Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-28

THE MiRrLEvILLE SCANDAL.

Il commenced by Mrs Sawyer's arrival
al Mrs. Muilit's early in the afternoon.
evidently in state of great excitement,
and full of news. With an air of profound
mystery, she drew Mrs Mufiit from the
washtub to the sitting room, and said to
her: .'What do you think has happened"
Now Mrs. Sawyer was well known in
Myrtleville 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
Myrtlevilleians. Accordingly Mrs. Muffit
prepared her mind tor tidings of great mo-
inent.
"What is it9' she asked, drying her
hands on her apron and settling down in
her chair for "a good talk"
"You won't 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 is it ?" cried Mrs. Muflit, as
Mrs. Sawyer paused for breath.
Fred Seymour and Bell Granger have
cloped.''
'Eloped!''
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. Multi
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, aud 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, decetiul 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 Bclknap."
There! l'll go right over to Belk-
maps" cried Mrs Sawyer. Somebody
ought to break it gently to 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 IA style
of refinement that Myrtlevile condemned
as quitting on airs To ''take her down
a peg" as Mrs. Sawyer mentally resolved
to do, was a vulgar triumph she enjoyed
greatly in anticipation. 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 bit on its way,
though; Mrs. Sawyer had now full de-
scription 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 very
pale face to her mother, asking pitifully
''Oh, mamma, can it be true ~
81 will 90 over to Mrs. Seymour's dear
If you wish it,
mot for the world. II 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
If it is not true"
at seems to come very direct" said
Mrs. Belknap as she drew her daughter
into a close mo.herly embrace. Mrs.
Sawyer is terrible gossip and busybody,
but never knew her to be guilty OF an
absolute falsehood."
Mrs. kitely is very intimate with Mrs.
Seymour. | have heard Fred say they
were schoolmates. So it is quite natural
for her to be telling Mrs. ktely, and
speaking of something else when Mrs.
Sawyer went in"
II can scarcely believe it of Fred" said
Mrs. Belknap.
.NorI. And Belle, too. has been my
friend SO long, and her only interest in
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 it was repeated.
Mrs. Gray had seen Fred Seymour going
in the direction of the depot at half past
seven, and it did not occur to the gossips
that, as his business was in New York.
this was sight of daily occurrence. An
other had always thought that Miss Gran
gers modest manners covered deceitlul
heart. Some pitied Susy, and some con-
graduated her upon her escape.
The young people were discovered 10
have every fault the imagination of their
accusers could summon up, and Mrs. Bel.
KNAPP and Mrs. Seymour shared the odium
and pity with Mrs. Granger, who certain
~ should have attended more strictly to
ne education oi her daughter, ard given
her more careful training.
Every mother 10 Myrtleyille was pious
Y thankful that ID was not her daughter
Tho had 50 disgraced herself and the
j saxhsers, az general rule, secretly
Wished they had Miss Changers chance,
GT Fred Seymour was bean In Myrtle
He, and his mother was known to have
a property ffom her hate husband that
w@aia make the young man independe-
fcnt when ia course Of nature il reverted
20 hi1n. He was engaged on one OF the
baby evening" papers Of the great melropo-
4 and considered talented and upright a
man who 10 tisne would make position Of
honor. Ills attention TO susy Belknap,
though ihelact OF their engagement had not
Vet been published. had been TO marked To
escape the notice of '.Ye- % prying a. those.
losessed by til" good people al MyrIeyile,
and his incon,tancy Wa Il matter Of mar
vel. as Susy was a maiden whom INV man
might he prOul 10 win