Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-05-21
A FLYING RUMOR.
BY MRS. SALLY A. HUMES,

"Thev say it's really true that Ida
Sterling has good reason to be jealous
of her naughty cousin Irene"
"Indeed! May Fleming was telling
me something about her intimacy with
Mr.. Sterling"
"Oh, of course it's only flying re-
port, but she ought to keep within
bounds. [ !have not mentioned it to
anyone except Jessie Lee and Maud
Miller"
"Why, it was the principle topic at
the sewing society, and everybody
seemed to decide against her. There's
a great deal more than was at first sup
posed. How did the talk first get out,
Mrs. Palmer?"
"Why. Sally Jones the washerwo-
man, heard her say to MIR. Sterling,
Now Frank, don't forget She thought
that was queer charge, SO when he
came home she watched, and saw him
hand her very elegant ring. She put
it on and ate her dinner right before
Ida. Sally told me the next day when
she washed for me, and | felt it my
duty to tell Ida's mother. Mrs. Mckay
went right over and asked Irene where
she got that ring. She turned very red
in her face, and said it was a present"
"Poor Ida-I wonder if she knows
they were out riding last week. saw
them go by laughing and chatting, as if
nothing were the matter"
''It's perfect shame to have such
doings in our village. Just because
she's city bred, she thinks she can come
here and flirt with single or married
men,"
Didn't it make you feel almost jeal-
Gus last week at Judge Maxwell's party,
when she danced with your husband,
and then drew him into the conserva-
tory and put bouquet in his button
hole, with a forget-me-not in it? It
vexed me, and I felt sorry for gou."
"Well, Pm not of the jealous kind,
and Mr.. Carter is too old to begin to
firt now; but I saw. her talking with
your husband, as if she were enjoying
herself finely"
eyes, but [ kept them in view, and
she didn't put bouquet on him. She
scarcely noticed any one but the judges
family and a few of the gentlemen, the
naughty thing"
Il wonder why Ida invited her here?
It was so much pleasanter before she
came"
After Mrs Carter and Mrs. Palmer
had eased their minds of this bit of
gossip, the latter hurried away to call
on another of her neiehbors. AS soon
as possible she began her story. cit
seems to be all the talk about Irene
Sanderson and Mr.. Sterling. Mrs Car
ter thinks she is hardly to be trusted
with our men,"
"Why, Mrs. Palmer, you frighten
me! She asked my husband yesterday
to drop letter in the Office for her.
[ wonder if it wasn't note for him?"
Il shouldn't wonder. Mrs. Carter
thinks she's a grass window, or an. old
flame Of Franks, following him up.
But, Mrs. Cherry, if [ were you, [ would
know who the letter was for, if she sent
one by mig husband" And again the
little gossip hurried off to. some other
point.
That evening Mr.. Cherry had bust
ness at his Office, and as soon as he was
fairly out of sight, his wife followed and
saw him turn and go to Mr.. Sterlng's.
A few minutes later she also rang their
bell, and upon entering the room said,
why, Mr.. Cherry, [ thought business
called you to YOUR Officer"
$50 it does. but called here first to
let Miss Sanderson know I was ready"
"Oh, yes, I see she is Just ready to go
out"
Frank and Ida exchanged glances,
and MI. Cherry's. face flushed, but Irene,
turning to the lady, said:
81 have little business at your hus-
bands Office. Please excuse me for
not being able to enjoy your call"
6 Certainly, [ shall only stay a few
minutes"
Mr.. Sterling went out with him, and
as the door closed, Mrs. Cherry said,-
what possible business can she have
at my husbands office after six o'clock :?
His hours are from seven to twelve and
from one to three"
"She is in danger Of losing some Of
her property, through her uncle's
nephew, and Frank promised to 60
with her to consult your husband this
evening. He can't leave the store in
the daytime"
ut seems to me Mr.. Cherry is very
obliging to her. | never knew him to
be so accommodating before" .s
'WeD, you needn't be afraid Of cous-
IN Irene. She's as true as the stars
above u.s."
"Why, Mrs. Sterling, Mrs. Palmer
just told me you had good reason to be
jealous of her."
II have been told that at least six
times day for a month past, but don't
believe word of it,
"You don't? Didn't your husband
give her a ring!"
Eyes, her engagement ring. The sol
itaire was loose and she came near los
ing it. Frank took it to the jewelers.
and twice forgot to call for it, and one
day she said. Now, Frank, don't forget
She told me she felt like widow with
out her ring"
do you think her very beautiful,
Mrs. Sterling?"
eyes, hers is high style of beauty.
She is rather tall, a willowy, graceful