Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-09-30

that the thing was no joke.
What can be Mrs. Todd's reason
for such conduct ?" he asked, with Sc
rious air.
"I can't tell for my life."
Z" She must have heard some false re-
port about you"
"It's 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
a grave tone of voice. This made mat
ters worse. Mrs. Jones first idea was
that Mrs. Todd 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 husband s
remark suggested other thoughts. 1t
was possible that reports we're in circu-
lation calculated to iniure her social
standing, and Mrs. Todd's conduct to-
ward her was not the result of any
| private pique.
"It was certainly strange and unac-
countable," che said, in reply to her
husbands last remark, speaking in a
thoughtful tone.
"Would it not be the fairest and best
way for you to go and ask for an ex-
planation 2"
"No, 1 can't do that" replied Mrs.
Jones, quickly. 81 am willing to bear
undeserved contempt, aud unjust cen
sure, but L will never humble myself to
any one."
For the rest of the day, Mrs. Jones'
| thoughts all flowed in one channel. A
hundred reasons for Mrs. Todd's strange
conduct we're imagined, but none seem
ed long satisfactory. At last she re-
mer1bered having spoken pretty freely
about the lady, to certain individual
who was not remarkable for his discre-
| tion.
"That's it!' she said, rising from her
chair, and walking nervously across the
| floor of her chamber, backward and for
ward, for two or three times, while a
burning glow suffused her cheek.
"Isn't it too bad that words, spoken in
confidence. should have been repeated !
don't wonder she is offended |"
The idea was retained for time, and
then abandoned for some other that
seemed more plausible. For the next
two weeks Mrs. Jones was very unhap-
py. She did not meet Mrs. Todd dur
ing that period, but she saw a number of
her friends, to whom either she or Mrs.
Lyon had communicated the fact al
ready stated. All declared the conduct
of Mrs. Todd to be unaccountable; but
several, among themselves, had shrewd
suspicious of the real cause. Converse
tions on the subject, like the following,
were held:
81 can tell you what I think about it,
Mrs. s. You know Mrs. Jones is pretty
free with her tongue9"
eyes"
"You've heard her talk about Mrs.
ToddW
81 don't remember, now."
81 have, often. She doesn't spare
her sometimes. You know, yourself,
that Mrs. Todd has queer ways of her
own."
"She is not perfect, certainly"
"Not by great deal; and Mrs. Jones
has not hesitated to say so. There is
not the least doubt in my mind that
Mrs. Todd has heard something"
Perhaps so. But she is very foolish
to take any notice of it,"
$50 I think. But you know she is
touchy."
In some instances, the conversation
assumed grave form:
"Do you know what has struck me in
this matter of Mrs. Jones and Mrs.
Todd2" says one scandal loving person
age to another, whose taste ran parallel
with her own.
"No. What is it 2" eagerly asks the
auditor.
81 will tell you. But you mustn't
speak of it for your life.'
"Never fear me.
The communication is made in deep
whisper.
"Bless me !" exclaims the recipient
of the secret. cit surely cannot be
sol"
"Tbele is not the least doubt of it. I
had it from source that cannot be
doubted"
"How in the world did you hear it Y''
GO In way not dreamed of by Mrs.
Jones'"
"No doubt Mrs. Todd has heard the
same"
"Not the least in the world. But
don't you think her to blame in refusing
to keep Mrs. Jones company, or even to
speak to her 2"
Certainly 1 do. 1t happened long
time ago. and no doubt poor Mrs. Jones
has suffered enough on account of it.
Indeed, don't think she ought to be
blamed in the matter at all. It was her
misfortune, not her fault"
$50 think, In fact, / believe she
is just as worthy of respect and kind
ness as Mrs. Todd"
"No doubt of it in the world and
from me she shall always receive it. "
"And from me Also"
In this way the circle spread, SO that
before two weeks had elapsed there were
no less than twenty different notions
held about Mrs. Todd's behavior to
Mrs. Jones. Some talked very seriously
about cutting the acquaintance of Mrs
Jones also, while others took her side
and threatened to give up the acquaint-
ance of Mrs. Todd.
Thus matters stood, when mutual
| friend, who wished to do honor to some
visitors from neighboring city, sent
out invitations for party. Before
these invitations were dispatched, it was
seriously debated whether it would do
to invie both Mrs. Jones and Mrs.
Todd, considering how matters stood
between them. The decision was in
favor of letting them take care of their
own difficulties.
eff I thought Mrs. Todd would be
there I am sure L wouldn't go" said
Mrs. Jones, on receiving her card of
invitation.
:" I hardly think that would be acting