The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-03-28
THE MYRTLEyILLE SCANDAL.

at Mrs. Muffit's early in the forenoon, evil
IDENTITY in a 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
Myrtlevile as newsy," as one who lost
no opportunities of collecting the most
reliable and startling items of information
regarding the sayings and doings of the
Myrtlevilians. Accordingly Mrs. Muffit
prepared her mind for tidings of moment.
"What is it % asked she, drying her
hands on her apron and settling down in
chair for "good talk
"You'll not tell told you ~
"Never."
because it wasn't intended for me to
hear. just happened over to Mrs. Sey-
mour's this morning, and Mrs. Kitely was
in there, and the door stood open, and |
couldn't but hear what was said, you
know, and"
"But what was it?' cried Mrs. Muffit,
as Mrs. Sawyer paused for breath.
Erred Seymour and Belle Granger
have eloped.'
"Elopedn ~
"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. Mutfit,
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, passed 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 go right over to Belk-
maps" 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 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 quitting on airs To take
her "down peg" as Mrs. Sawyer men
tally resolved to do, was a vulgar triumph
she enjoyed greatly in anticipation. But
it was in anticipation only. Mrs. Belknap
and her daughter received the news in
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 full description of the run
away brides costume, and the train was
specified upon which the young couple
travelled.
But after Mrs. Sawyer had gone to lake
her news elsewhere, Susy turned very
pale face to her mother, asking pitfully:
"Oh, mamma, can it be true -
81 will go over to Mrs. Seymour's, dear,
if you 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. q" Fortunately,
no one knows we are actually engaged.
| If it is not true"
| 1t seems to come very direct" said
Mrs. Belknap, as she drew her daughter in
a close, motherly embrace. Mrs. Sawyer
is terrible gossip and busybody, but l
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 natural
for her to be telling Mrs Kitely, and speak
of something else when Mrs. Sawyer went
in"
al can scarcely believe it of Fred,' said
Mrs. Belknap.
| "Nor l. And Belle too, who has been
my friend so long and her only interest in
Fred, seemed to be in his love for me. Oh,
mother. can't believe it.
In the meantime the story was spreading
from house to house, gaining "A little here,
a little there, as it was repeated. Mrs.
Gray had seen Fred Seymour going in the
direction of the depot at halfpas seven,
and it did not seem to occur to the gossps
that, as his business was in New York,
this was sight of daily occurrence
Another one had always thought Miss
| Grainger's quiet, modest manners, covered
deceitful heart. Some pitied Susy, some
congratulated her upon her escape. The
young couple were discovered to have
every fault the Imagination of their accus-
ers could Summon up, and Mrs. Belknap
and Mrs. Seymour shared the odium and
pity with Mrs. Granger, who certainly
education of her daughter, and given more
careful moral training.
Every mother in Myrtlevile was piously
thankful it was not her daughter who had
so disgraced herself and the daughters, as
general rule, secretly wished they had
had Miss Grainger's chance, for Fred Sey
mour was decidedly a beau in Myrtleville
and his mother was known to have a pro-
| perty from her late husband that would
make the young man Independent, when in
the course of nature, it reverted to him.
He was engaged on one of the daily even
ing papers of the great metropolis, and
| considered talented and upright, q man