The Forrest City times., 1891-07-17

now I am sure of it. Tell me all about it. It will do you good to confide to some one, and you and l have never had a secret from one another during the last twenty years. Is it anything to do with Tom?" No; no-indeed it isn't! Pray don't think that!" sobbed Mrs. Par ting6on.
 "Well, that's a mercyl" observed Mrs. Brandon. "Then it must be something to do with yourself. What is it?"
 There was short pause, during which Mrs. Partington's sobs slightly subsided
 "Nell,' she sad presently, cts all your fault"
 My fault, dearl' exclaimed Mrs: Brandon.
 Your fault" repeated Mrs. Part ington. "It has all come of your in- troducing me to that hateful Pompa- dour Club. Oh, how 1 wish had never entered the place." You don't mean to say" Mrs. Brandon paused and looked at her friend.
 "l mean to say that, unknown to Tom, have been playing there every afternoon, and losing constantly, un- til-oh, Nell, promise swear that you will not tell Tom thisl"
 "Of course not. Have we ever be- trayed one another's confidence, dear? But you must promise me something, too. Promise that you will tell Tom"
 'I? Oh, Nell, you don't know what you are asking. You have not heard all yet. would not have Tom know it for all the world! Rather than that 1 would"
 Mrs. Partingtons sobs had burst forth again with renewed force. Sud cry of pain which alarmed her friend. Perceiving that she was really i'll, Mrs. Brandon summoned assis- tance. Many minutes did not elapse before one of the servants was hurry ing of for q doctor,
 Very shortly after the arrival of that functionary Mrs. Brandon her self left. She drove directly to the club where Tom Partington occasion ally called for an afternoon on his way home from the city. By good luck he was there now, and the mes sage which Mrs. Brandon sent in quickly brought him to her carriage door. A very few words passed be- tween them, but enough to make Toms face grow to twice it's normal length
 'I will be of at once.' he said
 "Do," responded Mrs. Brandon, but mind, not a word yet Not until she is quite well again"
 Trust mel' cried Tom. He was al- ready mailing passing hansom, and with a hurried bow to Mrs Brandon he jumped into it.
 When he reached home he sprang up the steps and rang the door-bell sharp second by the cook who, with look ofdeep importance on her face, gasped out: Please, sir, will you be as quiet as possible. And-and-it's a boyl"
 Before her bewidered master had time to make any inquiries relative to this information, the doctor, who had been descending the stairs when he en- tered, came up to him and took him by the hand.
 ''l must congratulate you, my dear sir" he said, Ion the birth of re- markedly fine son. am glad to tell you, too, that Mrs. Burlington is go- ing on as well as can be expected But she is naturally very weak. So, if you go in to see her, do not stop more than a minute or allow her to talk htvn l,,,latAl tA har must be most carefully avoided. will call Tn again later and see how she IS progressing"
 At the end of week 1t was evident that Mrs. Burlington was only mend ing very slowly, and the doctor ex- pressed his conviction to the husband that something was weighing on the patient s mind, the removal of which was essential to her complete recovery.
 On the same afternoon, as he sat by his wife's bedside, with one of her hands in his, he said kindly, Ada, my dear you have something on your mind"
 A quick flush overspread her pale face and she averted his gaze, murmuring in confused tone, What makes you fancy that, Tom?"
 ''The eyes of love are quick to see such things" replied her husband, tenderly, as he stroked her hair with his disengaged hand. Do you think l failed to remark it just now when, as your glance fell on the little one there, n groan escaped your lips? And you have shown by many other signs that something is troubling you"
 "Oh, Tom, she cried suddenly, lean ing forward and hiding her face on his shoulder, you will not speak so kindly when you know the truth. Yet l must tell you, my-my husband. You have been so kind and gentle that l cannot deceive you any longer. But try, Tom tpleadingly), not to be angry with me"
 "There is no fear of that, said Tom, encourglngly,, Come, little woman, let us have the murder out.
 "Ah, you do not know what it is," she went on in remorseful tones, 'else you would not treat it so lightly. Oh, Tom, Tom, I--I-have lost all my fortune"
 How did you manage that?" he asked quietly.
 You may we'll put such question"