The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-04-18

hension. Cadwalader, became simply ex
asperated. He tried, once or twice to hurl
forth some denunciation, but his utterance
seemed choked. As a last resort he drew from
his pocket the crumped memorandum, and
Shaping it vigorously with his fore finger, vo-
ciferated:
"Read thatp'
Mrs Tapscott Redeemed, and looked up into
her husbands face with an expression Of min
gled pain and merriment.
SIS that all you have against meT'
ssExplain that first"
She hesitated. Her pride revolted at what
seemed to her an unmanly attack from behind
a cover.
ssStop amoment,o she said, gently but firm
ly. GAS head of the house it becomes you to
start this era of explanations. What is the
nature of your errand to day at Miss Isabel
Whitney's?'
'My goodness, Cynthia! How did you find
that out ~
''Never mind the method; the fact is all
sufficient. When you shall have answered
my question, l will. yours.'' She composed
herself in rocking chair, and met her hus-
bands gaze quite fearlcssly.
After few moments deliberation Cad
wallader thought it best to comply with her
request.
't you are resolved to know, / will tell you
| My business profits have increased so within
| year, that felt able to support more styl-
| ish establishment than this. L have had my
| eye on % Marcelin Place for month or more,
learning that Miss Whitney was thinking of
rentingit A day or two ago 1 saw her ad-
vertisement in the Messenger" 1t was the
same morning that you were so very, very
| pressing with your interrogatories.' His lip
curled slightly, and he paused.
eco on, please"
'Well, / hurried down there directly after
| breakfast, but the house was not to be shown
| to visitors till to day. Nevertheless, 1 have
| the refusal of it, if l continue to like it after
| due inspection"
'Why did yon not say something to me about
all this? You don't know how your behav-
Tor has worried me.''
81 wanted to keep the secret as a surprise
for our anniversary. Now are you satisfied"
Mrs. Cadwallader gave no direct reply, but
tossed into her husbands lap roll of oblong
strips of paper, with printing on one side, and
| cabalistic pencil marks on the margin.
ED stands for editor and there are the
| proofs she exclaimed, triumphantly.
''This, also, was originally intended for
| surprise on anniversary day.
Cadwallader grasped the loose sheets eager
| ly, and ran his eye over them; they looked
very like novelette, for the "Ladles' Litera-
| ry Visitor"
''Then you didn't correspond with the
| editor or any one else through the 'Messen-
ger ?''
''Of course not. Why should L? Every
| line that has passed between us is upstairs,
| at your disposal"
He walked to the fireplace and threw some
| thing on the Goals.
what are you doingY' asked his wife.
"a couple of newspaper scraps, that's all.
| Cynthia, Pm brute.''
Mrs TapscOtt did not see at first any obvi-
| GUS connection between the two propositions.
| But suddenly remote possibility suggested
itself to her mind. she glanced downward
at something in her hand.
| &c. T.. ?'' she inquired senteptiously
&c. t." was the equally sententious reply.
Whereupon it seemed that she had some
thing to burn.
And their mutual distrust vanished up the
chimney with the smoke of the little con-
| fagration-
About one o'clock came a knock at the
library door. 1t is UNDECIDED
So Bridget announced lunch through the
key-hole. and HES her to the kitchen with
mouth wide open, to report this seven days
wonder to the cook. The latter experienced
functionary bids her return to the floor above,
| close her mouth and open her eyes and ears.
She obeys; but the only extraordinary occur
renee all lunch-time is when maste, pours out
| the sherry, rises, glass in hand, and speaks to
the following effect:
"On our wedding day, my love, we made
resolution number one, the substance of which
l need not repeat. Here's success to resolu-
ton number two: that the word personal
be hencefoIth erased from the vocabulary of
the TapScott famy.''
but what shall we do for substitute ?''
asks mistress, with her wine halfway to her
/ lips.
"Use especial or individual or some
other synonymous term" says master.
And then they pledged each other.
FRANCIS ELLINGTON LOOP,