The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-12-16
The Myrtleville Scandal.

evidently in state of great excitement, and
full Of news. With an air OF profound
mystery, she drew Mrs. Muffit from the
wash-tub to the sitting-room, and said to
her
"What do you think has happened?"
Now Mrs. Sawyer was we'll known in
Myrtleville as 'newsy,' as one who lost no
opportunities of collecting the most reliable
and startling items of information regard
ing the sayings and doings Of the Myrtle
Williams. Accordingly Mrs. Muffit prepared
her mind for tidings of moment.
"What is it? ?' asked she, drying her
hands on her apron and setting down in a
chair for good talk
"You'll not tell told you9''
"Never."
"Because it wasn't intended for me to
hear I just happened over to Mrs. Sey-
mour's this morning, and Mrs. Kitely was
in there, and the door stood open, and I
couldn't help but hear what was said, you
know, and"
I" But what was itP' cried Mrs. Muffit,
as Mrs. Sawyer paused for breath.
Erred Seymour and Belle Granger have
eloped."
"Eloped p
"Mrs. Seymour was just telling Mrs.
Kitely as l went in. As soon as they saw
me coming, they began to talk about the
news in the mornings paper but you can't
throw me off the track in that way"
"Oh, my goodness ~ cried Mrs. Muffit,
suddenly, as if some inspiration had seized
her.
"You've heard something too" cried
the widow.
"No, but l saw Belle Granger this
morning, quite early, passing by here, in
the direction of the depot, and she had on
her travelling dress, and her waterproof,
and carried her satchel" .
''Going to meet him on the eight o'clock
train. oh, the sly, deceitful thing. Think
of her poor father"
"And her sick mother. 1t is awful.
And everybody knows Fred Seymour is as
good as engaged to Susy Belknap."
"There I'll 60 right over to Belknap's"
cried Mrs. Sawyer. Somebody ought to
break it gently to poor Susan. Poor girl
No wonder they went off slyly.
And away hustled Mrs. Sawyer to find
Mrs. Belknap and Susy in the sitting room,
sewing. 1t was a keen satisfaction to tell
the news there, for Mrs. Belknap, being in
delicate health, and possessing ample
means, kept servant and lived in style
of refinement that Myrtleville generally
condemned as putting on airs" To take
her 'down peg as Mrs. Sawyer mentally
resolved to do, was vulgar triumph she
enjoyed greatly in anticipation. But it
was in anticipation only. Mrs. Belknap
and her daughter received the news in a
quiet way, as if the gossip possessed no
special interest for them, asking no ques-
tions, and manifesting no chagrin. The
story had grown little on its way through
Mrs. Muffit's sitting-room, and Mrs. Saw
yer had now a full description of the runa-
way BRIDES costume, and the train was
specified upon which the young couple
travelled.
But after Mrs. Sawyer had gone to take
her news elsewhere, Susy turned very
pale face to her mother, asking pitifully:
"Oh, mamma, can it be true?'
~ will go over to Mrs. Seymour's dear,
fyou wish it."
"Not for the world. If it is true, we
must never let any one know how we feel
it," and her lips quivered. Fortunately,
no one knows we are actually engaged. II
it is not true"
sit seems to come very direct" said
Mrs. Belknap, as she drew her daughter
in a close, motherly embrace. Mrs. Saw,
yer is terrible gossip and busybody, but
never knew her to be guilty of absolute
falsehood"
Mrs. Kitely is very intimate with Mrs
Seymour. l have heard Fred say they
were schoolmates. So it is quite natura
for her to be telling Mrs. Kitely, and speal
Of something else when Mrs. Sawyer wen
in"
81 can scarcely believe it of Fred" sale
Mrs. Belknap.
"Nor l. And Belle too, who has beer
my friend so long, and her only interest il
Fred, seemed to be in his love for me. Oh
mother 1 can't believe it,
In the meantime the story was spreadin,
from house to house, gaining little here
little there, as it was repeated Mrs
Gray had seen Fred Seymour going in tn
direction of the depot at halfpast seven
and it did not seem TO occur to the gossip