Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-31
A Profound secret,
Now YORK Tribuno.l

81 had not intended to tell you, Bill
liger," said the young wife OF Mr.. Nc
Swat, "but can't keep it secret any
longer"
ais it possible, Lobelis? exclaimed
Billiger, incredulously, "that you have
been able to keep a secret at all?"
alt is. And you would never guess
il, either"
"Been making me dressgown or
an embroidered night-cap !"
"No."
"You haven't been running mp a bill
at Spotcssh q Co. So" he inquired, with
q Suspicious look and a cold feeling in
the region OF his spine.
"Guess again.
"Been taking lessons at a cooking
school ?" ne asked, paling visibly.
"No. Guess again"
A cIammy Precipitation broke out all
over him, and he leaned against the man
tel as he gssped:
"Lobelia, is Aunt Jubilee coming to
spend the summer with us?
The young wife laughed gleefully.
mo" she answered. "You'll have
to try again, Billiger.
"Tell me what it is" he said, with re-
turning self-command. =" feel as il /
could stand any disclosure now.
81 think you're real mean, Billiger,
but l will tell you. A little poem Of
mine is going to be published in the next
Century H1gazinc."
"Whew !"
This is the time-bonored way in which
a long, low whistle OF astonishment has
always been represented in print by the
most successful wrestlers with the lam
euage. from the Old Masters down to II.
Rider Hnggard. The reader, therefore,
will kindly understand that Mr.. Bill
Tiger McSwat gave utterance to long,
low whistler
"ln the DAYS OF our courtship, Lobe
liza, he continued, staring hard at the
ceiling, "you never told me yon wrote
poetry. l didn't know you were addicted
to it, Or"
"Or vhat?" sho demanded, with
some asperity.
Nothing-nothing !" he exclaimed,
hastily. "And go you are to have Il
contribution in the next Century How
much is the editor TO pay you for 1t, Lo-
bella 2"
81 don't know. haven't heard from
him yet"
Then how do you know he is going
to print 1t ?"
"How do know Because he hasn't
returned it. ] sent it to him nearl y two
weeks ago."
ooh You did You enclosed stamps
for return postage, OF course 2"
"Why, no, Bllligcr | never thought
OF that. is it customary
Emo That is, not always, re-
piled the young husband, mastering his
emotion by desperate effort. 1T pro-
baby wasn't necessary in the case of
your poem, Lobelia. And you have
saved at least two cents
Mrs. McSwat was not exactly sure
whether he was in earnest or not She
looked at him with some suspicion. but
his countenance wore that look OF I'M
earthly gravity and innocence that may
sometimes be seen on the face OF boy
at school just after he has rolled a
double handful OF bird-shot over the
floor.
"Lobelis," he said, after pause,
"you haven't spoken Of this-this poem
of yours that is--er-sh-going to be
printed next month, to anybody else be-
sides me, have you ?"
"No."
"Then, don't do it, Lobslia." he said.
"H you can manage to hold in till the
poem is printed, which and Billiger
held his handkerchief to his face and
coughed convulsively in it for few
minutes" which will be only two
weeks longer, you know it will be all the
greater surprise to everybody. And
when that poem is printed in the maya
zine, my dear, I'll make you present
OF PAIR of diamond earrings"
The trusting young wife pillowed her
head on his bosom in an ecstasy ofgrsti-
tude, and as Billiger McSwat smoothed
her golden hair and murmured in her
ear soft assurances of his willingness to
bankrupt himself, il necessary, in order
to give her costly presents as q token OF
his pride and admiration soon a. the
poem appearsd-hs could feel himself
growing meaner and smaller and moro
l.~..~at.fa