The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-12-17

ance. Strange to say, Harry made nc
mention of the sale to her, though he
seemed j%ubilant. So we felt sure thai
he was preparing some grand surprise
When " week had passed. however, !
began TO feel uneasy. Then he called a,
the office.
Il want to consult you about some,
thing, uncle" he said. 1T is a secret
from Doris. you must understand"
Yes said L, rubbing my hands anc
laughing up my sleeve. "Yes. my bcy.'
I've sold some of my daubs." he con-
tinued. with a hearty laugh, for a
couple of hundred. It's quite a wind.
fall. So / want to do something fol-
Derry with the money"
"EXactiy," agreed.
You know she wrote.a book OF
poems before we were married, called
Roseleaves-not half bad. either"
Eyes. of course, l know; but ]
wouldn't encourage her to do any more
if l were you, Harry. She's better &C.
cupied with her baby and house-and
husband"
"Cerrainly. but they were published
at her own risk-or-?' He looked
at me.
"Min"? Well. I'm afraid So"
ut has always been a sad point with
her that they didn't go off better. So ]
thought perhaps we could arrange tc
buy the lot with my two hundred. 1t
would please her awfully, poor little
woman"
l nearly choked with laughter. but
managed to control my c~ountenance.
"A splendid idea, and does you great
credit" l told him.
We arranged it so successfully that
in u few days a check went to Doris
from her publishers for 5000.
She came round just before dinner
to tell me-; but, to my surprise, she
seemed dismal. After a few minutes
gloomy conversation, she sat down on
the rug at my feet as she used to dc
when she was a child, sobbing as if her
heart would break.
HE has never said one word to me
about The pictures" she cried; and
and looked in his check ~book-and-
and he's spent it all. know it is IN
some else"
81 have mere faith in Harry than his
foolish little wife has l said. cheelily.
Come. come, dear, you mustn't give
way like this"
81 wouldn't have cared for myself if
he had just bought something for the
dear little baby" she continued,
huski!y.
Give him a little more time" | sug-
gested. Meanwhile, I'll see what ]
can find out. l shall see him at the club
this evening. if you will let him out"
"He can go just where he pleases, and
when ne pleases, she said, %scornfully.
Il don't want him"
Don't be a little donkey" 1 said
sharply. / seldom speak sharply to
Doris. If l do she generally cries, and
makes me feel like a brute.
l went round to the club after din
lard tournament. as l had expected.
He was dull. and after a bit drew me
into an alcove.
Look here, uncle, Doris hasn't said
a word about the check for the poems.
| thought perhaps she hadn't opened
the lettcr-you know she's jolly care
less about such things-so l went up
to her room when she was out this
afternoon TO see if it was lying on her
1t wasn't-but the envelope was.
was her check book. l didn't know
she had an account even. l suppose it
was shabby. but | looked at it and found
she had a lot of money 1 knew nothing
Of; and had just paid a check for over
a couple OF hundred"
Good heavens. mani" | cried. You
don't suspect her of anything
wrong?"
"Wrong-certainly not: foolish
nothing more likely. Anyhow. she
been straight with me. don't
if she thought l might want her
money" He kicked Il chair savagely.
| saw the game through while | con-
iidcred the matter. Then | left. and
Ook 4 cab to their house, resolved to
done with secrets. The truth
night hurt their vanity; but they'd
lave to put up with that. When | en-
cred Inc drawing-room they were both
here, and l plunged at once into the
natter.
Look fere. young people" l said,
you ROTH have n secret" But Harry
,ut his arm around her, and hey
ooked at enc another and laughed.
I've found out" said he.
so" she said. have |. Think you're
pair of wicked. deceitful creatures -
'hicag) Tribune.