The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-10-18
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
BY T. 8. ARTHUR.

"Did you see that3" said Mrs. Jones
to her friend Mrs, Lyon, with whom she
was walking.
"See what2"
"Why, that Mrs. Todd didn't speak to
me-"
"No. thought she spoke to you as
we'll as to mo-"
"Indeed, then, she Didn't.
care you sure?"
."Sure? Can | believe my own eyes {?
She'nodded and spoke to you; but she
didn't rs much as look at me-"
"What in the world can be the reason,
Mrs jones2"
L" Dear knows |"
"Yon certainly must be mistaken
Mrs. Todd would not refuse to speak to
one of her old friends in the street."
"Humph ! I don't know. She's
rather queer sometimes. She's taken
milf at something, suppose, and means
to cut my acquaintance. But shall not
distress myself about it. She isn't all
the world"
"H.ve you done anything likely to
offend her 2" asked Mrs. Lyon.
'.Me2" returned her companion; emo,
not that I am aware of. But certain
people are always on the look out for
something or other wrong, and Mrs.
Todd is Just one of that kind"
81 never thought so, Mrs. Jones'"
"She is, then. know her very we'll. -
slim sorry, said Mr.. Lyon, evincing
a good deal of concern. Hadn't you
better 60 to her in plain, straight-for-
ward way, and ask the reason of her con-
duct This would make all be clear in
a moment"
"G, to her, Mrs. Lyon!" exclaimed
Mrs. Jones, with ill-concealed indigna-
ton. "No, indeed-that I will not.
Do you think I would demean myself 80
much2"
81 am not so sure that by SO doing
Won would demean yourself as you say.
There is, clearly, some mistake, and such
a course would correct all false impress
sions. But it was only a suggestion,
thrown out for your consideration.
"Oh, no, Mrs. Lyon |" replied Mrs.
Jones, with warmth. "You never find
me criuging to people, and begging to
know why they are pleased to cut my ac-
quaintance. l feel quite as good as any
body, and consider myself of as much
consequence as the proudest and best
Mrs. Todd needn't think care for her
acquaintance. l never valued it o pin.
Notwithstanding Mrs. Jones perfect
indifference toward Mrs. Todd, she con-
tinued TO talk about her pretty much
after this fashion, growing more excited
all the while, during the next half hour,
at the close of which time the ladies
parted company.
When Mrs. Jones met her husband at
the dinner table, she related vi had
happened during the morninn a Mr..
Jones was disposed to treat th tter
lightly, but his wife soon satis him
that the thing was no joke.
t'What can be Mrs. Todd q feason
for such conduct?" he asked, with Sc
rious air.
81 can't tell for my life"
"She must have heard some false re-
port about you"
cts as likely as not. But what can
it be?"
Something serious to cause her to
take SO decided stand as she seems to
have DONE" -, .-- .-.- .. .
Mr.. Jones looked grave and spoke in
q grave tone OF voice. This made mat
tGrs worse. Mrs. Jones first idea was
that Mrs. Tod had heard something
that she might have said about her; and
that wounded pride had caused her to
do as she had done. But her husbands
remark suggested other thoughts. It
was possible that reports were in circn.
lation calculated to iniure her social
standing, and Mrs. Todd's conduct to-
ward her was not the result of any
private pigue.