The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-11-02
THAT LOVE LETTER.

1t is oest, on the whole, not to read
your husbands letters until he hands
them to you, and it is much the best not
to examine his pockets, except for holes,
then set aside whatever you find there
without examination.
believe little Mrs. Elliott would give
any young wife that advice today; but
there was a time-we are all fallible,
being mortal-when she had been mar
ried about two years. that she made
herself an amateur detective, as far as
her Frank went, and had found holes
that she could not explain-one that
had something in az about Clara partic-
ularly. 1t was only half letter, but it
was suspicious.
Naturally jealous, she was too proud
to betray the fact Intentionally; but there
is no keeping secret of that sort from
the servants. They knew it; other peo-
pie guessed at it.
Her fancies about Clara-oh, who was
Claras--made her heart ache; but rum
maging and prying did not help her.
When her husband was away--as he
often was--she suffered tortures. He
might, for all she knew, be leading a
double life, and so she steamed all his
letters open before she forwarded them,
and now and then found something that
might mean more than it said, and SO
we come to an afternoon when she-Mrs.
Elliot-came down stairs dressed for
dinner, for which she always made q
careful toilet, and met the waitress as
cending to the upper floor. The girls
place at that moment was in the dining
room, and Mrs. Elliot knew that moth
ing was needed or forgotten that per-
tanned to the dinner; moreover, the girl
had an air Of secrecy about her, and
seemed to be hiding something under
her apron.
Whats that you have there, Rosa?''
Mrs. Elliot asked, little sharply.
The girl stopped looked down, and
answered.:
''Only letter, maam."
"For yourselfP' asked Mrs. Elliot.
mo, ma'am, for MASTER" said the girl.
"Well, give it to me-" said Mrs. Elliot.
The girl hesitated.
Indeed ma'am, the lady said to give
it to himself" said Rosa.
"a ladya A beggar with petition, ]
suppose, said Mrs. Elliot.
"A lady, MAIN, and she's gone" said
the girl. "6he wore blue veil; but
never saw her Before, I'm sure"
"Oh, very well, replied her mistress
"Give me the note. Mr.. Elliot is shaw
ing, and would not wish to be disturbed.
The girl gave little impertinent toss
to her head as she obeyed, and fiounced
down stairs in way that made her mis-
tress resolve to give her warning.
The trouble was that the lady in tht
blue veil had given Rosa some money
had whispered, "Mr. Elliot, and no on,
else," and had hurried away in sus
| picious manner.
| Mrs. Elliot meanwhile stood turning
the envelope over. The address wal
merely her husbands name-Mr. Franl
Elliot-and the edge of the flap was still
damp, as If sealed at the door. 1t woulC
open at a touch-she could read it ant
know its contents if she chose.
81 do choose" she said the next mo
ment, and the edge Of the envelope rolled
back and slip of paper fell out. On
were written these words:
DEAR FRANK-Meet me at the usua
place il you can dodge your wife.
CLARA.
A moment more and the letter was re
sealed, and Mrs. Elliot, trembling with
anger, stood leaning against the window
frame. She felt that the dread that hat
been upon her had taken shape ut last
However, she would not be hasty
She would wait until she was sure tina
he desired to receive the letter. II Ii
did not obey the summons it woul,
prove to her that he was true to her
Then she would tell him what she knew
and ask his confidence.
She carried the letter down stairs witt
her, and placed it at his plate. and as h
opened 1t she watched him closely.
1t certainly did not seem to please him
He frowned, changed color and thrust
into his pocket; but he went ON with hi
dinner without any remark.
Mrs. Elliot, however, could not re
main silent.
"You look as though you had receive
plumbers BILL" she said.
He laughed.
"It is not bill, he said, "it is note
and it vexes me because shall have I
change my plans for tonight. Intend
! ed to take you to the theatre, now car
not do it. l shall have to leave yoJ
and, what is more, shall not be bac
until tomorrow night. I'll send me-
senger to Uncle James. He win escoi
: you to the theatre, and
s 81 will not go with your uncle James,
said Mrs. Elliot. sharply. "You muI
d take mel will not he used in this wa
d you must go with me-"
r my dear, cannot tell you how
vexes me TO have to leave YOU" said M
b Elliot.
+ Prank" she answered, 81 have a
ways said that there are some thing
which wife should not endure"
"Lizzie, my dear, listen: win tai
!, you TO the theatre tomorrow nigl
, or the night after; we will enjoy on
n selves quite as well. think it viii raj
5. tonight anyhow"
: "Do you suppose am baby 10 IA.
, about not seeing playY" said Mrs. Z
: hot. "No, Frank, only you must tell m
e why you break the engagement an
l. where you are going"
n Business, my dear, business" sal
's Mr.. Elliot, in an artificial manner. ''I'
explain some day. Business is busines
e now be quiet and comfortable like goc
y girl-good night"
He tried TO kiss her but she pushe
!. him away. Then he took his hat an
overcoat and left the house, with a lit
laugh not like his own.
e Hardly had he passed the thresho
when his wife sprung 10 her feet. slinns