The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-03-14
HER SECRET.


GUS idea of q 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 immedt-
ately after looked flushed and excited. Her
husband trixi to find out what was up,
but she merely replied that it was a mat
ter of business, and that she Intended 10
keep her secret. To Mr.. Paumerton's great
annoyance she did. Aftor several weeks
he saw the male stranger come out Of the
house again and take IA cab. Mr.. Paumer-
ton followed in another cab.
His own cabby stopped in front of real
estate Office.
"He went in there" he said. "rd kept
mp closer il I could, but my horses amt
the equals o. his"
"Thats all right. Here's your money.
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 hesi-
tatingly, "to see about some real estate" "
"Ah, yes, certainly. Sit down. I'll
show you what we have II you will ex-
plain something in regard to your wishes. y
"My wife and have often talked OF a
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 bis 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
will show little Mrs. Rose that l can
keep secret as well 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 Mt the
house and lot. A beautiful home 1t was
indeed, and he put in his bid and anxious
ly awaited results.
"I've offered all can afford he mus
ed. 81 hope the other party won't go any
better"
But the other party did 'go better"
and the deeds were made ont, he learned.
"I'm sorry" he said to the gray haired
gentleman, "but l could not afford to of
fer any more, and 1t really, in my estima-
tion, wasn't worth any more.
Then tl.e same individual that he had
followed not long before entered the office
and addressed the elderly man as father.
Ellis son, muscd Mr.. Paumerton. ~
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,
i met him with n bright smile and the hap
piest face in the world.
He noticed her glowing cheeks, her lack
of appetite, her rcstlessness, and wonder
ed much. When once In the parlor, she
! ...l q. H. l. u
| her hand in his
shyly.
'rhe secrets coming now, is itS' he
gayly asked
mot before IT'S proper time, though.
| Some months ago had letter from pa
| pa, saying that he desired to present me
| with home, and lie 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.
"4es, continued Rose, 'and | found
the loveliest placel | 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
| eu IL over. linen ue began iauHnlnR, ana
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 secret or not
81 see quite plainly" he gasped at last,
"and it has cost you just 5000"
"IIow? What do you meanY"
"Only that / 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, l 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 look
go sold. The joke was too good. Next
time you have secret you'd better have
| a confldant u
1t was some time before Rose could
laugh over it, but she does now, though
she has never told her ather.-EXchange.