Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-04-10
HIS ELL A NE OU S .
SCANDAL.
A STORY OF EVERYDAY LIFE.

%S FEW years since a lady purchased a
gS home in the beautiful village of Milford,
about thir:y>ive miles from Boston, as she
Ioneed for fresh air and quiet scenes; and
doubtless she would have found all the happi-
ness that she sought in this rural retrest, had
not the place been haunted By that terrible
spectre-scGn3nt
"IIave you seen the new arrival? ?" said
Mrs. Graves to her neighbor Mrs. Wood,
few days after tho stranger took possession of
Fern Dell, as the little place she had pur>
chased was now called.
A curl of the lip and shrug of the shoulder
was all the reply made by Mrs. Wood but
in the gestures Mrs. Graves saw, or supposed
she saw, sufficient reason for stunning the
acquaintance of tho stranger.
Mrs. Graves, who was worry jealous and sus-
picious, translated the language in her own
way.
81 have no doubt" said she to her hus-
band. .'that she had bad reputation in the
city. She has come here dressed in deep
mourning, but who knows whether she ever
had husband or not? And if she had, her
wearing black is no sign he's dead, in my
opinion"
The next day quite crowd had gathered
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 trifling
purchases, and was stared at by the people, as
strangers always are in small villages. s~
After she left the store, some remarks we're
made about her iadylike appearance. s.T
Yes, she appears enough like lady, said
Mr. Graves; '.but my wife thinks her Teputa-
ton is none, Of the best"
Customer entering, nothing more was said
at that time, but the Ere of scandal was kim
dled-the story spread rapidly, each one tell
ing it in their own way, until there was not
person in the village but had heard the
rumor and believed it to be true.
Days and weeks passed away, and the in>
mate of Fern Dell felt that for some reason
she was looked upon with suspicion and dis
like. ...-
There was no hospitality, nothing said or
done that she could demand an explanation.
Every day seemed to increase the avoidance
of her neighbors and she, noticing this,
ceased making overturcs toward an scquain-
tance with them, sending to the city for her
| household supplies, and never coming in con-
tact with any. one save at church, and even
then she generally found whole seat at
her disposal.
At last the storm that had so long obscured
the village horizon seemed about to burst over
her head r.-..-. ...
There were low threats made of driving
her from the place and the mob spirit seemed
to be gathering strength.
About six months after the stranger took
possession of the cottage, very handsome
carriage. drawn by span of splendid black
horses, stopped in front of her dwelling, and
| a fine looking man, about sixty years OF age,
with his wife and two daughters, was seen to
| alight and enter the house.
All the day and through the long evening
there was heard the sound of many voices
! mingled with the laughter of Joyous hearts. =
The mex. day was Sunday, but this time
the stranger did not sit alone
Strange looks and low murmured words
ran through the congregation, and the min
| ister seemed to share the surprise OF his au>
dience, aud looked aud preached as though