Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-07-18


know if you are happy? Does your
husband treat you well?"
ooh, yes, mamma. James is an an
gel"
"But are you sure?' persisted Mrs.
Arnold. 'Where is Mr.. Polwhele, my
dear?"
CAT work in his room"
'Indeed! Why is he not here to re-
ceive US? I am disappointed in him.
He must be taught
sEMammaH" interrupted Mrs. Pol
whele, ''I trust you will not attempt
to teach James anything. He is con-
sidered among those who should know
quite a genins."
E'Nonsense, child" she exclaimed.
'He is only a man, and men must not
be spoiled by foolish wives. Did I I'M
derstand you to say he is at work in
his room?"
'He is writing book"
Con what subject?''
Greatly, mamma, [ do not know.
James allows no one to enter his room
but himself His work is secret and
the door is always locked"
Mrs. Arnold lifted up her hands in
establishment.
Goodness, graciousi" she cried,
care you the mistress of this house?
Do you mean to say that you don't
know what he does-that you have
never been in his room?"
IT asked him to let me dust the room,
but he said no one must enter it,"
~ see I must deal with Mr.. Polwhele.
Keep a secret from his wife, indeed!
Have a locked up room in his house!
He may be coiner-a forger az
'Mamma?"
81 say he may. I've heard of such
things. You must insist on knowing
what is going on. You have a right
to know"
Mr.. Polwhele did not appear until
lunch time. His mother in law greet
ed him rather stiff1y.
IT hoped to have seen you much
earlier" she said.
II was busy just them" he rejoined.
''I must apologize for not coming
down to welcome you"
"Grace says you lock yourself up in
your room and allow no one to enter
not even your wife" continued Mrs.
Arnold. On some more fitting occa-
sion / should like to point out that Sc
crets are-are''-
''Secrets," prompted Mr.. Polwhele.
II beg you will point out nothing"
She took the hint and said no more
just then But she never lost an op-
portunity to stir her daughter up; and
Mrs. Polwhele soon began to think
that it was downright wrong to lock
up room and a secret.
She tried wheedling. Mr.. Polwhele
enjoyed it immensely, but declined to
be made a Samson.
She tried entreaties and tears. Mr..
Polwhele kissed the latter away and
kept his secret. Then she tried anger.
sJames," she said, 1--WE shall never
be happy until [ have been in that
room. You are unkind and unjust.
It is wrong Of you. I couldn't have
believed you would have acted SO.
Take me into that place at once"
II am very sorry, my dear,o he said,
''to disapoint you, but I can't take you.
Ask me in six months time and you
shall see everything"
Mrs. Polwhele bounced out of the
room. Here was a woman burning to
know a secret, and her husband asked
her to wait six months. She told her
mother what had TRANSFERRED.
Mr.. Polwhele attended a scientific
meeting that day. He came home
rather unexpectedly. Hurrying up
stairs with that quiet step of his he
caught his mother in law trying keys
on the lock of his room door.
MADAM he said, IT shall be very
angry if I see or hear of this kind of
thing again. [ shall be so angry that
l shall ask you to leave my house and
never more to enter it.''
Mrs. Arnold fairly gasped with as
/ constituent. This from Mr.. Polwhele!
/ This from the meek little man who
had married her daughter.
/ She tried to express her Indignation,
but failing to find words, ran down
stairs in towering passion and burst
/ into the room where sat the offenders
wife.
''Your husband is Bluebeard!n she
/ gasped. ~ am sure he is. He is a
Bluebeard-a murderer! He has been
married before and killed his wives.
Their bodies are in that room"
fit of Mysteries terminated her
rawlings.
Mrs. Polwhele almost tainted. The