The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-02-23
SHE OVERHEARD

pipe. Opposite was his intimate friend,
Won Grote Nine. Brounker and her
children we're gone to party, so the
two friends. sure Of not being inter
rupted. conversed confidentially.
what can be the reason" said Grote
TO Brounker, that you will not consent
to the marriage of your son to the
daughter of Birkenrode?"
MY dear fellow, it is my wife who
will not hear of the match"
'But what reason can she have to re-
fuse her consent?"
II cannot tell you," answered Broun-
ker, lowering his voice.
"a mysteryw exclaimed Grote.
"Come, you know how discreet l am.
Let me know all about it."
'But will you promise to be secret|
''Do you wish me to swear it?"
"Well, it Is now six and twenty years
since l was married, and frankly con-
fess to you that was excessively jeal-
GUS Of my wife. My position obliged
me to see a great deal Of company at
home, and / feared that some of my
numerous visitors would rob me of my
Clotilda's affections. One of these par
ticularly = Colonel Acknowledgement
me the greatest fear.
Eat the time speak Of bought this
house, where 1 previously had con-
structed in secret, behind this stove, a
narrow closet, from which could hear
all that passed in this room, wherein
my wife received her visitors.
For long time Birkenrode content
ed himself with depicting in the most
vivid colors the passion which consum-
ed him. My wife listened without
making any answer. At last one day
he became more impatient than before
and threatened to blow his brains out
before her eyes If she would not show
a little more pity.
"'But am not at libertyv exclaimed
she in a voice interrupted by sobs.
"'And If your liberty were restored
to your urged the Lothario.
"'Sirv said my wife.
"Tf you become widow insisted
he, swear to give me your hand
ITO this proposition my wife answer
ed only with tears, and he left her.
'The next morning an extraordinary
occurrence greatly increased the agita-
ton of Clotilda. During breakfast a
servant came and whispered in my ear
that the cook wished to speak to me
privately. Let him come in said I. 4
have no secrets from my wife,
1.-THE cook came, as pale as death,
and, with long face, he told me that
he had that morning received a packet
containing 300 forms, small vial and
a note telling him to put the contents
! Of the vial into the first eel pasty he
made. You well know my extreme
fondness for cells, while my wife can
not bear even the smell Of them.
| "He was promised even a greater
recompense if he faithfully executed
the commission. Fearing some treach-
| cry, he had FASTENED to give me the
| vial and the 300 forms.
81 Immediately put few drops Of
4 Cne MUM conraTneu In 4ha-uiaI-osa-- a
lump Of sugar and gave 1t to my wife's
little dog. The poor little animal was
taken with violent commissions and ex-
| pired in a few moments. There was
no doubt that the intention was to de-
| stroy me.
'The same day Birkenrode came as
usual, but Clotilda refused to see
him and wrote to him to say she would
| confess all to her husband If ever he
dared to show himself again. Having
uselessly tried to calm her anger, he re-
nj loc 10 m CT, I,
our families have had no communica-
ton, except that my son has fallen in
love with his daughter, and although
have given my consent my wife OPP
poses it."
"She Is right" Indignantly exclaimed
Won Grote. II never should have
thought Birkenrode capable Of such
vile action"
"Ha, ha, hap said Brounker, bursting
with laughter. "Do you, then, too, ac-
cuse him?"
"Who, then, could it be, If he was
not the culprit?"
ut was myself, dear fellow. The adj
venture cost me 300 forms, which 1
gave to my cook. 1t was rather dear,
but at the same time 1 got rid of
dangerous rival and lapdog which 1
equally detested. Ha, ha, har'
At this moment the door opened, and
Nine. Brounker entered the room.
II thought you were at the party, Clio
tilda," said her husband.
mo. I do not feel very well and am
going to bed. Maurice has accompanied
his sisters. 1 have brought you q key,
which have found on your desk, and
as 1t does not seem to belong to any Of
the locks in this house some friend of
yours must have left it behind him."
Brounker, deeply blushing, took the
key. He had recognized it as the key
to his private closet.
MY DEAR" said Clotilda, 'T have CIV
en- Maurice my consent to his marriage
with the daughter of Mr.. Birkenrodc."
Thanks, dear wife," said Brounker.
"That is good news"
"Mr. Grote," said she, "pray remain
and sup with my husband tonight. We
have an excellent eel pasty in the
larder, which, I assure you, does not
contain the slightest portion Of poison"