Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-12-03
THE MYRTLEyILLE SCANDAL.

1t commenced by Mrs Sawyer's arrival
at Mrs. Muffit's early in the afternoon,
evidently in state of great excitement,
and full of news. With an air of pro-
found mystery she drew Mrs. Mutfit from
sIe wash-tub to the sitting room, and
said to her: What do you think has
happened?"
Now Mrs. Sawyer was well known in
Myrtleyille as "newsy," as one who lost
no opportunity Of collecting the most re-
liable and startling items of information
regarding the sayings and doings of the
Myrtleyillians. Accordingly Mrs Muffit
prepared her mind for tidings of great
moment.
What is it?" she asked, drying her
hands on her apron and settling down in
her chair for good talk"
you won't tell told your"
Never"
Because IL wasn't intended for me to
hear. lust 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 is it," cried Mrs Muffit, as
Mrs Sawyer paused for breath.
Erred Seymour and Bell Granger have
eloped."
"Elopedp'
"Mrs. Seymour was just telling Mrs.
Kitely as / 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" said
the widow.
"No, saw Bell Granger early this
morning, quite early, passing by here in
the direction of the depot, and she had
on her travelling dress, and her water
proof and carried her sachel"
"Going to meet him on the eight
o'clock train. Oh, the sly, deceittul
thing! just 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 Belknap's,"
cried Mrs. Sawyer. " Somebody ought
to break it gently to Susan. Poor girl.
No wonder they went Oft 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
condemned as putting on airs" To
take her down a peg" as Mrs. Sawyer
mentally resolved to do, was vulgar
triumph she enjoyed greatly in antici,
patton. Mrs. Belknap and her daughter
received the news in quiet way, as il
the gossip possessed no special interest
for them, asking no questions and mani.
Testing no chagrin. The story had
grown little bit ON the way, though
Mrs Sawyer had now full description
Of the runaway 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
avery pale face to her mother, asking
pitifully:
"Oh, mamma, can it be true"
81 will go over to Mrs. Seymour's, dear
If You wish it."
mot for the world. If it is true, we
must never let any one know how we
feel it," and her lips quivered. "Fortu'
nately no one knows we are actually en-
gagged. Ii it is not true :,
1t seems to come very direct" SAID
Mrs. Belknap as she drew her daughter
into close motherly embrace. Nrs
Sawyer is terrible gossip and busy BODY
but never knew her to be guilty OF az
absolute falsehood."
Mrs. Kitely is very intimate with
Mrs. Seymour 1 have heard Fred say
they were schoolmates. So 1t is quite
natural for her to be telling Mrs kiteiy
and speaking of something else when
Mrs. Sawyer went in"
~ can scarcely believe 1t OF FRED,
said Mrs. Belkaap.
Nor l. And Belle, too, has been my
friend so long, and her only interest IL
Fred seemed to be his love for me. oh
mother, can't believe it."
In the meantime the story was spread
ing from house to house, gaining little
here and little there, as 1t was repeat
ed. Mrs. Gray had seen Fred Seymour
going in the direction of the depot al
half-past seven, and it did not occur 70
the gossips that. az his business was IN
New York, this waA sight OF daily oc.
curTeD0e. Another had always th0ughi