Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-08-13
FROsTBURG, Md, SATURDAY, AUGUST 49, 1904.
low door leading to the catch ALL"
She opened It how and entered. half
closing the door after her.

low door leading TO the eaten all.
She opened II how and entered. half
closing the door after her.
The desk was pushed to one side
with some trunks and boxes. 1t was
quaint. antique nflnir of mahogany. So
verely colonial In style. The main
body was crescent shaped. supported
on hand carved legs. There were four
drawers. two on each side. nnd
small, low cabinet OF pigeOnhOles on
top.
Suzanne stood motiOnlPss before It
for several minutes. trying to make
up her mind to insert the key. When
she did so in the lock Of the nearest
top drawer. her hand tremblcd slight
ly, and she held her breath. The key
turned easily. and the drawer was
ready for inspection. but sli" did not
open It, Thoughts whirlcd like the
fiuttering snowtlakes through her mind
and she stood again irresOut".
She had told Bcss that she believed
absolutely in Bob. Higher than her
love for him had been the unfalter-
ing belief and confidence in him. 1t
was the very keystone Of her mar. .age
faith, and yet Mt the first blow OF sus-
picion 1t gave way.
Bess was n child, with the impulsive
Judgment of child. She had been
wrong to even tell her of the desk.
wrong to discuss Bob or his motives
with her mt all or to listen for an In
stant to any doubt Of him. even in jest.
She must have faith and walt. He
had probably locked the desk against
the curiosity Of the servants and had
forgotten II In the hurry and excite
ment Of the wedding. She must be-
lieve in him. The mere fact that they
were married did not give her n Coro-
his dead past.
There was the sound Of fOOts:ep
on the stairs, and she relocked the
drawer quickly.
"I'll be down in moment. Nora"
she called. you may serve dinner"
The voice that answered wns famil
lar and masculine She nearly let the
tion Of II.
ITS only l. Sue What on earth are
you doing in therew
She stood mute and motionless nS he
bent his head and entered the low door
1t was Bob. and he was smiling and
happy. his clear eyes seeking for the
glad welcome he expected.
81 only ran down for tonight" he
added. II couldn't let you face the
first new year alone. sweetheart"
His arms reached for her. but she
shook her head and banded him the
key.
II haven't used It," she said broken
IL. "But, oh, Bob, I cnme SO near 1t.
You don't have to tell me what's in
the old thing. I'll believe yon just
the same, and don't want to know"
"Know what?" he demanded. Don't
cry, Sue" He drew her to him ten
derly. whats up. anyway"
THAT desk" she sOhbed. IT'S lock
ed"
"Is it?' He stared Mt the desk In
bewilderment. "Well, the key was on
my mantel. dear. YOu found 1t all
right. didn't you? Couldn't you I'M
lock IT,"
II could, but-hut don't wish to
know your private affairs" She tried
to draw herself away. but he took her
hands and held them from her tear
wet face 30 that ne cOnld see her eyes.
"Sue. darling" he said. "yOu blessed
little Mrs. Bluebeard. that desk Is a
wedding present to you from Grand
mother Hadleigh. It's been in the fam
fly since the year 1. l guess, and there
isn't single thing in those draw
ers. 1t came the last minute the day
we were married, and was so heavy
and unwieldly told father to send 1t
along with my things and have 1t put
away somewhere until we came home.
And laid the key In the griffin for
safe keeping. What did you think
was In it?"
But Suzanne silenced further Ques-
tioning In her own efrectual way. The
keystone of her happiness was firm
and immovable. But rs they went
downstairs to dinner she registered one
New Years vow in her heart. In the
future she would let love laugh Mt l"k.
smiths.