New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-12-22
RALPH'S REVELATION.
A Christmas story.

- very solemn, gloomy lodging house.
$50 do I, I can assure you," re-
ssponded the pretty young woman's
husband, tall, stalwart fellow, who
was reclining lazily in an arm chair,
~.nyou think that I enjoy Christmas
day at the governors knowing that
you are here alone with the boy, you
are mistaken. get as glum and
gloomy as possible; in fact, they are
always teasing me now, and declaring
that I'm in love, because I'm so quiet.
I am quite well aware, however, that
I've got the pleasantest part OF the
burden to bear; you must have very
dull time of it, poor little woman"
81 don't. like it, confess the wife
replied, ''for many reasons. Ofcourse
Ishould always like to have you with
me, to begin with; then, do not like
to remember how we are deceiving
your father, who seems so kind and
indulsent to you, Ralph, that 1 dare
say he might not be as angry as you
imagine. It's very uncomfortable for
me, too, as regards appearances, as
the landlady has made several re-
marks, and looked outraged and
scandalized when told her that was
going to dine at home tomorrow, and
that you were not. She muttered
something derogatory to husbands OF
the present day. It does look odd
nov, doesn't it, for tomorrow will
make the third Christmas day I've
dined at home alone. However, now
that I've got Eddie to keep me COM
pany, it's more cheerful"
The husband made no reply imme-
diately- He was thinking, as he glanced
at his pretty wife, and remembered
how cheerful and accomplishing she
was, how willing to sacrifice herself
Cor him, how devoted and attentive
to hina still, even after three years OF
rmatrimony, that few men would be
content to endure such life for the
sake Of q woman's love. It was all
very we'll tor him. He went down to
his fathers bank day by day and
BOUNCED through certain small
amount Of work; he went to his club,
and had q cigar and some scandal, and
then, il not engaged to dine out, re-
turned in the evening to his wife and
Sittle child.
None OF his friends knew that he
was married. They laughed and joked
frequently about him, and had long
since given up attempting to see him
as his own place. AS for his father
and mother, they knew where he lived
that is they knew of his chambers in
'bown, one room in Bond street-but
they knew nothing of the quiet lodging
where their daughter-in-law was hid
ing herself and boy, at their sons bid
ding.
Ralph Yorke unused over these points
one by one, thinking tenderly OF his
Atlittle woman" who had already borne
SO much for his sake. and who would
doe left helpless should he die suddenly
with his secret untold, and at last a.
sudden resolution arose in his mind,
Eva darling he cried, starting to
his feet, ON tell the governor"
She gasped for breath in her utter
surprise, ana ne continued:
S'You see it's no use going on like this
year after year. He will only be all
the more angry when he knows it. And
L think | would rather he did cut me
off with a shilling than that | should
live on in this style. Isuppose should
always get some friend or another to
help me, and l dare say I coulo. make
enough money to rub along somehow.
You are not extravaganza I am sure
1:Bnt, Ralph DEAR" pleaded his wife,
S'don't do it tomorrow. Think how
it will grieve your father, and let him
have one more Christmas day in
peace and happiness. Don't have a.
quarrel and bitter words with him to-
morrow. Wait week or SO longer,
and aecustom yourself to the thought
Of bearing his displeasure. Don't be
rash about it.''
II don't think it can be said that
have been rash about it," laughed
Ralph, "slnce I have taken three
years to think it over. No, Eva, l
won't be rash; but I'll see the gov
,ernor tomorrow morning, while my
mothers at.church, and we'll spend
an honest Christmas day, at all
events"
So it happened that the next morn
ing, just as Mr.. Yorke, senior, had in
stalled himself comfortably in his
arm chair to have, perhaps, forty
winks while his wife was away, as he
'ggaaea into the fire he heard his sons
knock at the door, and in a moment
Ralph Yorke entered the room.
4.You're early my boy" said the
old gentleman; and Ralph answered,
plunging into the matter at once:
81 came early, father, because I
1have something to tell you
:Eh, what?' cried Mr. Yorke, look.
ing keenly at his son; t'out OF money
are your"
ooh, no, that's not it, murmured
Ralph.
<"Then you must be in love-" said
s&ehe astute old gentleman.
"Well, no." Ralph answered, raising
his head and looking his father full in
the face; Its not exactly that either.
The fact is, father, am married"
"'Well, what of it?'' was Mr.. Yorke's
only comment.