Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-06-18
HER GUILTY SECRET

u2aIFi&~e everything HfHt on t1FStS+
Mrs. Hurd was very sffectionate and
charming. and JOSHUA was as proud
and happy as II was possible for him
to be.
At the end Of chat tine Joshua's sus-
rscious disposition received a morsel to
feed On. One day MrS H1rd was miss
ing from the house. and nobody knew
where size was.
High and low Joshua sought Der.
questioning every one be met. but re-
cesslng no satisfaction He went in
frantic haste around 20 all the neigh
bors. asking for his wife
lie felt sure that she had eloped. Just
as tie wives do IN story books When
be reached home. Mrs Hurd was work
ing in the parlor as easy and eontented
as usual
Jushua overwhelmed her with tor
rent Of questions. but abe gave him
only laughing replies.
A week went by. sndsthe mysterious
absence occurred sgain. This time II
extended over nearly all the afternoon.
and Joshua's Indignation reached
white heat
He searched the premises very thor,
cughiy, he cross questioned the serv-
ants and made himself obnoxious 90
everybody be encountered by a relation
Of bis difficulties. but be got no light
on the subject of Mrs Hurts mys-
terious absence.
At dinner time she appeared. quiet
and serene as ever, and to all JoShua's
indignant entreaties that she would
tell him where she had been she only
laughed and declared be was the sill
Hest old noedle she ever saw.
Then Joshua took refuge Ia dlgnined
silence. and his wife kissed him and
called him u bear and went OF TO ride
with Katie Evans. q young girl favor
itc of hers
At the end OF another week the mrs
terious absence was repeated. and as
time passed on strange things occur
red with wonderful regularity.
Joshua grew nearly insane with the
wild and dreadful suspicious which
had erept Into hts mind. He felt aim
self fully justified In watching his wife
closely.
And after two weeks OF the most
persevering surveillance he was able
10 trace her 70 an unoccupied chamber
over the coachhouse. Tine door was
always locked, and the wooden shut
tiers OF the windows always closed
He said nothing to his wife OF his
discovery. but be resolved 20 be quiet
and relentless as the grave the next
time she indulgcd In one OF her secret
sessions IN the chamber OF the coach
house
That time soon arrived Joshua bad
made confidAnts OF two gentleman
friends, cid bachelors. who had warn
ed him OF the EVIL to come when he
had married the Widow Bedford.
There was no method OF getting Into
that chamber OF secrets except through
the chimney. Mr.. Hurd did not want
TO effect forcible entrance, because
he feared Ia that event he should not
find out bis wife's secret
Mrs. Hurd had been cioscied in her
secret chamber not more than half an
hour when Mr.. Hurd's friends planted
themselves In the passage outside the
locked door. while Mr.. Hurd climbed
on a long ladder TO the roof OF the
cuaehhouse and made preparations to
descend the chimney
The chimney was rather small. and
Mr.. Hurd was not the leanest man In
the world. and the consequence was
that after descending about eight or
ten feet the aperture narrowed. and
Mr.. Hurd stuck fast.
Frightened half out Of his senses
lest he should be Obliged 10 remain
there and perish. Mr.. Hnrd made vIo-
lent efforts 10 extricate himself, but be
was very soon convinced that II WAS
useless 10 wriggie in the expectation
Of getting any farther down the chin
ney. so he directed all his efforts to
the aim OF going up.
On the top Of the house be disrobed
himself of all apparel except his under
clothes and again essayed the descent
This tine he was more successful than
he had hoped for or even desired. for
the chimney grew suddenly wider just
below the narrow place. aad Joshua
shot down the opening like the last
kernel Of corn through the hopper Of
griSfnill
There was a small fire on the hearth,
and the frantic leap given by our hero
to avoid scorching his feet scattered
the Goals In every direction.
AT sight OF the sparsely clad. sooty
apparitlon thus suddenly launched up
on her notice Mrs. Hurd uttered
piercing scream and fed TO the door.
which she unlocked In mad haste and
precipitated herself into the very arms
Of Mr.. Hurd's sentinel friends
Don't kin mer' cried Mrs. Hurd. too
much beside herself with terror TO
recognize her husband Il did all TO
please Joshua wanted to keep his
love. IL was getting gray-and. oh.
dear, dear dear. dearF And she burst
into fit of passionate sobbing.
Getting grayF' cried Joshua MY
love getting gray? The woman is In