Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-04-03
-cT AuNToN sPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERT
A Profound Secret.

From the Chicago Tribune.
.sI had not in Intended to tell you,
Billiger." said the young wife OF Mr.. NC
Swat. "but can't keep it secret any
longer" 1u
rs it possible, Lobelia." exclaimed Bill
liger. iucredulousy, "that you have oeeh
able to keep a secret at ali?' :.
SIT is. Aud you would never guess IT,
either"
"Been making me dress-gown or an
embroidered night csp?'
s'No." 80,
"You haven't been running up bill at
Spoicash g. Co. 's?" he inquired, with a sus-
picious look and cold feeling in the region
of his spine.
"Guess again.
eBeen taking lessons at cooklDg
sohool?'' he asked, palipg visibly. -
"a clammy perspiratlon broke OUT al ~
over him aud be leaned against the man Ell
for support as he gaspedt
"Lobela, IS Aunt Jubilee coming 10
spend the summer with u.s."
The young wife laughed gleetnliy.
srNou shs answered. you'll have TO
try again, Billiger." o.,
ssTe!l ZEE ghat it is" he said, with re-,
turning selGcommauG. - feel as if couid
stand any disclosure now"
s.I think you're real mean, Billlger, pu'
T wiH tell you. A little poem OF mine Is
going to be published in the next Century
Magszne,"
'Whew;"
This is The time honored way in which a
long. low whistle of astonishloent has al
WAYS been represented in print by the fnnef
successful wrestlers with the language,
from the old masters down to H. RIDER
Haepnrd. The reader. therefore, will kind
" understand that Mr.. Billiger McSwat
gave utterance to long, low whistle :.
SIN the days of our cnurtship, Lobnlia,"
be continued, staring hard at the celiipg,
ssyou never told me you wrote poetry. l
diGu't know you were addicted to 1t, OF
S
.'Or wha,,qe'' she dsm2nded, with some
asperity.
..Nothing-nothipg." be exclaimed, has
tily. stAnd so you are to have contri'
bntiou in the next Century! How much is
the editor to pay you for it, Lobelia?'
II don't know. / haven't heard from
him vet"
Then, how do You know lie is going to
print it?''
Hos do know? Because he hasn't
returned it. l sent it TO him nearly two
weeks ago."
COB! You did! You inclosed stamps for
return postage, of course?'
"Why. No, Pilliger. never thought OF
that. Il it customary"
"Er-po! That is, not always" replied
the young husband, mastering his emotion
by a desperate effort. SIT probably wasn't
necessary in the case Of your poem, Lob-
leila. And yon have saved at least TWO
ceutsi"
Mira. McSwat WAS not exactly sure whetn-
er he was in earnest Or aos. She looked at
him with some suspicion, but his connten
auce wore that look of unearthly gravity
and innocence that may sometimes be seen
On the Faoa of bny at school, just after re
had rolled double handful Of bird shot
over the is)ar.
"Inbeiia," he said after q pause, ''you
haven't spoken If this-tbis POEM of yonis
that is-er ah-going so be- printed next
month, TO anybody else besides me, have
you?"
"No"
"Then don't do it, Lobelia." he said III
YOU can manage to bold in till the poem is
printed, which''-a1d Riiiiger held his
handkerchief to his face sud eoughed c'n-
yulsively liz il FIR u few momenis-"which
will be only two weeks longer. you knpw, it
will be all he greater surprise TO every
body. Aud wher that poem is printed in
the magazine, my dear, I'll make you a
present OF pair of diauiord earrings"
The trusting young wife pillo@ed her
head on his bnsom in AZ ecstacy of graft
tude, and as Ruliger McSg smoothed her
golden hair and nlnrmnred in her gar soft
assurances Of his willtn gness to bankrupt
himself, If necessary, in order to give her
costly presents as token of his pride and
admiration-ss soon as the poem appeared
he could feel himself growing meaner-
and smaller, and more despicable every mo
men5.
/ Oh, young wioesi Ba warned in time
When temp a.ioas 80 write poetry for the
magszines assaii your soul, do not yield.
Resist hem. 1t is terrible thing to dc
anything that camses Young husbands sc
feel themselves gro Ring smaller than they
ara alreadyl - Extract from "FTighfa'
Waraiaqa u tlistorg," from tie French q
Dennis Mut nhy.