Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-12-22
THE SECRET OUT.

Young Mrs Harding knelt before the
great cedar chest In the linen room.
She sang gayly as she laid garment after
garment away in its fragrant depths.
The floor was strewn with piles Of win
ter clothing, and the odor Of camphor
balls mingled with the scent of June
roses which came in through the open
window.
Mrs. Harding prudently searched the
pockets of each suit before laying it
away, and when all was finished she
had quite an array of spoils-handker
chiefs, pencils, poker chips, little
change, two letters and telegram.
Having put everything in its place,
Natalie sat down to examine the letters
before burning them.
The first was Of no importance, q bill
unreceipted. She opened the telegram
and read it indifferently; then she eager
ly read it second and third time:
The darlings are doing well. Send money
for their board. MARION.
Natalie glanced at the heading,
"Dunellen. 1t was the same as the
postmark on the envelope which she
held in her hand. Hastily drawing the
letter from it's cover, she read:
DUNELLEN, April 2, 1893.
DEAR Toni will be at the train, as you sug-
gest. You must indeed be anxious to see the
little ones with your own eyes after so long
time They are large for six months. Dick is
the latest but Doris is the smartest. Both,
however, promise to be fully as clever and far
handsomer than their father.
MARION HITCHCOCK.
1.-THE impertinent hussy!" exclaimed
Natalie.
april g." she made quick calcula.
tion. The intrigue must have been GO
ing on simultaneously with her own
happy married life.
Natalie buried her face in her hands
and burst into tears.
She must rescue Tom, her dear Tom,
| from this sinful, shameless woman at
any cost But how? Calming herself,
| Natalie tried to think. Then, with sud-
| den resolution, she exclaimed: "Tom
will not be home till tomorrow night.
l will go to Dunellen and see this Ma.
rion for myself. 1t is only two hours
ride"
So saying, Natalie fastened down
stairs to dress for her journey.
There was train at / she knew
| how often she had driven Tom to it
| but what time there was a return train
| she did not know. Still she could surely
get back before tomorrow evening.
The tedious hours of the train, dur
ing which Natalie's indignation and
| jealousy grew apace, but Dunellen was
reached at last.
All went smoothly enough. The first
person she met directed her readily to
Marion Hitchcock's house. She asked
| for Marion because she was not sure
whether the hussy went as Miss or Mrs.
Evidently the girl was well known, and
| Natalie fancied that the man looked at
her rather curiously, as if he were sur
prised that she was going there.
A little old lady opened the door in
response to Natalie's knock. Her plain
black Dress spotless white apron and
prim gray curls arranged on either side
of her gentle, refined face, all spoke
loudly of responsibility, and Natalie
felt abashed.
sis Marion Hitchcock in:' she asked.
The woman looked at her curiously,
just as the man had done.
mo; Marion is out :" Then as she
saw the look of disappointment and
hesitation she added kindly: won't
you come in and wait? 1t won't be
long"
Natalie gladly accepted the invita-
ton.
Ushering her into the parlor Mrs.
Hitchcock excused herself, and Natalie,
sitting in the cool half light Of the best
room, amused herself by stu 'g the
chromos that decorated the Wv,
Soon the gate slammed, and looking
out Natalie saw q handsome, stalwart
man of 30 or 81 coming up the path,
followed by two setter pups.
Mrs Hitchcock met him at the door.
"There is a lady in the parlor wait
ing to see you, Marion, Natalie heard
her say.
just then the pups started off after
the chickens.
"Dick Doris! To heel !" commanded
the young man sternly, and as the dogs
sneaked reluctantly back Natalie under.
stood the situation.
This, then, was Marion. These
were "the darlings" that had caused
her such twinges of jealousy.
Never had an impulsive woman placed
herself in such an embarrassing posi-
ton. The hot bushes covered her
cheeks, but she had cool head and
ready wit, so when Mr.. Hitchcock came
in she rose composedly and said: II
am Mrs. Harding, and as | was in
Dunellen thought l would come and
see the dogs. l have never seen them,
you know
by Jove He told you after all.
Well, man never can keep secret
from his wife"
And Natalie smiled an inscrutable
smile. Boston Post
SANDER as 1t Flies.
Once there was a woman who spoke
| a Glandar aUaincf har na;ukho. arJ -