The Placer herald., 1871-10-07
Mrs. CLARK7S SECRET:
OR, ALMOST A TRAGEDY.
DY MARY A. EEABLES,

1
and clergyman. Six weeks after bis intro
duction to Laura Foss, Harry Clark made
her his wife. Marry in haste, and repent
at leisure" is the old proverb, and the bride
groom discovered bis case to be no exception
Before the honeymoon was over, Mrs. Clark
was gay, lovely, charming as ever, and yet
Mrs. Clark was myth.
To be explicit, Mrs. Clark had a secret.
This our discounted Benedict discovered ere
he had worn the matrimonial shackles a
| week. A secret-what right had she to
have . secret, the nature of which he was
as ignorant as the man in the moon? Nc
right at all-and yet she persisted in the
error of her ways, and kept her devoted
liege lord in a most delightful pickle from
day to day, though we will say, however,
! in all justice to the lady, she had no idea Of
the perturbed state of the aforesaid husband 8
mind.
Now tie facts Of the case were these.
Mrs. Laura Clark was a very beautiful wo-
man, with very dark blue eyes, witching
curls, and teeth like pearls. Always little
Jealous by nature, Clark watched his wife
! with Argus eyes. Did Mrs Clark look ;:pon
another of the steiner sex? and if SO, what
right had she to do so? Indeed, was it not
her bounden duty to close her eyes to every
masculine save Harry Clark, Esq? Most
certainly; and yet his beloved Laura did
allow her eyes to wander-did speak in mel
odious tones to another-a tall, dark, heavily
whiskered fellow, whom the aforesaid Harry
lurking in the shadow, felt most vehement
desire to introduce to the toe his boot, or
vice versd.
Remember-not word fc- the worldl'
he heard her say, very softly-"it it would
ruin me forever!"
"Depend on me, madam" answered the
handsome ruffian.
eyes, 1 shall depend upon YOU"
Clark tremhled in bis boots with rage,
yea, bis very knees knocked together in the
extremity of his anger; moreover, be thought
his wife's voice was unsteady, as with some
deep emotion, and as she turned her face so
he could note its expression, he was struck
with its ghastly pallor.
His first impulse was to rush frantically
forth and demand from the guilty parties an
explanation thought, however,
prompted him to keep silent; beeiaes Mr.
Clark was a dainty nan Of no Eerculsan
proportions, no match for the tall, handsome,
military looking person who was in the act
of receiving yellow coin from the fair hand
of the gentle Laura.
Zounds and blazes" calculated Mr..
Clark, in q muhled Whisper" gold-aay
gold-l'll wager guinea--my gold for keep
ing her secret"
''This is the last payment, you know"
be heard his devoted better half calculate
"my mind is easier now. l was 60 afraid. :"
"Not that would expose your
Decidedly yes-O, Merdeau"
"Dcctor, eh ?" whispered Clark, fercely.
' Doctor Mcrdeau."
"Not for the world, Mrs. Clark, but
but has not your husband a suspicion ?"
Not BREATH
Hasn't he, thought" put in Clark, in
furious manner.
"Then it's all right" said whiskers;
"just keep him in ignorance. Don't open
your mouth too widely, and"
"No danger of her telling It'll her mouth
is close enough on the subject, III warrant"
whispered Clark, glaring ferociously from
his shadow.
And now good day, madam, till you
need my services again, said the polite doc
| tor.
(Which she never shall, if my names
Hal Clark" And yet but week after
wards he met the aforesaid doctor taking his
leave from the front door as he CLARK came
up the steps.
Mr.. Clark kept bis own counsel-he did
not knock the aforesaid doctor to the earth,
al 4 = bat v,n
stalked brim full of anger up to his wife's
room. On bis way up he met the servant
girl, who had let Doctor Merdeau from the
house, and the following dialogue took place
Clark threateningly-" Bridget"
Bridget trembling" Sir ?"
Clark" Who was that man who went
| out just now, and what did be want?"
Biddy-" A fine gintleman. yer honor,
who gave poor garle quarter as he wint
out and may be the misthress can be afther
telling ye betther than me what he was af-
ther within. as she it was he saw in her own
roomw
Thunderation! exclaimed the furious
husband, and up stairs he sped.
He found bis wife reclining upon lounge,
her face buried in the pillow. When ad-
dressed by her caloric husband, she vouch-
safed no reply except monosyllables now
and then, and gush Of tears as be called
her to account for what had occurred.
eyes, madam said Mr.. Clark, elo-
quently, putting bis handkerchief to his eyes,
stage fashion" after lavishing upon you the
wealth of my ardent affections, loving you
as man never loved BEFORE" here Mr.. Clark
blew his nose violently" have, after all
this, madam, discovered-discovered-ls say
have discovered"
Mr.. Clark hestated.
"What?" came up in mufiled tones from
the pillow.
"What, indeed ?" cried our hero tragic
ally. "Wbat have discovered? Would
you have me tell-would you have me ask
| your secret 2"