Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-12-13
"A SECRET UNVAILED.
Mrs. Elliot's Experience as On
Amateur Detective.

II Is best on the whole not 10 read
your husbands letters until he hands
them to you. and 1t 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-we are all
fallible. being mortal-when she had
been married about two years, that
she made herself an amateur detective.
us far as her Frank went and had
found holes that she could not explain
ono that had something in it about
Clara particularly. 1t was only hall n
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 tho servants. They knew 1t.
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 ho
often was-she suffered tortures. He
might, for all she knew, DO leading
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 1t
said, and so we come to an after
noon when she-Mrs Llliot-came
downstairs dressed for dinner,
for which she always made a 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, Rosaw
Mrs. Elliot asked, little sharply.
The girl stopped. looked down. and
answered;
"Only letter, ma'am."
'For YOURSELF" asked Mrs. Elliot
"No, ma'am. for MASTER" said the
girl.
We'll, give 1t to me-" said Mrs. Ell
liot
The girl hesitated.
"Iudeed, ma'am, the lady said TO
give it to himself" said Rosa
"A Lady, A beggar with petition.
] suppose" said Mrs. Elliot
"a lady. ma'am. and she's gone"
said the girl. "She wore a blue vail;
but nsver saw her before, I'm sure"
"Oh, very WE'LL" replied her mis-
tress. Give me the note. Mr.. Ell
liot is shaving. and would not wish TO
be disturbed"
The girl gave little impertinent
toss to her head rs she Obeyed, and
flounced 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 u sus-
piclous 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 II sealed at the door.
l. would open at touch-she could
read 1t and know its contents II she
chose.
II do choose" she said the next
moment, and the edge Of the envelope
rolled back and n slip OF paper fell
out On it were written these words,
Dear Frank: Meet mo ut the usual place II
you can dodge your wife. CLARA
A moment more and the letter was
resealed, and Mrs. Elliot, trembling
with anger, stood leaning against tho
window frame. She felt that the dread
that had been upon her had taken
shape at last.
However. she would not be hasty.
She would wait until she was sure that
he desired to receive the letter. II he
did not obey the summons 1t would
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 downstairs
with her, and placed 1t at his place.
and as he opened it she watched him