The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-06-03
MARGERY'S SECRET.

4 MARGERY'S SECRET.
II
, Henry Fleet, the blacksmith, had
cosy little house in Newburg, whicl
he called his birds nest. 1t, with ter
good acres attached, had been in tn,
Fleet family. for three generations
4 The one SON had always followed tn,
occupation of the sire, as though they
A were born to the business. Henry had
a pride In his work. aud to those
4 friends who had larger ambition fol
him, he was won't to say, 81 was born
q blacksmith 1 like it, and will re.
main one."
In his birds nest nestled his wife
Margery and his little son. They were
the joy and light Of his work a.day
life.
For number of years Harry had
been very happy man, but cloud
had gathered in the sky, and at last it
moved along just oyer his cottage,and
there 1t obstinately stood. He had
stood as bail for an old friend who
was in danger of losing his liberty in
consideration of certain liabilities.
The friend had lurched him.
| Il Margery knew something had gone
wrong. He tried to keep the whole
trouble TO himself, but the shrewd lit
tie woman managed to ascertain his
eacrat tvsou bDa
W g. You see, Margery, don't mind,
can work foryou and the boy well
enough, but the homestead, there is no
help for IL; that must 60, aud it has
been In the Fleet family ever since it
was wilderness"
+ Harry told her the responsibility.
Said he: "Oid Squire Mitchell has
paid il, and have mortgaged the place.
He has given me several months in
which to redeem it, but he might as
we'll take it now, Margery, shall be
no better prepared to pay it them
Harry went to work, and MAJ gerry
to Illuminating. She had always been
able to adapt means to ends, and sup
ply the meane, too, if necessary; for a
wise little thinking cap she was in
possession of. But this TIME she was
'sorely puzzled. She spent the after
noon in endeavoring to plan method
of relief, but it crept away, and she
felt tired and defeated.
1t was supper time She heard her
husbands foot strike the graveled
walk at the same time she was struck
with an idea. I She put his supper on
the table without word, and instead
of sitting down with him as usual,
said: do you mind looking after
the baby awhiIe2 want to run out"
= A neighbor came in soon after and
inquired for Mrs. Fleet. @
@She has gone out" he replied.
1t must of been her 1 saw going
into Lawyer Knowles Office moment
ago." said the neighbor,
Harry did not reply, but he did not
like it. Young Knowles had once
been suitor of Margery's. A little
wavering, at first, in his attentions,
for he was a shrewd young fellow,
acute in his profession, and in person
al matters looking always to the main
chance, and Margery had no fortune
but her face; though there was ru.
NOR about the time of her marriage
that an uncle in distant part of the
country ad:left her property, more
or less, and relatives there had made
it to appear that she died in childhood,
and had taken possession of it them
selves. But Knowles had lost his
heart to her 40 effectually, before this
report, that he had proposed, and had
been unhesitatiDgly rejected, greatly
TO the astonishment of himself and
Harry Fleet. -ifo3 L=da-al-.-
Margery was an orphan, and had
been reared by Harry's kind parents,
and from continued association with
him had learned to read his big heart
80 well that she knew who reigned
queen in 1t long before he had cour-
age to tell her. He, really, never
could see why she had preferred a
plain man like himself to one whom
he considered 80 finished in worldly
graces as young Knowles. So Harry
did not like what transpired, and
though too sensible man to get jeal-
Gus at trifle, he was not little per-
picked when his wife made NO men,
tion of her business out, on returning.
AS the weeks went by he came TO
know OF her calling there at other
times, and once, son coming home ear
lieri than usual, he met Knowles at
his gate coming out. AT heart he had
perfect faith in his wife, but fortune
had begun to rack him on her wheel.
and a matter that he would have
thought little of few weeks before,
now had the power to torture him.
& He was gfieved to sac that his wife's
manner toward him was changed. 1t
was not trouble; she never spoke of
their approaching loss, and he often
found her singing, merry as lark, but
there was no longer perfect confidence
between them. There was something