses has just stepped out; she hi;
taken two of the little girls for morr
ing walk"
(which two?" inquired I, lookin
this abandoned young person full
the face. Her subtle spirit was cove
by that course of procedure; she r.
piled that she did not know-sf
d;ln't recollect-she hadn't paid pa
ticular attention, but she rs.tht
thought that it was the two youngest
all in breath.