Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-06-06
MIsCELLANE:ouss S.
THE GOSsIP's MISTAKE.

"SENGAGED to young Hszel, is she?" said
~ Miss Felicia AdderiOngue, sharply
"Going to be a Gue lady, Ell? And | can
remember the time when she was a barefooted
glrl, picking raSpberries in her fathers field"
''She has grown up very pretty" said
gentle widow Markham in her quiet way
Engaged to young Hazel, is she 7" replied
Miss Addertougue. with vicious look in her
coal black eyes, 81 can put spoke in her
wheel. think. Tall young chap, amt he,
with black hair curling close to his head, and
mu>tachc as black as ink ?'
eyes" said wondering Mrs Markham, 81
didn't know you knew him"
o, know him" said Miss Addertongue,
with toss of the head; land know one or
TWO things about him that Millville society
didn't seem to be up in"
"YOu don't say SOP" said the widow
curiously.
81 do say so, and 1 mean it. You sec,
Mrs. Markham, have ways and means of get,
ting behind the scenes that no one else has.
My sister Phnbe Ann, that married Slater
Iy, and was left widow six years ago come
next March, she's housekeeper at tho Il
Hotel And l was visiting her there last
month, and that's how l came to see Mr.
Hazel"
"My!" cjscuIated the widow.
"With my own eyes," said Miss Adder
tongue, rolling up those organs until there
was some danger OF those organs retiring al
together into her head, Harold Hazel, tall
and dark. aud always full of fun?"
"Exactly." cried Mrs Markhsm.
g He was there, remarked Miss Felicia"
with his wife"
His wife ~ echoed Mrs Markham. "It
cant he possible -
GGRut - - ,bOurb .oso.Eo1 M:o.
with gloomy relish. 81 saw 'em myself, |
heard him introduce her as Mrs Hazel and
II somebody as how she was a great fairess.
Older than him, but stil not what you'd call
an old maid, though of course ne married her
for her money. No kind of doubt about that
Such diamonds she wOre-aDd such silk
gowns and over skirts of point lace as you
might cover over with bank notes, aud still
not come up to their value }"
But" cried out bewiIdered Mrs. Mark
ham. "he's engaged to Juliet Reed, for I've
seen the engagement ring she wears
And he's married TO tho bIack>eyed lady"
said Miss Addertongue, with rqu.l emphasis
'bocSu~e saw the wedding ring"
"Thcn what does he mean ny masking love
to Farmer Reeds daughter ?" indignantly
cried Mrs Markham.
"Humph !' said Miss Felicia, pursing up
her lips viciously. That's a question | can I
! pretend to answer What do men mean gen
orally by their prauks? Just to have a little
fun, suppose, and auuse themselves for the
time being"
dts cruel, wicked thing" said Mrs
Markham; land Juliet is such pretty girl !"
Tastes differ" said Miss Addertongue.-
'FUr my part l mover iancied them big blue
| eyes, and hair as looks as if il had been
] cd T1,lia 81, g. II.
/ the rest Of the MiIlviIIe folks"
/ ''Some one ought to tell her." said Mrs
! Markham.
"of course they ought" said Miss Adder
/ tongue
Il couldn't do it," said the geutle-hearted
widow.
81 could" said Miss Addertongue. 81
can mostly do anything when feel it to be
my Christian du'y."
Pretty Juliet Reed was sewing in the cool
porch. where the shadows of the great elm
trees made green oasis in the desert Of sun
shine around the quaint, ons.storied farm
house. She grew pale as death as Miss Ad-
| dertongue uufOlded her tale.
"Harold married - she cried "Harold
with another wife? do not believe it. Il
is false"
Il saw her with my own eyes," said Mis-.
Fehcls, secretly enjoying Juiiets agoDized
terror "a great heiress-and of course ,
man will strike for money"
But it must be a mistake" persisted
juliet. the color coming and going on hel
face like rosy Aurora BoreaIis.
"Alas !" groaned Miss Addertongue. 'it il
but too true. Of course it is great disap
Po'u'ment to you. Juliet Reed, but maybe i'll
meant by Allwize Provideuce as q lesson t,
lower your pride, and teach you that we're al
pcor Horms, and