Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-06-06
sgTRANsIENT BILLs-oAsH.

''M,ss Addertongne," said Juliet, drawing
herself up, and fixing her blue eyes with Dig
nifty on the malicious old gossip, spray BE-
silent. Ii is not your place 10 preach dis
course to me, nor dictate in matters which
pertain to mo alOne. Will you excuse me If
ask you to leave me r'
20. certainly, certainly, said Miss Adder
tongue, rather discOncerted, but venomous rs
ever. "But il amt no use trying 10 conceal
the truth. He's played you mean trick,
and jilted you, just tor his own amusement,
when he had a wife living already, and"
''But to Miss AddertOngue's AmaEement
che was left standing alone IN the porch
Juliet Reed had quietly walked into the house
and shut the door IN her face.
"What does il mean Z" Juliet asked her.
self, in a sort of dizzy beWilderment. "Hs
was going aWay-he has not written for q
week. o. surely, surely it cannot bo pos.
sible that there is the faintest shadow of truth
in this mOnetrous story" Aud with her
flushed face buried in her hands, Julie, Reed
tried to fancy what the world would be with
Harold HAzel's love and constanoy out of it.
Il told you so" croaked Miss Adder
tongue, dragging the widow Markham to the
window an hour or so later. That's him A.
setting back in the carriage. as proud as Lu>
cifer. And that's the lady with the yellow
silk parAsol, covered with white lace. Now
will you say was mistaken 7"
"Denr, dear" said Mrs. Markham, adjust
ing her spectacles on the bridge of her nose.
al couldn't have believed it, if hadn't seen
it with my own eyes
"And they're driving straight TO Farmer
Reeds" added Miss Addertongue. diligently
fa'teninG her nose against tho window panes.
"We we'll ia clear she's charged him with
it. and he's determined to braZen il out
Get your hat. Mrs Markham. Let's walk
that way, | need a skein of darning cotton,
and the way TO Perkins store lays right past
Mr.. Reeds door"
But to Miss Addertongue's infiuite aston,
ishment-perhaps we may add disappoint-
ment-there was no sound of violent histories,
no sign of family dissention or trAgical de-
bate, as they sauntered by the farm house
gate.
"My !" calculated Miss Felicia, "if they
nin't all A-setting together the porch, a.
loving as so many turtle>doves. Well, now
shall believe that Juliet Reed is going over to
Mormonism, and believes in a mans having
many wives as he pleases
Juliet Reed, however. had seen them as
they skunk by. and rising from her scat beck
oned them to advance.
"Mrs. Mark ham" said she, "Rnd Miss Adj
dertonGue, allow me to present to you Mr..
Hazel"
Tho widow dropped little courtesy.
Miss Felicia st fly inclined her head.
Also Mrs. HazcI." added Juliet.
30 !" said Miss Addertongue.
"My stepmOther," said Mr.. HSzsl mis-
chievously, Just returned from visit 10
Paris. My father will be with us nexi week"
20 !" said Miss Addertongue, b6t Il was
with different sort Of accent on tte monO-
syllable
"ADd," he added, gravOly. ''if the, ladies
of MilIvIIe want any moro information as to
our private family affairs they have only to
let me know, and shall be happy to supply
| it."
Mrs. Markham turned very red.
Miss Addertongue coughed uneasily.
Nor did the low sound of the laughter OF
Juliet and tho pretty matron at all serve to
render them less embarrassed, as they shuffled
away home.
"Felicia Addertougue," said Mrs. Mark
ham, you've made fool Of yourself. and Of
me. too. And after this I'm not going to
believe a word of your gossip"
And Miss Addertongue had not word to
say in self defence.