The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-04-02
MARoERY's SECRET.


coy little house in Newburg, which he
called his birds nest. II, with ten good
acres attached, had been in the Fleet
family for three generations. The one
son had always followed the occupation
of the sire, as though they were born to
the business. Harry had a pride in his
work, and to those friends who had
larger ambition for hin he was wont to
say, 81 was born blacksmith; like it,
and will remain one"
In his birds nest nestled his wife Mar
gerry and his little son. They were the
Joy and light of his work-day-life.
For number of years Harry had been
a very happy man, but cloud had
gathered in the sky, and 1t last it moved
along just over his cottage, and there it
obstinately stood. He had stood as bail
for an old friend who was in danger Of
losing his liberty in consideration OF GER
tain liabilities. The friend had lurched
him.
Margery knew something had gone
wrong. He tried 20 keep the whole
trouble to himself, Tut the shrewd little
woman managed to ascertain his secret
trouble.
"You see, Margery, don't mind
| can work for you and the boy we'll
enough, but the homestead, there is no
help for it; that must 60; and it has
been in the Fleet family ever since it was
a wilderness.
Harry told her the responsibility
Said he, "Old Squire Mitchell las paid
it, 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 pre-
pared to pay it them"
Harry went to work, and Margery to
ruminating. She had always been able
to adapt means to ends, and supply the
means, too, il necessary; for a wise lit
tie thinking cap she was in possession Of.
But this time she was sorely puzzled
She spent the afternoon in cndeavoring
to plan a 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. She pu; his supper on the table
without a word, and instead of sitting
down with him as usual, said: "Do you
mind looking after the baby awhile? /
want to run out." !"
A neighbor came in soon after and in.
quired for Mrs. Fleet.
"Shc has gone OUT" he replied.
"lt must have been her 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
a suitor Of Margery's. A little waver-
ing at first in his attentions, for he was
shrewd young fellow, acute in his pro-
fession, and in personal matters looking
always to the main chance, and Margery
had no fortune but her face; though
there was rumor about the time Of her
marriage that an uncle in distant part
Of the country had left her property,
more or less, and her relatives there had
made it to appear that she died in child
hood, and had taken possession Of it
themselves. But Knowles had lost his
heart to her so effectually, before this
report, tha, he had proposed, and had
been unhesitatingly rejected, greatly to
the astonishment Of himself and Harry
Fleet.
Margery was an orphan, and had been
reared by Harry's kind parent, and from
continued association with him had
learned to read his big heart so well that
she knew who reigned queen in il long
before he had courage to tell her. He
really never could see why she had pre-
ferred plain man like himself to one
whom he considered so finished in world
ly graces as young Knowles. So Harry
did not like what transpired, and though
too sensible man to get jealous at
trihe, he was not little perplexed when
his wife made no mention Of her bust
ness out on returning. As the weeks
went by he came to know of her calling
there at other times, and once, on COM
ing home earlier 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 a few weeks before,
now had the power to torture him.
He was grieved to see that his wife's
manner toward him was changed. II
was not trouble; she never spoke Of their
approaching loss, and he often found
her singing, merry as lark, but there
was no longer rperfect confidence between
them. There was something she was
keeping hid, he thought. And Margery
did have a secret, and kept 1.-THE old
adage to the contrary Notwithstanding.
Finally the day arrived on which the
date Of the mortgage expired. Harry's
face had set look. Always in the way,
he thought, when around the house,
watching Margery while deity clearing
up things. Everything she touched
yielded like magic. This morning she
was unusually skillful, and not trace Of
regret was there in that sparkling face Of
hers.
Harry was wofully cast down. His
rlo,,sied face seer,,ed a reDroach to her