Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-08-12
A Speaking Tube.
BY j. w. WATSON.

'Ah yes, my boy, there's many a
thing we do when young and hot
headed that We regret and are
ashamed of when we grow older,
though | cannot say that | have
done much that | would recall,
placed under the same circum-
stances"
81 now allow myself, Sim, to look
into the conduct or motives of my
friends, and yet there are things
occurring every day about me that
l cannot help wondering at and try
ing to analyZe without success, and
you come under that heading, as
well as others !"
"For instance 2" said Sim.
"For instance, Sim, taking the
privilege of a lifelong friend, I've
always wanted to know how it was
that you and your mutual friend, or
rather once so, Pierre ClereZ, so sud-
denly ceased your intimacy and
friendship, ten years ago, you pas
sively, but your wife actively she
even going so far as to declare him
the most despicable of men and the
vilest of friends"
"Well, perhaps she may be right"
and Mr.. Simeon Ottiwell smiled
broadly, but with an air of uncon-
Germ.
THAT may be true, Sim, but |
have failed to find it out after fifteen
years of the most intimate associa-
ton with him. AS you know, we
went to school together in France;
we travelled together for two years; |
spent long time as the guest of his
father in Paris and lastly when he
came to this country to represent his
fathers house in New York, we
came together, and have been to-
gether every day since. | have
always found him the soul of mer-
camille and social honor, and as |
introduced him to you, why, natur-
ally, / have always felt myself re-
sponslble for whatever may have
occurred between you"
gVery well, George, on that
ground l will tell you the story on
the understanding that it goes no
further and is not to be alluded to
again in the future. DO you prom
Use ?"
II promise"
This conversation passed between
Mr.. Simeon Ottiwell, a middle-aged
man, well-kept and placid, and hi:
friend, considerably younger, George
Barrett-the first a merchant in
high standing, the other rich and
prosperous lawyer. They were seat
ed in the library, or snuggery, as
Ottiwell called it, Of his fine house
I'M Madison Square, in SUMPTION!
ease, smoking, and slipping then
claret.
tOf course you will remember, my
nov. that when you first came bach
from Europe, now almost dozer
waas ago, | had just married wife
nearly twenty years younger thar
myself, and exceedingly beautiful
atleast people said so, and / believed
hand moreover, that | should have
been more than human if | had no
BEEN somewhat jealous, though | be
lieyel | was quietly So"
mot so quiet but that | saw 1t
Sim I said Barrett, laughing.
VERY well; it was not because
thought / had reason, but simply
That / knew my marriage was not
one Of love on my wife's side, but
one brought about by her father an(
mine. to crafty the old people befor
they left the world. | knew that i
here was any love to be won from
her Il must be after our marriage
mt | also knew that, as a founda
ion for that winning, Clara hat
hepn too much absorbed in attend
no to an invalid father, whom sh
d0ned, to think Of being in low
with anybody else, and so, with
elear 6eld in my favor, | started OF
.,.oo,, ~ p,1qtrirnOpv ap6 A9t