The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-06-08
A Double
Secret
BY EUNlCE BLAKE

ward to Il lonely old age. He wished
to marry, but there was an impeachment
in the way of his marrying. At thirty
he had married a girl of seventeen
against her parents wishes. Seventeen
is tender age for Il woman to be
placed in antagOnism with her mother,
and husband who under such circum-
stances attempts to contend with a
mother-in-law is quite likely to get
the worst Of it. One day, but a month
after his wedding-at the end Of the
hOneymOOn-AIr. Smith went home
from business to find the newly built
nest deserted. His wife's mother had
swooped down on her and carried off
her chick.
1t was six months before the be-
reaved husband could discover where
his wife had been taken. Then he
also learned that she was dead. At
any rate, his mother-in-law wrote him
to that effect. But whether the lady
cease to pursue her daughter or wheth-
err she wrote the truth he was not
quite certain.
But now, twenty years from the
date of his marriage, he met maiden
lady verging on to forty with whom
he was very companionable. He never
told her about his marriage, for he
made up his mind to win her if posi-
bic and feared that if he admitted any
doubt as 70 his being free to marry
she would not take the risk. When he
proposed to her she surprised him with
confession. She informed him that
the name she bore was not hers legal
ly There was long story to tell in
connection with the matter Of her pass
ing under an assumed name that she
would tell him If he cared to hear it.
after which he might judge for him
self If he wished to marry her.
Smith after few moments of
thought replied that there was a mat
rimonial hitch in his own case. If he
told her what it was it would always
worry her: il he knew what hers was
it would worry him. Would it not be
vice versa? In his own case there was
not one chance in thousand of there
being any trouble. She said that the
same was true in her own case She
would take the risk if he would. After
awhile they concluded that what had
been proposed was the sensible thing
to do, and they We're married.
Things don't always turn out as ex-
pected. Instead Of there now being
two causes for worry there were four.
Mr.. Smith in addition to having his
own affair to trouble him had that of
his wife Mrs. Smith also had two
cares of worry where she had had one.
Then. too, curiosity came in to make
matters worse.
The prime difficulty in their now un-
themselves to each other
was that fearing they would not adj
here to their resolution of keeping
their secret they had each registered
q VOW to maintain it inviOlate. Mr..
Smith. who was engrossed in business.
did not find it difficult to keep his vow,
but Mrs. Smith, who had little to oc
cupy her mind. dwelt upon her hus-
bands secret continually. One day
she said to him:
"Dear, I have concluded that must
know your secret. True, you have
made vow not to reveal it, but that
vow was made to me, and release
you
'Why cannot you dismiss this mat
ter from your mind?" he asked. IF
l tell you my secret ! am entitled to
know yours. l don't wish to know it.
If I did l might feel some
thing, do something, say something to
spoil our happiness. AS it is, we are
passing on without anything to mar
it. Why not let the matter rest as it
Is? Remember Pandora and the box
Of troubles she opened
This was all very well, but the curl
Gus bee had been buzZing in Mrs.
Smiths bonnet so long that she could
endure it no longer. However, some
thing occurred to bring about a revela-
ton of both mysteries. One morning
the postman delivered the mail while
the Smiths We're at breakfast. Mrs.
Smith opened letter addressed to her
and turned pale. Seeing that she was
about to faint. her husband ran to her
and caught her in his arms. She came
to herself in few moments.
"What is it, darling?" cried her hus-
band.
"Read it,
Taking up the letter, he read:
When. your mother died she left it dis
cretionary with me to make confession
for her. 1 have not long to live and have
concluded to make it before I die. Your
mother spoke falsely when she told you
your husband was dead. She also wrote
him that you were dead
Something glimmered upon George
Smith. An idea was trying to perme-
ate his brain.
sWhat was your maiden name?" he
gasped.
"Stacey-Arietta Stacey"
Throwing his arms about her, he
her till she cried out.
"Thank heaven! he cried.