The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-04-03
HER SECRET.

Mr.. Paumerton had very contemptu-
GUS idea of woman's ability to keep a
secret, and Rose, his wife, knew it and
wanted to prove that she could keep one.
MIR. Paumerton one day found Il man
leaving the house, and his wife immcdi-
Ately after looked,ilushed and excited. lIci
husband tried to find out what was up,
but she merely replied that it was Il mat
ter OF business, and that she intended to
keep her secret. TO Mr.. Paumcrton's great
annoyance she did. After several weeks
he saw the male stranger come out of the
house again and take cab. Mr.. Paumer-
ton followed i'll another cab.
His own cabby stopped in front of a real
estate Office.
she went in there he said. "I'd kept
mp closer if l could, but my horses ain t
the equals o. his"
"Thats all right. Here's your money.
You need not wait. III take n street car
back
Into the handsome Office Mr.. Paumer-
ton rushed, but the man he had followed
was not visible. \ tall, gray haired gen
tleman came forward.
81 called" began Mr.. Paumerton hest
tatingly, ito see about some real estate. :"
''Ah, yes, certainly. Sit down. Ill
show you what we have if you will eX-
plain something in regard to your wishes. "
''My wife and have often talked of q
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 Mir Pau
merton saw nothing of the good looking
young fellow he had been following.
81 might as well see what he has To SELL
Twill show little Mrs. Rose that l can
keep a 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 ut the
house and lot. a beautiful home it was
indeed, and he put in his bid and anxious
ly awaited results.
GIVE offered all can afford he mus
ed. 81 hope the other rarty won't go any
better
But the other party did go better"
and the deeds were made OUT. he learned.
''I'm sorry.' he said 10 the gray haired
gentleman. but l could not afford 10 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 as father.
"His son. unused Mr.. Paumerton. II
know his name low and shall have an
eye on him hereafter"
But that night. when he went home to
supper. Rose, clad i'll her prettiest gown,
met him with bright smile and the hap
piest face in the world.
He noticed her glowing checks, her lack
of appetite, her restlessness. and wonder
ed much. When once in the rarlor. She
came and sat down beside him and put
her hand in his
"l've 2 confession To make she said
shyly
''Thc secrets coming now. is it?'' he
gayly asked.
Not before it's proper time. though
Some months ago / had Al letter from pa
pa, saying that lie. desired To l,r, sent me
with home, and he wanted me To select
IL pretty place, such MS / thoucht we should
both like, and he would pay for it; that
the price of said property mnst not be over
S10.000r
Mr.. Paumerton looked delighted
"Yes,n continued Rose, "and found
the lovelicst place. l had II hard time to
get 1t, 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.
''iou see now she said poutingly,
whether can keep secret or not
" see quite plainly" he gasped at last,
"and it has cost You just 5000
'IIow? What do you mcan?'
"Only that l happened to he the party
who caused You to raise your bid"
But pnpa'--
''Papa is all right Hes II trump, and
the place. under the circumstances. pccul-
lar as they are, is worth all you've paid
for it. My darling, l wanted you to iiav,
Just such II home. I've saved and scrmp-
ed for that purpose, but my money can h,
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 II secret you'd better HAY,
a confdant.'
1t was some time before Rose coul,
laugh over il, but she does now, though
she has never told her father 49, Exchange