The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-08-21

CIOuu WIS sure W COIIl0 DdCA tt9itIIl-pGT'
haps because Stephen stayed at his club 8
little longer than usual or b cause he
would write letter or two and put them
into his pocket, evidently with the inten-
ton of posting them without having shown
them to her.
At last one day she plucked up all her
courage, and it was by no small effort ]
can assure you, and said boldly to her hus
band, s.Stcvie, what is that letter you have
been writing?"
''Merely business letter, Dearest" he
answered.
''Yes-but on what business?" she ask
ed, her heart beating hard and fast at her
hardness and persistence.
"Oh! no thing that would interest you,
my darling" he returned, carelessly.
But Stevie, it does interest me-"
There was IL sound of tears in her voice,
and indeed they were not very far from
her eyes-Stephen turned to her. "Why,
my dearest" he cried. what are you trou-
bling about? 1t is only business letter,
dear"
"But Stevie," she cried piteously, sit is
your business that [ most want to know
about. ! shouldn't mind ;fbout the rest,
but you keep all your business from me
and make me feel as if l was a doll,
plaything, n toy, and nothing else. It's
not right, Stevie, | am your wife and
have right to know all your affairs
ought to KNOW ought to have nothing
kept back from me. 1t is my right to
know"
He had started perceptibly at her words
urging that being his wife she had right
to know all his affairs, and when she at
last stopped literally because she could not
trust herself to go on further, he remained
silent, looking as if some new difficulty
had presented itself before him which he
did not quite know how to deal with. At
last, however, he spoke.
you are quite right, sweetheart" he
said, slowly and unwillingly: sit is your
right to know everything that concerns
me or that am mixed up with. Every
thing affecting my heart you do know al
ready-I am yours absolutely and always.
Bat about my business affairs well, daf'
ling l tell you everything of which ! am
free to speak to you. 1t is true that there
is one matter on which | have been sill
ent, not because | wanted TO keep it from
you, but simply because have taken an
oath never to disclose this affair to q liv.
ing SOUL"
Even your wife?" she cried, reproach'
fully.
Gwen my wife," he said, firmly
Though mind, juicy, if had been mar
ried, or had even seen you when | went
into this arrangement, should never have
tied myself, because | hate to have any
knowledge which | cannot share with
you. But | had never seen GU then and
although l feel differently now, l am
bound to respect my word of honor"
'And it is Il business matter?" she ask.
ed, already somewhat Modified by the eX-
PLANTATION and the unmistakable sincerity
of his words.
'My dear child, it is u business secret,
that is ALL he answered. 'YOu know in
many businesses they have what is Gu lied
a trade secret-in one it may be particu-
lar way of making varnish, in another
of making medicine. or pill or liq-
uor This is neither. but it is imperative
that it is treated as a secret and kept as
secret"
docs Mamie know it?" Julia asked,
half ashamed of being ready to pin this
new suspicion on to the old grievance.
Bob knows it, and Bob is bound under
exactly the same conditions as | am"
oath Just now, but" with a smile, "that
was rather strong way Of putting it.
But the fact remains the same, that Bob
and I and all the others who are mixed UP
in the undertaking have given our word
of honor not to divulge word to any Gv'
ing being"
Julia did not speak for a few minutes.
'But, Stevie," she said at last, in q burst
of desperation, ''can'tyou tell me anything
about it?"
The intense yearning in her voice touch
ed him. my dear little love, how | wish
l could make you a partner aud tell you
everything" he replied, 'yet cannot.
But can tell you this-it is property
that we have amongst us-and it is gold
mine"
ga gold mine-and we shall be enor.
mously rich some day?"
eff our hopes are realized-enormously
rich"
'FAnd why is there secret about it?"
Because nobody suspects that tie gold
is there to begin with-if they did every
body would be after it and we should have
no end of trouble"
and the secret is the whereabouts OF
''That is just so-and the means Of work.
ing it.
Juna thought it over for few minutes
and then she gave sigh as if she had
made up her mind. "Well. Stevie, dar-
ling" she said, 'rm sorry you can't make
me partner in this wonderful mine, but
as you can't why we WON'T say any more
about it, and / won't worry you any
more" and then they kissed one another
and Stephen III award thanked Heaven in
his heart That ne was to have peace.
Only one more question did Julia ask on
the subject just then. "Stevie," she said,
"You said that Minnie does not know
about this gold mine"
tWeIl?" he asked.
"Of course she knows as much as know
that there is such thing?"
'Oh, yesr"
''And she doesn't mind?"
Doesn't mind-hOw?"
"Well, she doesn't object to Bob having
a secret from herr"
CsOb po-pnt n hit in tho world ~