Los Angeles herald., 1891-02-01

he, came up to where she stood. Then,
in q very ceremonious manner, he ac-
counted for his unexpected appearance
In tone equally cold Elizabeth in
formed him where she was going, point
ing toward the farm house as she spoke
Young Mr.. Clifton had removed his
hat and held it in his hard when adj
dressing his wife; but u sudden cold
gust Of wind made him put it on again.
After she had finished speaking he said
gravely:
Elizabeth, II have something to say
to you. Will you give up this pleasure
party, if make your excuses to them,
and listen to me for few minutes?
The idea of giving up this pleasure
party struck young Mrs. Clifton with u
sense Of bitter absurdity. For mo-
ment spirit Of defiance possessed her,
and the answer ''No" trembled on her
lip. In that short space Of time her
life's happiness. perhaps, hung in the
balance.
II will wait here" Elizabeth s<id at
last, and, lifting his hat very ceremoni-
ously, her husband, with q foRpal
''Thank you." walked rapidly The
road.
The minutes seemed like hours until
he returned. Elizabeth stood motion
less just where he had left her. He came
quite close and looked keenly into her
face
II have letter here would like you
to read" he said, in horribly judicial
tones; "but first let me explain how it
came into my possession. If you will
look at the address you will notice that
the word Mrs is written very much
like Mr. s. is hardly noticeable.
Jane gave it to me this morning with ny y
mail. / hastily broke it open without
even glancing at the outside, not being
woman, and-perhaps You can explain
the rest"
Elizabeth received the extended en-
velope mechanically, looked at the d.
rection and then took out the inclosure
two sheets of closely writted note pa
per-looked at that and then up at her
her husband
II have not read it ALL" he said. in
very quiet tone.
Perhaps if you had you would have
seen it was not for me-" his wife an
swered, just as quietly.
Elizabeth felt only terrible anger
all other feelings seemed in allegiance.
She looked at the letter again, while her
husband watched her in dull amazement.
What did this mean? Was it guilt or in
nocence?
Suddenly it flashed over her what her
husband must have felt when he saw the
words of endearment on the Ny
own darling" must have stared at
him the instant he unfolded the sheet.
Henry" she began, lifting her clear
eyes to his, '.if you had shown me this
before you went away
chad not time, I" he hastily interrupted.
But she went on without needing him:
''It would have saved us both very un-
happy morning. have been foolish,
knew that and SO did not dare to tell
you. Henry, that letter was intended
for Cousin Kate Ashton. See, the sigma
ture is Edward st. Clair Don't you re-
member he was in love with her, but the
family forbade an engagement, would
not even permit correspondence? In a
moment Of weakness said he might ad-
dress his letters to me, and then would
reinclose them to Kate. / have been
sufficiently punished for my folly"
Elizabeth, forgive mev' was all her
husband could say, and for answer she
smiled up at him through her tears.
Presently Henry told her how near he
came to not showing her the letter.
sit was my dear mother who induced
me to do it," he said, tenderly, and Eliza
beth whispered: "Let us go to thank her;
she need not know how foolish have
BEEN"
''Dear, we>will lock the secret of our
folly in our own bosoms," Henry an
swered; sand perhaps we have learned a
lesson we shall never forget, this one Oc-
tober morning. ."-Pe Peterson's Magazine.