The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-01-04
HER SECRET.

He came home a little earlier htan she
expected him.. Letting himself in with
a latchkey he hurried up stairs. She
met him at the door of the front cham
Der. Her face was slightly flushed. She
seemed excited.
why, George" she said, "is this
your"
Yes" he replied, Got to meet some
men from out of own Hurried home
to slick up
Even in her agitation she couldn't
help shuddering when he said slick
up" She had tried so hard to get him
to say dress"
Can 1 help your" she asked, still
with her back against the door.
why, no; [ guess not" he answered
as he pulled off his collar.
go in the nursery" she said, land /
viii bring you what you need"
In just a minute" he answered, and
unbuttOned the neck band Of his shirt.
Then he made a move to pass her and
open the closet door, but she hastily
barred the way.
"Wha do you want, George?" she
asked.
It want to get in the front room"
What for?'
For a shirt"
"I-I11 get it for you, George"
I'D ath pick it out for myself.
You don't know anything about neck
bands"
He made another move towards the
knob.
George she said as she caught his
arm, please ont go in there"
why not?"
II don't want you to-that is. I'd
rather get you what you want myself"
'NOnsesense. What's the matter
with you little woman?"
And again NE reached for the knob.
George" she said, ''please don't. I
really can't let you go in that room"
You can't? What's the reason?"
II can't tell you"
Cant tell me? That's queer"
He looked at her with an odd express
sion on his face.
George" she said, TREMENDOUSLY, "you
must a faith in me-"
o course" he answered, but what's
wrong with the room?"
"Everything," she quickly answered.
yes, yes, it's all upside down"
"PoOh!" he said lightly, st don't
mind that" and his hand closed on the
knob.
George" she murrnured, dear
George, if you love me don't go in that
ROOM"
His hand fell away from the knob.
The smile faded from his face.
whats this" he said.
It's all right she murmured, brok-
emily. You must have faith in me,
George. Give me time and 1 will ex-
plain ALL"
His face hardened.
Explain nOw," he said CURLY.
Il cannot, I cannot"
He too her by the wrist and led her
into the nursery.
"Sit down." he said; "you are getting
hysterical. Here is the salts. Now,
tell me what this nonsense is all about"
She looked up at him pitifully.
L can't explain" she sobbed; ''you
must have faith in me-"
He Whistled softly between his teeth.
he deliberately removed his coat.
Had he given up going into the forbid
den room?
She looked up at him shyly and
so.
Whats that" he suddenly Missed.
"What?" she whispered.
Il thought I heard the door of the
room creak."
Impossible" she gasped.
He hung his coat across a chair, laid
his vest on it, and rolled up his shirt
Then he ~resolutely strobe into
The hall. The next moment she heard
him tramping about the front room.
Her heart stood still.
Presently he came back. i
Say" he asked in an irritable tone.
what in the world did you make all
fuss about? There was nothing
n there" But his smile rapidly came
back, and when he left the mouse he
vas in his usua good spirits.
only to Think" said the wife next
to her dearest friend, as she told
If the thrilling episode" he never so
much as noticed the sofa pillow I'm
making him for Christmas, and I al
most died for fear he'd get into the
DOM and discover it. Aren't men SO
lueer?'-Cleveland Plain Dealer.