Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-01-23
( refinement that Myrtleville generally
:. -. ess,,,&t;um an airo

yer mentally resolved to do, " as vulgar
triumph she enjoyed greatly in anticipa-
ton. But it was in anticipation only.
Mrs. Belknap and her daughter received
the news in quiet way, as If the gossip
possessed no especial interest for them,
asking no question. and manifesting no
chagrin.
The story had grown little on its way
through Mrs. Mufit's sitting room. and
Mrs. Sawyer had now full description OF
the runaway brides costume. and the
Grain too, was specified by which the young
couple travelled. y. a
But after Mrs Sawyer had gone to take
her news elsewhere. Susy turned very
pale face to her mother, asking pitifully:
"Oh, mamma. can it be true?" $50 "A
81 will 60 over to Mrs. Seymour's, dear, d
|.if you wish it, 5,4' 7 $
IN OF for the world. If 1t is true we
must never let any one know how we feel
it,'' she said. And her lip qujvered. "For-
tunately no one knows we are actually en-
gagged If it is not true"
st seems to come very direct" said
Mrs. Belknap, as she drew her daughter
iuto a close motherly embrace. MRS.
Sawyer is terrible gossip and busyhody,
but never knew her to be guilty of abso
lutte falseho0d."
MRS Kitely is very intimate with Mrs.
Seymour, have heard Fred say they we're
schoolmates. So it is quite natural fol- her
to be telling Mrs. Kitely, and speak of
something else u hen Mrs. Sawyer went
M
81 can scarcely believe it of Fred" said
Mrs. Beknap.
Nor l. And Belle. too, who has been
my friend so long, and her only interest in
Fred seemed to he in his love for me. Oh.
mother! can't believe it,
In the mean time the story was spread
ing from house to house, gaining little
here and there as it was repeated.
Mrs. Grey had seen Fred Seymour going
in the direction of the station at half past
seven, aud it did not seem to occur to the
gossips. that, as his business was in Lon
don, this was sight of daily occurrence.
| Another one had always thought Miss
Grainger's quiet modest manner covered
a deceitful heart.
Some pitied Susy. some congratulated
her upon her escape.
The young couple were discovered to
have every fault the imagination Of their
accusers could summon up, and Mrs. Bel
KNAPP and Mrs. seymour shared the odium
and pity with Mrs. Granger, who certain
ly should have attended more strictly to
the education of her daughter, and given
her more careful moral training.
Every mother in Myrtleville was pious-
ly thankful it was not her daughter who
had 90 disgraced herself, and the daugh-
ters, as a general rule, secretly wished
they had had Miss Grainger's chance, for
Fred Seymour was decidedly beau in
Myrtleville, and his mother was knswn to
have property from her late husband,
that would make the young man indepen-
dent, when, in the course Of nature it re-
verted to him. He was engaged on one Of
the evening papers of the great metropolis,
and considered talented and upright, a
man who in time would make name and
position of honor.
His attentions to Susy Belknap, though
the fact of their engagement had not yet
been published. had been too marked to
escape tho notice Of eyes SO prying as those
possessed by the good people Of Myrtle
vile, and his Inconsistency was matter Of
marvel, as Susy was maiden whom any
man might have been proud to win.
When the four O'Clock train came in.
NJ. Granger, a little, nervous man, all
excitability. was amazed at the sympathiz-
ing faces that greeted him on the platform.
A chill like death seized bis heart For
years his wife had been an invalid, suffer-
ing from spine complaint. Had she died
while he was away?
4 White as sheet. he turned to friend
saying:
"Why do you look so at me? What Is
the matter at home -
"My poor friend, have you heard moth
ing?
A choking sensation came over the low
ing husband, but he struggled against it.
saying:
s'Quick, tell me? What is it-Mary ~
"No. Mrs. Granger is as we'll as usual,
believe; but there is very sad story to
, break to you regarding your daughter"
Wrath took the place of terror.
my daughter !" cried the little man fu-
riously. "Who dares to carry stories about
my daughter?'' tt
"Well-you-see,' stammered his friend,
1.-THE women folks say she eloped this morn
ing with Fred Seymour"
Fired Seymour Why he's head over
!, ears in love with Sassy Belknap. My
Belle! Why she has been engaged for
two years to Lieutenant Weston of the
navv, though he did not publish the fact
for the benefit of all the tattlers in Myrtle
vllle."
81 am afraid was the reply, that it
was the fact Of these engagements thar
drove them to secresy and elopment."
81 tell you the whole story is false y
, roared the excited father. I'm make
these mischief-makears eat their own
; words! My Belle. indeed They must
be crazy"
But on his way home, Mr.. Granger met
; the report in SO many places, heard it II
such plausible versions, that he entered
his wife 8 room with very grave face
from which all angry excitement had van
ished.
Where is Belle, Mary ?" he asked.
, 'sShe went to town this morning to d
: some shopping. She will stay at her Aun
Maria's tonight"
< Ibid young Seymour go up by the sam
b train ?''
Il suppose so. He usually goes at eight