The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-10-15

see that Charlie read a great deal in it.
BE knew that I knew his wife much
better than her words admitted. In
vain he strOve to talk of different sub
iectB, and to do the hOnors of the sup
portable. It was q very dull evening,
and I pleaded headache and retired
early. Before I slept waiter brought
me little note. It ran thus:
Keep the secret. Go away tomorrow. If
you have the least love for me, 60"
It was not signed, but I knew that
Charlie Pell's wife had written it.
Go; of course would go, and the
sooner the better.
slept little that night. At daybreAk
to Charlie. 4 telegram from my en-
ployer, 1 stated, called me away. Best
wishes, compliments to Mrs. PelI, etc.
had just addressed and sealed it when
some one raped furiously at my door,
and opening it I found Charlie, who
strobe IN and locked it after him.
We have been friends for many
years, Richmond" he began, "and
have had great confidence in you. Per-
haps you can restore it. Perhaps you
can explain the meaning of your en-
barrassment at the sight of my wife,"
81 really" began.
"No prevarication, said he. tYou
know each other. She sent you a note
last night. l, demand sight of it %
"What does she say ?" I asked.
''She has not been asked to say any
thing" said Pell. ''I leave her to her
own conscience. Let me see the note"
Really" 1 began again. 81 assure
you"
''You are acquainted with Mrs. PelI ?''
said Charlie.
81 have been. Yes"
"You know something about her that
I do not"
"It is nothing to her discredit, " said
I. "Believe me, you had better let the
matter rest. A mere-a coincidence"
"The note related to it ?" said Pell,
black in the face with rage.
"Well, in a measure"
"Show it to me, " roared Charlie.
81 can't" said I. "Ask Mrs. Pell
to explain. I must not show a lady's
letter to any one"
Her husband demands it." said
Charlie.
"Charlie, said I, "what a fool you
are There %
And I cast the little note his wife had
written toward him.
He seized it, perused it eagerly, re-
peated the words:
''If you have the least love for me,
CO."
And he instantly clutched me by the
! throat.
went down. He sat upon my chest
! and choked me.
I couldn't help it then. I had tried
! to keep Mrs. PeIl's secret, but self
| preservation is a law of nature. I
wrenched my cravat from his hands,
and Rrasped his wrists firmly.
/" Let me speak" said.
al give you a moment for confess
sim" said he. "Speak before you
\ die"
"I know Mrs. Pell very well, - said I,
"better than do you. We have been
very fond of each other. She kissed
me when we parted last and called me
her dear Rich Stop a minute, let me
confess all before you choke me. She's
my grandmother. She was Mrs. Char
lotte Richmond before you married her,
wasn't she? I was named after her"
Poor Charlie Pell stopped trying to
choke me and got up at once.
g Your grandmother ?" he repeated.
"Why, she's only twenty-eight."
People become grandmothers very
early sometimes" said I. 'I don't
know her age"
Then Charlie let me get up, and went
and sat with his face in his hands near
the window before he left me.
An hour after received another note
from my grandmother.
DEAR RICH-Dont go unless you choose
I've explained matters to Mr.. Pell.
Yours, c. PELL.
found out afterward that my grand
mother had told dreadful fib about
my being an adopted child but it
really did not matter what poor Charlie
Pell thought about that, so I never
contradicted the statement. And really
now that golden hair-dye has come in,
and she has been exquisitely done by
Madame Blanc, the enameler, my
grandmother has grown so juvenile in
appearance that think she begins to
believe that she is not out of her teens
herself