Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-04-11
ScundaII


lase 81 Milford, about thirty-five
miles from Boston, as she longed
for fresh air and quiet scenes, and
doubtless she would have found all
the happiness she sought in the ru-
raj retreat, had not the place been
haunted by that terrible specter-
scandal.
"Have you seen the new arfiv-
al 7" said Mrs. Graves to her neigh
Dor, Mrs. Wood, few days after
the stranger took possession Of
Fern Dell, "a the little place she
had purchased was now called.
A curl of the lip and shruS Of
the shoulders was all the reply
made by Mrs. Wood; but in the
gestures Mrs. Graves saw, or sup
posed she saw, a sufficient reason
for stunning the acquaintance Of
the stranger.
Mrs. Graves, who was very jeal-
Gus and suspicious, translated the
language in her own way.
IL have no doubt" she said to
her husband, "that she had bad
reputation in the city. She has
come here dressed in deep mourn
ing, but who knows whether she
ever had a husband or mott And
if she had, her wearing black is no
sign he's dead, in my opinion"
The next day quite crowd gath
cred in the store of Mr.. Graves,
waiting for the arrival of the mail,
which was due about this hour.
The stranger came in to make
some triaing purchases, and was
stared at by the people, IS strang-
ers always are in small villages.
After she left tho store, some re-
marks wero make about her lady
like appearance.
eyes, she appears enough like
lady" said Mr.. Graves, "but my
wife thinks her reputation is none
of the best"
Customers entering,nothing more
was said at that time, but the FIRE
of scandal was kindled--the story
spread rapidly, each one telling it
in their own way, until there was
not a person in the village hut had
heard the ruror and believed it to
be true.
Days and weeks passed away,
and the inmate of Fern Dell felt
that for some reason she was look
ed upon with suspicion and dislike.
There was no possibility, moth
ing said or done for which she could
demand an explanation.
Every day seemed to increase
the avoidance CT her neighbors ;
and she, noticing this, ceased MAX
ing overtures toward an acquaint-
ance with them, sending to the city
for her household supplies, and
never coming IN contact with any
save at chuNh, and even here she
generally found whole seat at he.
disposal.
At last the storm that had sc
long obscured the village horizon
seemed about to burst over bel
head.
There were threats made of driv.
ing her from the place, and the
mob spirit saemed to be gathering
strength.
About six months after the straug
er took possession of the cottage, /;
handsome carriage, drawn by ,
span Of splendid black horses, stop
ped in front OF her dwelling, and {
fine looking man, about sixty year
of age, with his wife and tw,
daughters, were seen to alight anC
enter the house.
All the day and through the lon,
evening there was heard the SCUM,
of many voices, mingled with tn
ripping laughter of joyous heart,
The next day was Sunday, bu
this time the strsnger did no
sit alone. Strange looks and 10,
murmured words ran through til
congregation, and the ministe
, seemed to share the surprise Of hi
audience, and looked and preache
; as though under painful embarras.
, ment.
He recognized in the stranger
; clergyman whose reputation wa
world wide-none other than th
, distinguished president of the co
lege from which he had graduate,
The president remembered b
former pupil, but it must be COZ
fessed that he was both surprise