Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-07-02

with it.
"Come in, Richmond" said Charlie
4" My dear Lottie, this is my old friend,
Richmond Walters. My wife, Rich"
| advanced The lady arose. 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 II. Neither of us said word
but if my face flushed as redly as hers did
and think il did---it is no wonder that
Charles Pcll stared at us.
"What will she do?" asked myself.
"Women are quicker than men" She
did nothing; she merely gave me an icy
hand and turned away her head, and /,
dropping her hand, retired so the other
window, while Charles stood between us,
looking suspiciously at me, and growing
very pale.
@You have met Mrs. PeIl before, per
haps?" he inquired at last, tryingto speak
very gayly.
|I-I-I-," l stammered.
"Once, long while ago. said Mrs.
Pcll. II don't think the gentleman re-
members me-"
And then she famed herself in silence.
1t was very uncomfortable. have al
ways had tell-tale face, and | could see
that Charlie read a great deal in it. He
knew that l knew his wife much better
than her words admitted. In vain he
strove to talk of indifferent subjects and
to do the honors of the supper-table. 1t
was very dull evening and | pleaded
headache and retired carly. Before |
slept waiter brought me little note. 1t
ran thus:
''Keep the secret. Go away tomorrow.
If you have the least love for me, go"
II was not signed, but | knew that
Charlie Pell's wife had written it,
Go; of course 1 would go, and the
sooner the better.
slept little that night At daybreak
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 opening
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 explain the meaning of your embar-
rassment at the sight of my wife"
" | really" | began.
No prevarication, said he. You
/ know each other. She sent you note
last night. l demand sight of it."
| "What does she say" l asked.
"She has not been asked to say any
thing" said Pell. Il leave her to her
own conscience. Let me see the MOTEL"
Really" l began again. " l assure
you"
said Charlie.
have been. Yes"
"You know something about her that
do not"
"It is nothing to her discredit," said |.
! q Believe me, YOU had better let the
matter rest A mcrc-a coincidence"
/ "Thc note related to it?" said Pell
black in the face with rage.
"Well, in a measure"
"Show it to me, :" roared Charlie.
II can't" said l. "Ask Mrs. Pell tC
explain. must not show lady's lettel
to anyone"
"Her husband demands it," said Char
| lie.
=" Charlie" said I, "what a fool you are
Theren'
And I cast the little note his wife haC
written toward him.
He seized it, perused it eagerly, repeat
ing the words;
"If you have the least love for me, Co.
And he Instantly clutched me by thu
throat.
went down. He sat upon my ches
and choked me.
could not help it then. had tried t
keep Mrs. Pelrs secret, but self-preserva
tion is law of nature. | wrenched my
cravat from his hands, and grasped hi
wrists firmly:
Z" Let me speak, - | said.
- give you a moment for confession,
said he. "Speak before you die
Il know Mrs. Pell very well, " said |
"better than do you. We have beel
very fond of each other She kissed MI
when we parted last and called me he
dear Rich-stop a minute, let me confess
all before you choke me. She's my grand
mother. She was Mrs. Charlotte Rich
mond before you married her, WASH
she? / was named after her."
Poor Charlie Pell stopped trying t.
choke me, and got up at once.
Your grandmotheE~ he repeated
"Why, she's only twenty eight.
People become grandmothers yer
early sometimes" !" said |. Il don't know
her age
. Then Charlie let me get up and wen
and sat with his face on his hands nea
the window before he left me.
An hour after | received another not
from my grandmother.
DEAR RICH: Don't go unless you choost
Pve explained matters to Mr.. Pell. Yours
1 G. PELL.
I found out afterward that my grand
: mother had told dreadful fib about m
being an adopted child; but it really di
not matter what poor Charlie Pell thougl
: about that, so | never cOntradicted tn
t statement. And really now that golde
e hair-dye has come in my grandmother ha
c grown so Juvenile in appearance that
= think she begins to believe that she is nc
D out other teens herself.