Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-09-02
fair is but child's nonsense, msgnihed
nv a very tinid nervOus woman

ny very tlullu, ucINOuS WOAudls
!. And with this neighborly speech up
on her lips, Mrs. Vernon departed. This
was by no means the last of Mrs. Lind
sey's troubles that evening, for her lord
and master came home at nine o'clock
in towering passion about the same
matter. 1t appeared that on being in
terrogated by Mr.. Frank Williams as TO
the cause and occasion of the offense he
appeared to have given people in gem
oral, his friend, MIR. Maxwell, had told
him that it was something which came
through Mrs. Lindsey, which she had
heard from her husband; and what the
something - was, she nor nobody else
knew. Convinced that there was some
mistake, for Mr.. Williams was not apt to
suspect his friends, and Mr.. Lindsey he
knew was his friend, he FASTENED to that
gentleman and asked an explanation.
For moment Mr.. Lindsey was be-
wildered he was as ignorant as Will
liams himself; but thought of Maggie
and his wife's supsicions on that even
ing flashed across him.
"My dear fellow" he exclaimed, 81
am distressed that this has happened.
L understand perfectly what it is ; all
nonsense-silly women, silly women"
And he raced home, leaving his audi
tor, if possible, more astonished than
he had found him. Mr.. Lindsey was
really furious, and his meditations on
the way home as to all Williams had
suffered in consequence Of his wife's
gossip did not serve to calm his feelings.
"And so, my DEAR" said he, as he
dashed into the room, "you've been
making pretty dish for yourself"
Mrs. Lindsey heard in silence, while
her spouse walked up and down the
room wondering how women came to be
such fools and his wife such q particular
one, and concluded by striding up to
his terrified helpmate and asking her
"what he was to say to Mr.. Williams
for all her confounded nonsense 2"
"But he has done something dread
full; you know he has," she sobbed, at
length, by way of palliation.
What do you mean3" said her hus.
band, sternly.
" You told Mr.. Day, YOURSELF" she
continued, in an agony of tears.
"Yes, told him., replied her hus-
band, "that Mr.. Rennett's silly daugh-
ter chose to fall in love with Williams,
and as her fame evidently was not re-
turned, her father was very glad of an
opportunity of getting him out of the
way before the girl made fool of her.
self. This was contided to me as a Sc
cret, which was the reason I did not tel
you at the time, for l know very well
what a secret is in the hands of O
woman-the whole race-even my little
Maggie can keep nothing to herself"
In spite Of this taunting speech, his
tone softened, and Mrs. Lindsey gained
courage.
81 am sorry, my DEAR" said she,
"that have made SO much mischief
but there is no use groaning over il
now. I'll endeavor to mend it as far as
possible. I'll tell everybody that it was
n mistake OF mine, and take the blame
on my own unfortunate shoulders; be
sides saying everything necessary and
appropriate to Mr.. Williams himself"
A week from that night did Mrs. Lind
soy make as many graceful and apollo
getic remarks as she could well muster
to Mr.. Fl ank Williams, and little Mag
gle shower down kisses and tears in
Vulnerable on his checks. Ho went from
there to party where all the young
ladies in town lavished ON him theil
brightest smiles and most particular at
tontions; not emitting even Miss Ger
trude Vernon, whose lovely blue eyes
followed him with such a bewitching
| and bewildorinp interest that he cOulC
not forbear whispering:
"You'n not refuse to permit me tc
escort you home9"
Certainly not, Mr.. Williams" sh,
replied, with blush and smile.
"Never, never, will repeat anything
that L hear again." was Mrs. Lindsey
concluding exclamation that evening !
particularly to that good-for-nothint
Mrs. Vernon" she added, mentally.