The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-12-18


is very much to be deprecated; but let us
hope that he will change for the better"
said our hostess Il think even now he
exhibits signs of repentance
"Until lately" she replied, placing an
emphasis upon the word, 81 had not the
slightest clue to the gentleman"
SDoes she know the truth % l. asked
myself. "Have I betrayed myselfP' 81
might have known that her woman's IN
stnct would detect me"
While these aud similar thoughts occu-
pied my mind, became engaged IN an
interesting conversation with Miss Wright
in the course of which allusion was made
to the last opera night.
"Did l attend it?''
"Really, was it the last, or the one pre-
ccding it, or the second? Certainly l at,
tended one ofthem, but which one OF them!
Ny memory was so treacherous Per-
naps it was the last; at least, there was
sutfocating crush"
And the conversation went on as before.
The depression removed all doubt from
her mind. I, at least, had known moth
ing of her adventure prior to that evening,
when her misunderstanding brother maGc
it public.
l don't think l was romantic at the time,
and yet must confess that, from the be-
ginning of our acquaintance, l entertained
the hope that Miss Wright would one day
become NY wife. l was not disappointed.
1t was perhaps, six months after we
were married, that | carried homo in my
pocket newspaper containing fiatter-
ing notice of Lucy Walters, AS Mrs.
Clark employed herself with her work, l
drew forth the paper and read to her the
notice. Lucy was pursuing her studies
and had carried off the prize medal. AS
she listened to the fattering comments
paid 10 her protege; my wife's face lit up
with glow of pleasure.
''RaIph used to laugh at me when ! told
him that Lucy would one Gay make a
name for herself" she said musingly. 81
have so often wondered" she continued,
as she resumed her work, "who it was
that gave her the money"
sYou mean the person who accompanied
you to your uncle Graham's from the
concert" said /.
"Yes, she replied; sit was very singu-
lar, his giving the money in the way be
did"
DOUBTLESS he did it to secure your
good opinion" said [.
"Thcn he has never had the satisfaction
of knowing how it was received said my
wife
"Of course be has, though" said I.
''How do you know ~ inquired Mrs.
Clark, looking up from her work. "He
may be dcad.''
':But he is living, Caroline" said I.
"Who is living?" she asked.
''The person you SO often think about
who sent Lucy Walters the money, and
whom you. kissed
"Mr. Clark r. exclaimed my wife, rs
the work fell from her hands into her lap
'.Mrs Clark" retorted.
"You don't think How can you cay
such thing?" And puzzled express
sion rested upon my wife's face, which
in spite of all my powers of resistance
forced me to laugh aloud.
"Oh, / remember now," she said
"Ralph said something like that once
when you were present"
Then, Mrs. Clark, you deny having
kissed him ?"
She threw her work aside suddenly and
arose.
"Harly, is it possible that it was you p
every probable, certainly"
"And you have concealed it all this
time! You arc the most deceptive oi
mcnw she exclaimed.
"Don't blame me for doing what neither
you or any other woman can do" said |,
''and that is, keep q secret-nnless it be
her age"
81 will not believe it," said Mrs Clark
because you tried to surprise me into
confession and failed" l replied. "Then
let this be proof"
was prepared for this scene, and
drew from my pocket the embroidered
handkerchief and pointed out her initials
whereupon we mutually agreed that she
had made fOrtun1te mistake