Middletown transcript., 1894-03-24
: SHE OVERHEARD.
By F. G. w.

Brounker sat near his stove smoking
long pipe; opposite was his intimate
friend, Won Grote. Nine. Brounke
and her children we're gone to a parry
so the two friends sure OF not being
interrupted, covnersed confidentially
"What can he the reason" sale
Grote to Brounker, THAT you will moi
consent to the marriage of your sor
with the daughter of Birkenrode?''
my dear fellow l do not oppose the
match; it is my wife who will not heal
of it.'
''But what reason can she have to
refuse her consent"
81 cannot tell you," answered
Brounker, lowering his voice.
"A mystery!" exclaimed Grote.
'come, you know how discreet am
let me know all about it"
"But will you promise to be secret?'
Do you wish me to swear il?'
"Well, it is now six and twenty years
since l was married, and l frankly
confess toyou that I was excessively
jealous of my wife.
"My position obliged me to see
great deal of company at home, and l
feared that some ofmy numerous yis-
itors would rob me Of my Clotilda's af-
fections; one Of these particularly, Col.
Birkenrode. caused me the greatest
fear.
II could not deny him access to my
house,as he belonged to very power
full family; neither had anything in his
conduct given me reason to do SO.
"At the time 1 speak of 1 bought
this house, where l previously bad
constructed in secret, behind this
stove. a narrow closet, from which l
could hear all that passed in this room
wherein my wife received her visitors.
"For long time Birkenrode con-
tented himself with depicting in the
most vivid colors the passion which
consumed him my wife listened with
out making him any answer. At last
one day he became more impatient
than before and threatened to blow his
brains out before her eyes if she would
not show little more pity.
But I'm not at liberty, exclaimed
she, in voice interrupted by sobs.
And if your liberty were restored
to you?' urged the Lothario.
''Sirl" said my wife.
IF you become widow, insisted he
swear to give me your hand
"To this proposition my wife an
swered only with her tears, and he
left her.
1.-THE next morning an extraordi-
nary occurrence greatly increased the
agitation of Clotilda. During break
fast servant came and whispered in
my ear that the cook wished to speak
to me privately. Let him come in
said ]; L have no secrets from my
wife,
1.-THE cook came, as pale as death,
and with q long face he told me that
he had that morning received packet
containing 300 forins, small vial nd
note telling him to put the contents
of the vialinto the first eel pasty
he made. (You well know my ex-
treme fondness for eels, while my wife
cannot bear even the smell Of them.)
'He was promised eYen 2 greater
recompence il he faithfully tt 2 xecuted
commission. Fearing some tfeachery,
he had FASTENED to give me the vial and
the the 800 horins.
Il Immediately put few drops of
the liquid contained in the vial on
lump of sugar and gave to my wife's
little dog. The poor little animal was
taken with violent convulsions and ex-
pired in few moments. There was
no doubt that the intention was to
destroy me.
1.-The same day Blrkenrode came as
usual, but Clotilda refused to see him,
and wrote to him to say that she
would confess all to her husband If he
ever dared TO show himself again.
Having uselessly tried to calm her
anger, he resolved at last to marry,
and since that our families have had
no communication, except that my son
has fallen in love with his daughter,
and, although had given my consent,
my wife opposed it,"
''She is right" Indignantly ex-
claimed Won Grote. 81 never should
have thought Birkenrode capable of
such vile action"
lila ha, hal' said Bounker, burst
ing with laughter. "Do you, then, too
accuse himp'
"Who then, could it be, if he was
not the culprit2''
at was myself, dear fellow; the ad-
venture cost me 300 forins, which l
gave to my cook. 1t was rather dear,
but at the same time got rid of a
dangerous rival and a lap dog which l
eqally tested-ha, ha, ha!''
At this moment the door opened and
Nine. Breuuker entered the room.
Il thought You were at the party,
Clotilda, .said her husband,
No; ! do not feel very we'll and am
going to bed. Maurice has accompanied
his sisters. | have brought you key,
which have fonnd on your desk; as il
does not seem to belong to any of the
locks in in this house, some friend of
yours must have left it behind him. -
Brounker deeply blushing took the
key. He had recognized it as the key
to his private closet.
my dear" said Clotilda II have
given Maurice my consent to his mar