The Van Buren press., 1874-12-01

window. Being very near sighted l saw
no more, except that she had fan in her
hand, and was triding with it.
Gene in, Richmond" said Charlie
+" My dear Lottie, this is my oil friend,
Richmond Walters My wife Rich. "
advanced. The lady srose. She
was stout and blonde. ! saw her face.
She saw mine For one moment we stood
perfectly silent; then she put out her
hand and took it Neither OF us said
a word, but IL my face flushed as rsdly rs
hers did--and l think it did--it is no
wonder that Charles Pell stared at us.
"What would she do p asked myself
/" Women are quicker than men. !" She
did nothing she merely sa*e ne an icy
bow and turned away her head, and !,
dropping her hand, retired TO the other
window, while Charles stood between us
looking suspiciously at me, aud growing
very pale.
"You have met Mrs Pell before, per-
haps?" he inquired at last, trying to
speak very eayly.
"I-l-I," stammered.
"Once, a long while ago." said Mrs.
Pell. II don't think the gentleman re-
members me. +"
And then she famed herself in silence.
1t was very uncomfortable. Ihave al
ways had tell-tale face, and could see
that Charlie read q great deal in il. lie
knew that knew his wife much better
than her words admitted. In vain he
stroya IN tolL a G In tYarant anbiacts aud
to do the honors of the suppcrtable. 1t
was very dull evening, and l pleaded
headache aud retired early. Before !
slept waiter brought me 3 little note.
1t ran thus:
keep the secret Go away to NOR
row. you have the least love for me,
GO"
1t was not signed, but knew that
Charlie Pell's wife had written it.
Co. Of course would go, and the
sooner the better.
slept'little that night AT daybre 'k
arose, and scribbled brief farewell to
Charlie. A telegram from my employer
| stated, called me away Best wishes,
compliments to Mrs Pell, etc had just
addressed and sealed it when some one
raped furiously at my door, and open
ing it, found Charlie, who strobe in and
locked it after him.
1--WE have been friends for many years,
Richmond, he began, " and | have had
great confidence in you. Perhaps you
can restore it. Perhaps you can explain
the meaning OF your embarrassment vt
the sight OF my wife.
~ raMlly ~ hogan
"No prevarication, said he. You
know each other She sent you a note
lust night. l demand sight Of it"
"What does she say ?" asked.
"Shc has not been asked to say any
thing, said Pcll "I leave her to her
own conscience. Let INC see the note ?"
Really" ] began again. II assure
you"
"You are acquainted with Mrs Pell ?"
said Charlie.
~ have been. Yes"
"You know something about her that
do not. "
"ltis nothing TO her discredit, I" said
]. +" Believe me, you had better let the
matter rest. A merev-a coincidence.
"The note related to it?' said Pell,
black in the face with rage.
"Well, in q measure. F"
"Show it to me, roared Charlie.
81 can't, said |. ASK Mrs. Pell to
explain ! must not show lady's letter
to any one.
Her husband demands it," said
Charlie.
"Charlie. said l, "what q fool you
are Therer'
And cast the little note his wife had
written toward him.
He seized 1t, pciused it teagcrly, repeat
ed the words:
"If you have the least love for me,
go.
And no instantly clutchcd me by the
throat.
went down. lie sat upon my chest
and choked me.
couldn't help it then. | had tried to
keep Mrs Pcll's secret, but self.preserva-
ton is law of nature. wrenched my
cravat from his hands. and graspcd his
wrists firmly.
Let me speak, | said
~ give you moment for confession
said he. "Speak before you die. "
81 know Mrs. Pell very WE'LL, said ],
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 con-
fess all before you choke me She's my
grandmother. She was Mrs. Charlotte
Richmond before you married her, wasn't
sheY was named after her "
Poor Charlie Pell stopped trying to
choke me AMI got up at once.
"Your grandmother p he repeated.
"Why, she's only twcnty.cight."
people become grandmothers very
early sometimes" said |. ~ don't
know her age.
Then Charlie let me get up, and went
and sat with his face on his hands near
the window before he left me.
An hour after received another note
from my grandmother
DEAR Rich. Don't go unless you
choose. I've explained matters to Mr..
Pcll Yours, Z. PELL.
found out afterwsrd that my grand
mother had told dreadful hb about my
being an adopted child; but it really did
not matter what poor Charlie Pell
thought about that, so / never contra
dcted the statement. And really now
that golden hair. dye has come in, and