The Van Buren press., 1876-09-19

spoken Of it to Mrs. Fisher, but she was
sure she had not told--she would go and
see her without delay
"But she has though rerli ed Mrs
Lindsey, with the energy ofdespair .she
told her cousin Mrs. Wells, and Mrs
Wells told Mrs. Douglass, and Mrs
Douglass told Mrs. Davis. and it is ull
over town.
Nothing except Mrs. Lindsey S constcr-
nation could equal drs. Vernons. But
a drowning man catches nj a straw
There may be some mistake she
replied, "at all events III 60 and see
Mrs, Fishsr this afternoon.
4" How could you. Mrs. Fisher began
Mrs Vernon" tell that affair about Mr..
W illiams, which l connded To you, under
the stlictest injunctions of secrecy y
Ala Is-A---i-~heu TIP - - SeH'.-.
down on the floor. and out OF the window
aud gathering courage. doubtless, from
the survey OF these prospects, said, III
taltering tone, " that she had only told
cousin Mrs Wells, who was very pru
dent, and never mentioned anything
Bat she has not been very prudent
this time" answered Mrs. Vernon, with
no little acrimony, p" for she has told Mrs.
Douglass, who has told Mrs, Davis, who
has Informed the whole town, imagine,
tor everybody knows it.
Not half al hour elapsed before Mrs.
Fishers hat and cloak were on, and she
was in Mrs. Wells parlor,
Lucy, she exclaimed, when she met
her cousin, :" how could you tell nnybo-
dy what told you about Mr.. Williams
certainly thought that in mentioning a
thing to you was saie-lwould no soon
er have trusted it to dumb woman
what possessed you to tell this p
Il dd not exactly tell it, answered
Mrs Wells, with crimson face, or
rather, had no idea OF betraying conf
dence. Mrs Douglass said something,
from which had no doubt that she knew
all about it AID answering her with this
idea, of course, very ihnocently, made in
some measure the disclosure. then con-
cluded would be more prudent to tell
her all and bind her to secrecy
Which she has not kept said Mrs,
Fisher, +" for she has told Mrs. Davis,
W w uuS tOlu VIC NhoiS Oo"ht suSliSSht
for everybody knows it, and it is making
u great deal Of trouble"
:" am very sorry answered Mrs.
Wells. "What can | dol Shall go
and see Mrs Douglass 7"
" Yes, by all means put on your things
now, end then come to our house and tell
me what she says replied her cousin.
N.ll yitt,il aud II
took her some time to breach the subject.
"You remember what told you about
Mr.. Williams T. she said, at length, in o
low, confused tone.
=. Yes answered Mrs. Douglass, with the
most composed air in the world
did you ever tell any one--Mrs. Da-
Wis 7" stammered poor Mrs. Wells, feel
ing like the victim herself.
No! answered Mrs. Douglass, "Mrs.
Davis told me-"
"Is it possible p said her auditor, in
a delighted surprise. How did she hear
it I"
1t was the same story; it came from
Mrs, Lindsey answered her friend
" She told Mrs. Allan, who told Mrs
Johnson, who told Mrs, White, who told
Mrs Davis. aud she told me"
indecd!' said Mrs. Wells. with an
astonIshed expression Of countenanoe
peculiar to harself lndeed!'
What racing and chasing was there
that livelong afternoon about " that at.
fair of Mr., Frank Williams. w hat a
commotion in eight or ten feminine hearts
married ones too) of which he was
most unwlttlngly the cause. Purple,
brown and stone colored cloaks were
lodging each other in all directions, and
after explanations and re explanations
by scores, verybody shook their hands
free OF the matter, voting that Mrs. Lind
scy was the guilty person, on whom ret
should fall. She unfortunate
woman) was sitting quietly at home in
pleasing ignorance OF all this colnmotion
when Mis- Vernon, with peculiarly
pursed up expression of countenance,
came in Never since the memory of man
or woman either, had her friend and
ncighbor looked 50 awfully solemn and
rigid!y severe Mrs. Lindsey had not
heart or voice enough to bid her good
evening" she merely motioned her to
seat, aud gazing steadtastly at her, waited
for her 10 begin.
IL am surprised, Mrs. Lindsey at
length said the lady, lat your attacking
me with making public that story about
Mr.. Williams, when you have Informed
every body else of it, as well as myself"
oJll, Mrs. Lindsey said nothing, she
merely looked for further explanation.
You told Mrs. Allan said her com
paniun, in reply to the look, land she
told Mrs. johnson, and
Il told Mrs. Allan p gasped Mrs.
Lindsey, at length; II never told any
Jne but you"
What! not one Sunday, coming from
church y A sudden light glanced upon
Door Mrs Lindsey.
But | did not tell her anything an
,wercd she; | merely limited at some
hing
We'll that is the amount of it," said
lcr friend "it is Il hint at something
With all of us, and none of us know what
t means and |, for my part, am inclined
o think the whole affair is but child
nonsense, magnitied by very timd, ner
'ons woman
And with this neighborly speech upon
Ter lips, Mrs Vernon departed. This
vas by no means the last of Mrs. Lind,
icy s troubles that evening, for her lord
md master came home at nine O'Clock, III !