The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-10-18
Ridiculous u
"Isn't it z"
81 don't believe word of it,"
"Nor I. only told you what I had

Ridiculous p
"Isn't it :"
81 don't believe word of it,"
"Nor I. I only told you what had
heard"
"There must be some other reason.
"And doubtless is."
Meantime Mrs. Jones found q seat In
acorner, where she ensconced herself,
with the determination of keeping he,
place during the evening, that she
might avoid the unpleasantness of com
ing in contact with Mrs. Todd. All this,
of course, was very weak in Mrs.
Jones but she had no independent
strength of character, it must be owned.
"Poor Mrs. Jones How cut down
she looks" remarked lady who knew
all about the trouble that existed. 81
really feel sorry for her."
"She takes it great deal too much
to heart" was the reply. "Mrs. Todd
might refuse to speak to me dozen
times if she liked, I wouldn't break my
heart. But where is she 2"
SIN the other room, as gay and lively
as ever saw her. See, there she is !"
"Yes, see her. Hark You can
hear her laugh to here. I must con.
fess I don't like it. I don't believe
she has any heart. She must know
that Mrs. Jones is hurt at what she has
DONE"
"Of course she does, and her manner
is meant to insult her.
Seeing the disturbed and depressed
state of Mrs. Jones mind, two or three
of her friends held consultation on the
subject, and finally agreed that they
would ask Mrs. Todd, who seemed pur-
posely to avoid Mrs. Jones, why she
acted toward her as she did. But be-
fore they could find an opportunity OF
doing so, a messenger came to say that
one of Mrs. Todd's. children had been
taken suddenly i'll. The lady withdrew
Immediately.
Mrs. Jones breathed more freely on
learning that Mrs. Todd had gone home.
Soon after she emerged from her place
in the corner, and mingled with the
company during the rest of the evening.
On the following morning, three Ia
dies, personal friends of Mrs. Todd, met
by appointment, and entered into grave
consultation. They had undertaken to
find out the cause of offense that had oc-
Cured of 80 serious a character as to
lead Mrs. Todd to adopt 80 rigid a
course toward Mrs. jones, and if posi-
BILE to reconcile matters.
"The sickness of her child will be a
good excuse for us to call upon her, "
said one. 6" If he is better, We can in
troduce the matter judiciously."
"I wonder how she will tabe it r
suggested another.
Kindly, I hope" remarked the
"Suppose she does not 2"
"We have done our duty.
"True. And that consciousness
ought to be enough for u.s."
"Sbe is a very proud woman, and my
fear is that, having taken an open and
decided stand, she will yield to neither
argument nor persuasion. Last night
she over acted her part. While she care
fully avoided coming in contact with
Mrs. Jones, she was often near her, and
on such occasions talked and laughed
louder than at any other time. I thought,
once or twice, that there was something
of malice exhibited in her conduct"
To this one of the three assented. But
the other thought differently. After
some other discussion, and al Intellectual
attempt to decide which of them should
open the matter to Mrs. Todd, the ladies
sailed forth on their errand of peace.
They found Mrs. Todd at home, who re-
ceived them in her usual agreeable
manner.
"How is your little boya" was the
first question, after the first salutatlons
we're over.
"Much better than he was last night,
I thank you. Indeed, he is quite as well
as usual"
"Waat was the matter with him, Mrs.
Todd ?"
"It j. hard to tell. I found him with
high fever when got home. But it
subsidel in the course Of IN hour. Chll-
dren often have such attacks. They
will be quite sick one hour, and appar-
emily well the next"
"I am very glad to .lk5ar that it is
nothing serious" said one of the ladies &.
81 was afraid it might have been Group
or something as bad" ., " ..-
There was pause,
at seemed little unfortunate" re-
marked one of the visitors, for it de.
prived you of an evenings enjoyment. "
eyes, it does appear so, but no doubt
it is all right. 1 suppose you had avery
pleasant time2" ee...,s
"Oh, yes. Delightful"
CT hadn't seen half my friends when
I was summoned away. Was Mrs. Will
liams there2"
"Oh, yes
"And Mrs. Gray9"
eyes"
"And Mrs. Elder9"
eyes"
81 didn't see either of them"
"Not word about Mrs. Jones,
thought the ladies.
A light running conversation, some
thing after this style, was kept up, with
occasional pauses, for half an hour,
when one of the visitors determined to
come to the point.
"Mrs. Todd-a-hem p she said in
one of the pauses that always take place
in uninteresting conversation.
The lady's tone of voice had 30
changed from what it was few mo-
mepts before, that Mrs. Todd looked up
at her with surprise. No less changed
was tie lady 8 countenance. Mrs. Todd
was mystiied. But she was not long in
doubt.
"A.heml Mrs. Todd, we have come
to-to-as Observation-Disclosures
ask you -
The lady's voice broke down; but two
or three "a-hems |" partially restored it,
and she went on:
"To ask why you refused TOTO
speak to Mrs. Jones2"
Why 7 refused to speak to Mrs
Jones2" said Mrs. Todd, her cheek
flushing.
eyes. Mrs. Jones is very much hurt
about it, and says she cannot imagine
the reason. It has made her very un
happy. As mutual friends, We have
thought it our duty to try and reconcile
matters. 1t is on this errand that we
have called this morning. Mrs. Jones
says she met you for the last time abou
two weeks ago, and that you refused te
speak to her. May we ask the reasona'
"You may, certainly" WAS calmly re
piled.
Expectation was now on tiptoe.
"What, then, was the reason 2"
"I did not see her"
"Why9 Didn't you refuse to speal