Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1889-11-16
A SECRET UNVAILED.
Mrs. Elliot's Experience as an
Amateur Detective.

Vt is best 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 an examination.
| believe little Mrs. Elliot would
give any young wife that advice to-
day; but there was time-wc are all
fallible. being mortal-when she had
been married 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 it about
Clara particularly. 1t was only half a
letter, but it was suspicious.
Naturally jealous, she was too proud
to betray the fact intentionally; but
there is no keeping a secret Of that
sort from the servants. They knew it,
other people guessed at it.
Her fancies about Clara-oh, who
was Clara?-made her heart ache; but
rummaging and prying did not help
her.
When her husband was away-as he
often was-shc 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 some
thing that might mean more than it
said and so we come to an after
noon when she-Mrs. Elliot-came
downstairs dressed for dinner,
for which she always made careful
toilet, and met the waitress ascending
TO the upper floor. The girls place at
that moment was in the dining-room,
and Mrs. Elliot knew that nothing was
needed or forgotten that pertained 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, Rosap"
Mrs. Elliot asked, little sharply.
The girl stopped, looked down. and
answered;
"Only letter, ma'am."
For yourself?n asked Mrs Elliot.
NO ma'am, for MASTER" said the
girl.
Well, give it to me-" said Mrs. e.
lot
The girl hesitated.
Indeed, ma'am, the lady said to
give it to himself" said Rosa.
"A ladyp A beggar with a petition,
] suppose said Mrs. Elliot
"a lady. ma'am. and she's gone"
said the girl. "She wore blue vail;
but Inever saw her before, I'm sure
"Oh, very WE'LL" replied her mis-
tress. Give me the note. Mr. Ell
lot is shaving, and would not wish to
be disturbed"
The girl gave a little impertinent
toss to her head as she obeyed, and
founced downstairs in way that
made her mistress resolve to give her
warning.
The trouble was that the lady in the
blue vail had given Rosa some money
had whispered, "Mr Elliot and no
one else. and hurried away in a sus-
picious manner.
Mrs. Elliot meanwhile stood turning
the envelope over The address was
merely her husbands name-Mr.
Elliot-and the edge of the flap was
still damp, as If sealed at the door,
1t would open at a touch-she could
read it and know its contents If she
chose
Il do choose" she said the next
moment. and the edge of the envelope
rolled back and slip of paper fell
out. On it were written these words:
Dear Frank Meet me at the ususl place il
you can dodge your wife. CLARA.
A moment more and the letter was
rescaled. and Mrs. Elliot, trembling
with anger stood leaning against the