The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-07-03

DOX. In one OF the aforesaid drawers
she found a photograph of her Charlie,
one Of set which she remembered lie
had taken when their billing and cooling
was In full swing, upon which was
written in his handwriting: Prom
your ever true and affectionate Char
Iie."
But for this writing she would have
regarded this discovery as being merely
an extraordinary coincidence, but the
inscription was a damning fact and
when she put two and two together, and
recalled his ardent profession of fidelity
to and affection for her at the time the
photograph was taken, at one fen
swoop she shattered the pleasant belief
into which she had lulled herself as to
her husbands immaculate behavior be-
fore his marriage to her. There was
not an extenuating circumstance con-
ceiyable. The photograph had certain
ly not been given to a man, or such an
inscription would not have graced it;
but had without doubt been given to
some woman, who, finding herself de-
ceived, had thrown it away in disgust.
So she waited the arrival of the un-
conscious Charlie with that stern Joy
which woman, as well as warriors,
sometimes feel; determined. no matter
at what cost, to find out to whom he
had been lever true and affectionate"
at a time when he was continually
swearing that she was his only idol on
earth. Her heart beat quick when a
well-known step and careless whistle
down stairs proclaimed the approach of
the victim. and she made no answer to
his "Lucy Lucy Where are you?Here's
Highland welcome for fellow who
has been tramping about since breakfast
time. and who is tired, wet and hungry
Hullor
This last ejaculation was the result of
his first glimpse of his wife's face. He
saw at once that something had hap
pened during his absence and therefore
composed his features to a suitable
gravity.
"Whv, what's the matter, Lucy" he
continued. you look as if"
Mrs. Cornwall cut him short with
magisterial severity.
"Charles Cornwall" she said, hold
ing up the photograph, "explain this if
you please"
The unfortunate man gazed at his
own counterfeit presentment and the
color fed from his cheeks.
"Explain what? Explain this photo?''
lie stammered. "Why, my angel, i
wonder you're not ashamed to keep
such a hideous work of art. 1t was
done whilst we were swcethearting, be-
fore grew my beard. There's a coat
There's head of hair! Ha! hal never
did come out well--neverr
"Charles Cornwall" continued his
wife, still keeping her relentless gaze
fixed on the unhappy mans guilty face,
81 found this photograph in drawer
up stairs. Now, how did it get there?''
my dear, good soul, how on earth
am l to know?" replied Charlie. 81
gave 1t to some fellow, l suppose, and
he"
"No, Charles" said his wife, "not tC
some fellow. When one man gives his
carte to another, he does not as a rule,
describe himself as ever true and affcc,
ti0nate.' Women may be fools, Charles,
but your wife is no fool. There's a
mystery here which l must and will
have cleared up. o, Charles, Charles
How often you have sworn to me that
was your first and only lover'
$50 YOU were," said Charlie; "and
you can't prove anything to the con-
trary."
mo, but this photograph could,'
answered Mrs. Cornwall. "You'vt
given it to some woman and l shall
make it my business to find out who she
was"
The wretched man groaned inwardly
and racked his brain to recall any inju
dicious little present of this kind he
might have made during that period Of
festive enthusiasm which usually marks
the close of bachelor life. 1t could no
have been Stella, of the JOcosa Theater
or that pretty girl in the pink dress hC
met at Henley, or -. No; he wa
positively sure that even if he had dis
tributed little mementOes of this nature
amongst his fail friends he would no
have been such a fool as to write OF
them so criminating a sentence as thai
by which he was now confronted.
Mrs. Cornwall, of course observed hi
embarrassment and naturally construed
it as admissive of guilt.
"Charles." she said, there will no
be another day of happiness between u
until the mystery of this photograph il
solved and until know who has beer
staggering and slobbering over it,"
MY dear, don't be silly" said he
husband. "If l I III you that haven
the faintest recollection of having giveI
my photo to anybody, male or female
except yourself and our friends, il ough
to be enough. You've no right to doub
my honor and fidelity on account of
trumpery discovery like this and If IN,
assurance cannot satisfy you must re
main unsatisfled. sunwarranted, it
cruel and it's absurd"
OF course, Mrs. Cornwall fell to sob
bing at this unexpected display Of spiri
and whined out something from Byrol
to the effect that love was a thing apar
from mans life, but that il was woman
whole existence. In which frame O
mind the cOld-boOded Charlie left her
glad at the success so far of the attitud
Ia. l,A A. l. L.,