Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-19

Forgive me, my dearest friend, for
the subterfuge to which am compelled
to have recourse; for the trust and re-
sponsibility with which, without even
daring previously to ask permission,
am about to burden you. Sooner or
later you must know the sad secret Of
my life; my husband is a confirmed and
desperate gambler. This fatal passion
has gradually made our whole life one
miserable acted lie. 1t was necessary
to keep mp appearances IN order to avoid
suspicion and retain his business credit
The more deeply we sank in debt, the
more wildly he sought to retrieve his
fortunes at the gaming-table. Heaven
only knows how soon and desperately
this may end. My own little fortune,
which by the culpable carelessness Of
my guardian was left in his power, has
been dissipated. The only thing left
for me and my poor daughter when the
| crash comes, as come il must, is the
handsome parure of diamonds inherit
ed from my mother. These arc indeed,
by every right, my own, but already my
infatuated husband has his eve on them,
and dread lest any moment they may
be gambled away. For my child's sake
/ entrcat you, help me to save them.
They may some day realize a sum which
TO her will be invaluable Deep down
IN the mold OF the flowcr.pots you will
find them buried. There, for the pres
cnt, let them remain; keep them till
day comes when or my daughter may
reclaim them. Do not betray my secret
even to your husbynd. trust entirely
to your goodness and your loyalty
Your unhappy friend,
"MAEAN WoDEHousr."
so" exclaimed Arnold, putting his
arm round his wife, " this is the terri
BILE secret, little woman, which has been
wearing your life away. / do not feel
Obliged to Mrs Wodchouse for not lot.
ting you coufidc in me-"
ooh, Arnold dear, poor Mn. Wodc-
house. she is dead"
He shrugged his shoulder and fol-
lowed Winnie downstairs into the con
scryatory, where they found Blanche. a
rather sad.looking, fearful beauty Of
seventeen, whom Winnic's brother.
Captain Nerschoylc, was not altogether
quite uusuccessiully seeking 10 console
rs they stood together taking the plants
out Of the flower pots and shaking the
diamonds from their roots.
Arnold looked at Winnie and smiled
as be saw the picture: perhaps he had
vision Of a matrimonial pendant A
few minutes later they all four went
down TO brcakfas; together. Blanchc's
dot lying before them in lus;rous
beauty ON the white cloth.
Mr.. Morcton being busy man, Cap.
tain Vcrschoylc undertook the sale of
tho diamonds; but though be was
always on the point Of clinching a good
offer somehow or other be never quite
achieved it, and already Blanche Wode.
house had been nearly a month under
the Moreton's hospitablc roof when she
rushed into Winnic's conservatory one
morning now, since the finding Of the
diamonds become once more the young
wifc's plaything and threw herself into
her arms.
Oh Winifrcd. he has asked me to
marry him, and saws / am no, to sell
the diamonds after all a. he has quite
enough money for us both"
Ny dear Blanche, / am 80 very
glad lou will make the sweetest.
dearest little sistcr-in law. Only fancy
a marriage arising ont Of my building a
conservatory. and then having, "a DR..
Jones says, diamonds on the brain, go"