The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-10-18

""J toA Joo W. So eaao ooh AoA ea GA
planstion ?"
"No, can't do that" replied Mrs.
Jones, quickly. 81 am willing to bear
undeserved contempt, and unjust CEN
sure, but [ 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 were imagined, but none seem
ed long satisfactory. At last she re-
menbered having spoken pretty freely
about the lady, to a certain individual
who was not remarkable for his discre-
ton.
"That's itl'' 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 q
burning glow suffused her cheek.
"Isn't it too bad that words, spoken in
confidence, should have been repeated q!
I 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 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 tongues"
"You've heard her talk about Mrs.
Todd2"
"I don't remember, now"
CT 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 hesitsted to say so. There Is
not the least doubt in my mind that
Mrs. Todd has heard something"
"Perhaps 80. 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.
Todd9" 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. g It surely cannot be
sol"
"Tbeie is not the least doubt of it. I
had it from a source that cannot be
doubted"
"How in the world did you hear it2"
"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 evento
speak to herr"
Certainly I do. 1t happened a 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 III the matter at all. 1t was her
misfortune, not her fault.
$50 I think, In fact, I 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,
anct OF Mrs. Todd.
Thus matters stood, whom mutual
friend, who wished to do honor to some
visitors from a neighboring city, sent
ont invitations for party. Before
these invitations were dispatched, it was
seriously debated whether it would do
to invi 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.
elf I thought Mrs. Todd would be
there I am sure 1 wouldn't CO." said
Mrs. Jones, ON receiving her card OF
invitation.
"I hardly think that would be acting
wisely" replied her husband. "You
are not conscious of. having wronged
Mrs. Todd. Why, then, should you
shun her p
"But it isso unpleasantto meet per
son with whom you have been 80 long
innate, who refuses to speak to you.
"No doubt it is. Still we ought not
to go out of our way to shun that per
son. Let us, while we do not attempt
to interfere with the liberties of others,
be free ourselves. Were 1 in your place,
l would not move an inch to keep out of
her way"
81 have not yonr firmness. I wish I
had. 1t was only yesterday that I
crossed the street to keep from meeting
her face to face"
"You we're wrong"
"I can't help it. 1t is my weakness.
Three times already have put myself
about to avoid her ; and if could frame
any good excuse for staying away from
this party certainly should do go. l
would give anything for a good sick
headache on Tuesday next u
"I am reilly ashamed OF YOU, Ellen
thought you more of a woman" said
Mr.. Jones.
The night of the party at length came
round. During the whole day preced.
ing it, Mrs. Jones could think of moth
ing but the unpleasant feelings she
would have upon meeting with Mrs.
Todd, and her "heart was in her
mouth" all the time. She wished a
dozen times that it would rain. But her
wishes availed nothing. Not cloud to
be seen in tie clear blue armament from
morning until evening.
"Oh, if I only had some good excuse
for staying at home!" she said, over and
over again, but no goods-e1cuse offered.
Mr.. Jones saw that his wife was In a
very unhappy state of mind, and tried
his best to cheer her, but with little
good effect.
at is no use to talk TO me, can't
help it, )" she replied to hisremonstrance,