The enquirer southerner., 1874-12-04

sald ana done the most OreaO1ul
things. I think they wanted me to
live and die an old bachelor but at
one-and- twenty, my dear fellow, a
man must think of settling you
know, and it's absurd for them to
be SO implacable. And my lady is,
perhaps year or two older than
am and very lively-a gay young
widow, you know-and that they
End fault with.
''Don't briog her to my house,
says mamma-indeed she did; but
you-you, I know, have sympathy
with me. You comprehend that I
could not forget one I adored, be>
cause an old lady and little girl
told me to do SO. You'll under~
stand that no one in my place
could, when you are introduced to
Lofty. I met her while on a busi>
ness trip for the house. but
here we are. We sup in our own
little parlor. Lofty has quite a
fortune, you know, and lives in
style at home. Ishall manage the
place for her hereafter. The waiter
will show you to your own room,
and, to our parIor when you are
ready for our society. Number
twenty-four, john
And away he few, while J has
tened to number Twenty four, made
a careful toilet, and hastened down
stairs, coming pretty speech
which | intended to make to my
friends bride. When l knocked at
the door l heard a suspicious fut>
ter, and doubted not that some Of
the billing and cooling necessary to
the situation had been going on,
but Charles opened the door for
me, and l sawa lady in lilac silk
and plenty of lace sitting near the
window. Being very near sighted
1 saw no more except that she had
fan in her hand, and was trifing
with it.
Come in, Richmond, said Char
lie. my dear Lottie, this is my
old friend, Richmond Walters. My
wifi, Rich
l advanced. The lady arose.
She was stout and blonde. Isav
her face. She saw mine. For one
moment we stood perfectly silent
then she put out her hand and
t'ok it. Neither of US said word
but if my face flushed as redly as
hers did-and I think it did-it is
no wonder that Charles Pcll stared
at us.
What woul | she do 2 l asked
myself. Women are quicker than
men, She did nothing; she mere
ly gave me an icy bow and turned
away her head, and l dropping her
hand, retired to the other window,
while Charles stood between u:
looking suspiciously at me, anC
growing very pale.
You have met Mrs. Pell before
perhaps 2 he inquired at last; try
ing to speak very gayly.
| sI-I-I,' I stammered.
Once, a long while ago said
Mrs. Pell. Il don't think the gen
tlemen remembers me-.
And then she famed herself il
silence.
1t was very uncomfortable.
have always had a tell-tale face
and l could see thst Charlie read
great deal in it. He knew that
knew his wife much better than he
words admitted. In vain he stroy,
to talk of Indifferent subjects, an
to do the honors of the supper table
1t was a very dull evening, and
pleaded headache and retired early
Before l slept waiter brought m
little note. 1t ran thus:
"Keep the secret. Go away to
morrow. If you have the leas
love for me, co.
It was not signed, but kne'
that Charlie Pelrs wife had writ
ten it.
Go; of course l would 60, an
the sooner the better.
I slept little that night: A
daybresk / arose, and scrubbed
brief farewell to Charlie. A tel
egram from my employer, | stated
called me away. Best wishes, com
pliments to Mrs. PelI, etc. l hat
Just addressed and sealed it whe1
some one raped furiously at m,
door, and opening it, | found Char
lie, who strobe in and locked it afte
him.
sWe have been friends for man
years, Richmond he began, 'an
I have had great confidence in yor
Perhaps you can restore it. Per
haps you can explain the meanln
of your embarrassment at the sigh
of my wife
Il really Il began.
mo prevarication, said he
You know each other. She ser
you a note last night. l demand
sight Of it!'
What does she say?' l asked.
sShe has not been asked to sa
anything said Pell. I leave he
to her own conscience. Let me sc
the note 2
Really 1 began again. 1 a:
, sure you.
: you are acquainted with Mr.
Pell 2 said Charlie.
|. Il have been. Yes
'You know something about h,
that I do not
j., 1T is nothing to her discredit