Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-08-05
HOW THEY JUDGED HER.
BY HELEN LUQUEER.

Be thou as chaste as ice, pure as snow,
Thou shalt not escape Calamny.
The old red brick house in the suburbs Of
the thrifty village of Blainville was rented at
last 1t was too pretentious and high priced
for any ordinary tenants and consequently
had been closed for months after the death
of its owner, with the words " To Lett pasted
upon the handsome door-post until they had
grown battered and illegble from long ex.
posure to the elements.
The new occupants were a gentleman by
the name of Broughton, his invalid wife and
young physician whom the inhabitants of
the village hailed as great acquisition in
that rather unhealthy climate.
VI course every man, woman and child were
on the qui eipe to know all about the new
corners, and the comments were as various and
far from truthful as is usual in such eases
All, however, voted the petite Mrs. Broughton
beauty, as indeed she was She was farer
than lily, with cheeks like the heart of a
rose and eyes with the tint of the sky in
them, while the disease which had truly
marked her foran early grave had given them
an unearthly brightness. And it was no
wonder that the lovely young creature who
revealed every evidence of wealth and re-
tinement should have been held somewhat
in awe by the simple villagers. Neither was
II at all surprising that each word and look
and action should have been canvassed every
where.
will you call upon Mrs. Broughton?"
asked Mrs. Julian of her neighbor, Mrs
Dayton.
"Well, that depends upon circumstances"
was answered with mysterious shake of
the head. 81 have quite concluded that
they are very strange people"
They are at least exclusive" returned
Mrs. Julian. "She rides about the village
street without noticing the people any more
than if they were so many hop-toadsn
hat nav
That is an evidence of good breeding to
see without appearing to do so. But, of
course, you notice how constantly she rides
with that young DR.. Colwell, who came with
them."
"Oh, yes Everybody is talking about
that and how deferential and lover-like he is.
But You know they are city people--came
from Philadelphia, believe-and it may be
The fashion for married ladies to have lovers.
such poor country people we know little
about the ways of the great world"
The ladies separate only to meet the next
day at tea-party given by Mrs. Jones,
where, also, appeared Mrs. Br. Brown
and the minister's wife, Mrs. Bridge both
"racles in the village society. The ostensi-
hle purpose OF this gathering was to settle
me position Mrs. Broughton was to occupy
IN their midst, and if that poor young things
ears didn't burn then there is no truth in the
old adage.
AiN Stru Htl tue SdFutU
walks leaning atfectionately upon the arm
"t DIR. Colwcll, and she had paused to
pluck and fasten flower in his button hole,
ana for which he actually sad the audacity
10 pat her chin! And such a Irritation was
absolutely disgusting, having taken place in
broad daylight at that.
Another declared they had been met driv-
ing IN the open country in the edge OF the
evening, with her head resting lovingly upon
me shoulder of the young and handsome
physician!
Did You ever,'' exclaimed a chorus of
voices, while hands and eyes were raised in
Eloquent protests at such conduct.
food people" interposed the distressed
minister's wife kind, motberly Mrs. Bridge,
@ren ! you rather premature in your con-
usm nation: l,also, have remarked an undue
SHecuon between the lady and the doctor,
bHt she looks 40 lovely and innocent. and her
Ae-oand so calm, unmoyed and even careless
- "hat he must see, that / have concluded
'le aoc,o was nothing less III an her brother"
oh. no, answered Mrs J.CAs IL wish
20 goodness II were so. But Miss Ackley has
nern doing their washing a. they could get
guy one seryanD and she noticed the name OF
oti 'etterline worked upon her beautiful
''Asn' and Mrs, Broughton explained that it