Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-04-23
HER SECRET.

Mr.. Paumerton had a very contemptu-
Gus idea of woman's ability to keep
secret, and Rose, his wife, knew it and
wanted to prove that she could keep one.
Mr.. Paumerton one day found man
leaving the house, and his wife immedi-
ately after looked flushed and excited. Her
husband tried to find out what was up,
but she merely replied that it was mat
ter of business, and that she intended to
keep her secret. To Mr.. Paumerton's great
annoyance she did. After several weeks
he saw the male stranger come out Of the
house again and take cab. Mr.. Palmer
ton followed in another cab.
His own cabby stopped in front of a real
estate office.
''He went in there" he said. "I'd kept
up closer If could, but my horses amt
the equals o. his"
You need not wait. I'll take street car
back"
Into the handsome Office Mr.. Paumer-
ton rushed, but the man he had followed
was not visible. A tall, gray haired gen.
tleman came forward.
II called" began Mr. Paumerton hest
tatingly, "to see about some real estate"
'!Ah, yes, certainly. Sit down. I'll
show you what we have If you will ex-
plain something in regard to your wishes"
'My wife and have often talked of
home in the suburbs-on the hills-a house
of eight or ten rooms, nice grounds and
not too tremendously high priced"
The other smiled blandly, then walked
back to desk to bring forward his maps
and diagrams. In the meantime Mr.. Pau
merton saw nothing of the good looking
young fellow he had been following.
81 might as well see what he has to sell.
I will show little Mrs. Rose that l can
keep secret as we'll as herself"
Before he went home he found exactly
what he wanted, only he learned that an
other bidder was after the property.
The next day he went and looked at the
house and lot. A beautiful home it was
indeed, and he put in his bid and anxious
ly awaited results.
''I've offered all can afford" he mus
ed. II hope the other party won't go any
BETTER
But the other party did Ego BETTER"
and the deeds were made out, he learned.
sim sorry" he said to the gray haired
gentleman, "but could not afford to Of
fer any more, and it really, in my estima-
ton, wasn't worth any more"
Then the same individual that he had
followed not long before entered the office
and addressed the elderly man es father.
Ellis son." mused Mr.. Paumerton, II
know his name now and shall have an
eye on him hereafter"
But that night, when he went home to
supper, Rose, clad in her prettiest gown,
met him with bright smile and the hap
piest face in the world.
He noticed her glowing cheeks, her lack
of appetite, her restlessness, and wonder
ed much. When once in the parlor, she
came and sat down beside him and put
her hand in his.
'I've confession to make" she said
shyly.
"The secrets coming now, Is it?" he
gayly asked.
"Not before it's proper time, though.
Some months ago had letter from pa
pa, saying that he desired to present me
with home, and he wanted me to select
pretty place, such as thought we should
both like, and he would pay for it; that
the price of said property must not be over
100000"
Mr. Paumerton looked delighted.
eyes" continued Rose, "and / found
the loveliest place! had hard time to
get it, for it was wanted by another party
but raised my first bid 200 more, and to-
day have the deed. Here it is
Mr.. Paumerton took the paper and look
ed it over. Then he began laughing and
he continued laughing until his pretty
young wife thought he had taken leave Of
his senses.
"You see now," she said poutingly,
"whether can keep a secret or not"
~ see quite plainly" he gasped at last,
"and it has cost you just 5000"
"Howp What do you mean?"
"Only that l happened to be the party
who caused you to raise your bid"
"But papa"--
'Papa is all right. He's trump, and
the place, under the circumstances, pecul-
lar as they are, is worth all you've paid
for it. My darling, I wanted you to have
just such home. I've saved and scrimp-
ed for that purpose, but my money can be
invested elsewhere, and want you to en-
Joy your lovely new house, as shall.
never ought to have told you. Don't look
SO sold. The joke was too good. Next
time you have a secret you'd better have
a confidant."
1t was some time before Rose could
laugh over 1t, but she does now, though
she has never told her father.--Exchange.