The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-03-29
SHE OVERHEARD.

1t was a winters night of piercing cold
ness in Amsterdam. Banker Brounker sat
near his stove smoking q long pipe. oppo-
site was bis intimate friend, Won Grote.
Nine. Brounker and her children were
gone to a party, so the two friends, sure
of not being interrupted. conversed conf
dentially.
"what can be the reason, " said Grots
to Brounker, that you will not consent
to the marriage of your son with the
daughter Of Birkenrodef"
MY dear fellow, do not oppose the
match. 1t Is my wife who will not hear Of
it.n
"But what reason can she have to re-
fuse her consent?"
~ cannot tell you," answered Broun-
ker, lowering his voice.
"a mysteryp' exclaimed Grote. "Come
you know how discreet am; let me know
all about it,
'tBut will you promise to be secreti"
"Do you wish me to swear iti"
"Well it is now six and twenty years
since l was married, and / frankly con-
fess to you that was excessively jealous
of my wife.
"My position obliged me to see great
deal of company at home, and / feared
rob me of my Clotilda's affections One
of these particularly-Colonel Birkenrode
caused me the greatest fear.
81 could not deny him access to my
house, as he belonged to a very powerful
family; neither had anything In his con-
duct given me reason to do so.
'At the time speak of l bought this
house, where previously had constructed
in secret, behind this stove, a narrow clos
ct, from which could hear all that pass
ed In this room, wherein my wife received
her visitors.
'For long time Birkenrode contented
himself with depicting in the most vivid
colors the passion which consumed him.
My wife listened without making any an
swer. At last, one day, he became more
impatient than before and threatened to
blow his brains out before her eyes IL she
would not show little more pity.
But am not at libertyl' exclaimed
she in voice interrupted by sobs.
"'And if your liberty were restored to
your urged the Lothario.
"'SirH said my wife.
If you become n widow, insisted he,
swear to give me your hand.
''To this proposition my wife answered
only with her tears, and he left her.
1.-THE next morning an extraordinary
occurrence greatly increased the agita-
ton of ClotiIda. During breakfast serv-
ant came and whispered in my ear that tile
cook wished to speak to me privately. Let
him come in, said |. 4 have no secrets
from my wife
"The cook came, as pale as death, and,
with long fnce, he told me that he had
that morning received packet containing
800 florins, n small vial and note tell
inn him IN pnt tho Of ba piol
into the first eel pasty he made. You will
know my extreme fondness for eels, while
my wife cannot bear even the smell OF
them.
He was promised even a greater recon-
pense if he faithfully executed the commits
sion. Fearing some treachery, he had has
tened to give me the vial and the 800 florins.
II Immediately put few drops of the
liquid contained in the vial ON lump OF
sugar and gave It to my wife's little dog.
The poor little animal was taken with vi
olent commissions and expired in few
moments. There was no doubt that the
intention was to destroy me.
1.-THE same day Birkenrode came ms usu-
al but Clotida refused to see him and
wrote to him to say that she would CON
fess all to her husband il ever he 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 witt his daughter
and although have given my consent my
wife opposes it."
''She is right" Indignantly exclaimed
Won Grote. 81 never should have thought
Birkenrode capable of such a vile action. "
"Ha, ha, han said Brounker, bursting
with laughter. "Do you, then, too, ac-
cuse himfn
"Who, then, could it be, if he was not
the eulpritt"
at was myself dear fellow. The adyen-
ture cost me 800 forms, which gave to
my cook. 1t was rather dear, but mt the
same time got rid of dangerous rival
and n lap dog which equally detested-
ha, ha, har
At this moment the door opened, and
Nine. Brounker entered the room,
"I thought you were at the party, Clio
tilda, F" said her husband.
"No. ! do not feel very well and am
going to bed Maurice has accompanied
his sisters. have brought you n key,
which have found on your desk. and as
it does not seem to belong to any of the
locks in this house some friend OF yours
must have left it behind him"
Brounker, deeply blushing, took the
Key. lie had recognized II as the Key to
his private closet.
My dear" said Clotilda, al have CIV
en- Maurice my consent to his marriage
with the daughter of Mr.. Birkenrodc"
"Thanks, dear wife," said Brounker.
"That is good news" t"
eMr. Grote, " said she, "pray remain
and sup with my husband tonight. We
have an excellent eel pasty in the larder,
which, assure YOU does not contain the
slightest portion OF poisona
At these words she retired. Hardly was
the door closed when Won Grote said to
Brounker You are properly caught in
your own net. She has been in your Sc
cret closet. He that diggoth a pit for his