Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-03-26
Beware! ! Beware! !"

Pretty Mrs Floyd was standing at
the gate IN a mavelous morning robe.
A charming black-lace fchu was drap
ed across her breast; her beautiful hair
flowed in heavy curls down to her shoul
ders; and she wore the most bewitching
little breakfast cap you ever saw. In
short, she Gas perfect vision of love-
lIuess.
She seemed to be all ribbon and lace,
and she should have heen all smiles, as
she usually was. But then her liege
lord had just gone off 10 high dudgeon;
and she stood looking down the avenue
after him, with half rueful counten-
ance. Yet what a pretty picture she
made with the trees and sky for back
ground.
How perfectly absurd, she exclalm-
ed. i wonder why it is that American
husbands are so unnecessarily exact
ting, la Europe, the married women
are the charm Of society, and L dou't
see that the proprieties suffer in con-
sequence. But here one is censured f r
appearing natural. One cannat be at
ease in gentlemau's society, but must
be prudish to the last extreme. The
idea Of r,y having a.rted with Kenneth
Gray. Why am sure l never dream
ed Of such a thing. hope l have more
regard for my reputation. Lester ought
to know that, too
Whether Mrs. Floyd was more SIN
ned against than SHINING, 10 the mat
ter, is rather difficult to decide. To be
sure, Lester, who loved her after The
manner Of husbands, was soneYhat
prone TO be jealous; but then, Mrs.
Floyd bad certain little coquettsh ways
which, While very becoming to her
beauty, were not at all conducive 10
Lesler's peace of mind. On the whole
they were about equally cul2able, if so
strong a word can be used.
In this part cular case Of Kenneth
Gray, Mrs. Floyd may have unusually
provoked, for that handsome young
physician had once been her fiance,
and she might have known that Lester
would have eyed him with disfavor.
But she bad taken no pains 10 avoid a
misunderstanding.
She had danced with Kenneth Gray
at Mrs. Lathrop's lawnparty; she had
talked TO him on numerous occasions /;
and once or twice when she met him on
the street, she had allowed him to walk
home with her. But the Gro snlng Of
fense 10 Testers eyes, had been the ac-
ceptauce Of beautiful basket offlOwers
from the young physician.
To be sure, this was only .he pay
ment OF a bet; bot Lester argued that
married woman had no right to make
bets with marriaseable young man !;
aud IN particular, Mrs. Floyd should
not do such q thing with Kenneth Gray,
Now the truth Of it was that as the
rupture Of her engagement with this
man had occurred under circumstances
which left her in rather disagrceable
position, Mrs. Floyd was bent upon
showing him that he had passed entire
ly out Of her regard, anu that she colld
meet hlm On a familiar footing without
the slightest concern.
But Lester could not appreciate this
motive, hence the stormy scene after
breakfast, and Mrs. Floyd's indignant
soliloquy.
a man who is unreas onably jealous,
she SAID, as she stood listlesslY at the
gate aitel her husbands disapp
ought 10 have something 10 be jealous
about. l think that if Lester were
made thoroughly miseraole about me
| for once in his life. and were TO find
out that there was no serious occasion
for it, 1t might cure hlm OF this uncom-
Portable weakness. | have thought OF
| it frequently, and I've half mud to
concoct scheme of some sort, that
would bring 1t to pass
Her thoughts were running ia this
channel, when she saw Testers brothe
Terence coming up the road. Instantly
ber face was wreathed in smiles, anc
archly smelling at a flower she held
She SAID, half coqne,tlshly: L am 50
clad you came, Teddy. / am Just brim'
| full OF a project, and must tell it tC
some one. l hope you are safe con
fdenty'
The best in the world was the re-
ply, thinking as he said it how pre- IT,
his slster-in-law looked. 1t is one OF
my accomplishments ssn C>g5T
'weIl--but come into che house. Yol
know, she began, when they were
there and with a little hesitation, you
know Lester andrI have just had
a--a--'
Law? No, l didn't know it. But
mi g6t have supposed as much. That
tbe conyeptional. lIrng between. .- mar
ried people belieye.' t8rf t9
Teddy was a bachelor!
1T wasn't a. row. > Mrs. Floyd ex
blamed. Rows ate vulgar. This was
difference, misu understanding; but
was very disagreeable all the same
Would you believe il Teddy ? He &C
cnsed me Of flirting wuh Kenneth Gray
i OF course I'D believe IT, Teddy rc
lplied promptly. 'YOu are jas. though!