The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-22
THE SECRET CLOSET.

1t was a winters night of piercing cold
ness in Amsterdam. Banker Brounker
sat near his stove smoking long pipe.
Opposite was his intimate friend, Won
Grote. Mime. Brounker and her children
were at a party, SO the two friends, sure
of not being interrupted, conversed conf
dentially.
what can be the reason" said Grote to
Brounker, 'sthat you will not consent to
the marriage of your son with the daugh-
ter of BirkenroGe?''
"My dear fellow, do not oppose the
match. 1t is my wife who will not hear
of it,
"But what reason can she have to refuse
her consent?'
81 cannot tell you, answered Brounker,
lowering his voice.
ga mystery!'' exclaimed Grote. "Come,
you know how discreet I am. Let me
know about it,
''But will you promise TO keep it a Sc
cret?''
at promise faithfully"
swell, it is now six and twenty years
since was married, and frankly confess
to you that was jealous of my wife.
''My position Obliged me to see a great
deal of company at home, and I feared
that some of my numerous visitors would
rob me of my Clotilda's affections. One
of these particularly, Colonel Birkenrode,
caused me the greatest fear.
IT could not deny him access to my
house. as he belonged to very powerful
family, neither had anything in his con-
duct given me reason to do SO.
cat the time speak of I bought this
house. where I previously had constructed
in secret behind this stove a narrow closet,
from which could hear all that passed in
this room, wherein my wife received her
visitors.
ssFor long time Birkenrode contented
hiTnGaIf with fonictincs in the Tn0SfI vivid
colors the passions which consumed him.
My wife listened, without making 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 not at liberty exclaimed
she in voice interrupted by sobs.
And if your liberty we're restored to
your urged the Lothario.
g 'Sir!' said my wife a-
sc If you become widow insisted he,
swear to give NE your hand
ITO this proposition my wife answered
only with her tears, and he left her.
1.-The next morning an extraordinary
occurrence greatly increased the agitation
of Clotilda- During breakfast servant
came and whispered in my ear that cook
wished to speak to me privately. Let
him come in said L. Il have no secrets
from my WIFE
''The cook came, as pale as DEATH and,
with a long face, be told me that he had
that morning received a package contain
ing 800 forms, small vial and a note
telling him to put the contents of the vial
into the first eel pasty he made. (You
we'll know my extreme fondness for cells,
while my wife cannot bear even the smell
| of them.)
''He was promised even greater recon-
pense if he faithfully executed the COM
| mission. Fearing some treachery, he had
hastened to give me the vial and the 800
| forms
ST Immediately put few drops of the
| liquid contained in the vial on a lump of
| sugar and gave it to my wifes little dog.
| The poor little animal was taken with vio-
lent commissions and expired in few mo-
| ments There was no doubt that the in
! tention was to destroy me.
f'That same day Birkenrode came, as
usual, but Clotilda refused to see him and
| wrote to say that she would confess ell to
| her husband if ever he dared to show him
| self 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 al
though have given my consent my wife
| opposes it,
| '.She is right" Indignantly exclaimed
! Won Grote 81 never should have thought
| Birkenrode capable Of such vile action. !"
| "Ha ha, haI'' said Brounker, bursting
with laughter. 'tDo you, then, too, accuse
| himf''
"Who, then, could it be. If he was not
the oulprit?''
''It was myself, dear fellow. The ad-
venture cost me 500 forms, which I gave
| to my cook. It was rather dear, but at
| the same time 1 got rid of q dangerous
rival and lapdog which equally detest-
ed. Ha, ha, hai''
At this moment the door opened and
Mime. Brounker entered the room.
81 thought you were at the party, Clio
tilda,'' said her husband.
''No; do not feel very well and am go
| ing to bed. Maurice has accompanied his
sister. I have brought you 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. He had recognized it as the key tC
his private closet
my DEAR said Clotilda, 81 have given
| Maurice my consent to his marriage with
the daughter of Mr.. Birkenrode."
! Thanks dear wife!'' said Brounker.
! 'sThat is good news.''
"Mr. 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 poisonl'
At these words she retired. Hardly wa:
the door closed, when Won Grote said tc
Brounker: You are properly caught il
your own net. She has been in your Sc
cret closet. He that digs pit for his en-
envy often falls into it himself. Elk
change.
William Blake's Marriage.