The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-06-18
ALMOST A TRAGEDY.

ALMOST A TRAGEDY.
IT MIGHT be truly said that band OF
music welcomed them upon their arrival,
for as the hotel coach drove up to the
door Mr.. and Mrs. Winsum, the sole
occupants stepped out to the tune of
..Sre the ConIuering Hero Comes" one
of the various melodies with which the
numerous guests of the Mountain house
were entertained on pleasant afternoons.
Dark hair and ewes, wcll-cut features,
broad shoulders, FIVE feet ten: such was
Mr.. Frank Winsum, who sprang first
from the clumsy vehicle and assisted a
/ little lady with golden hair, violet eyes,
perfect complexion, rctrousse nose-Mrs.
Frank Winsum.
The brida; couple. forsuch they proved
to be, were received with undismuiscd
satisfaction.
We were getting tired of the dcspotic
control exercised by Mrs. Vaudeville, a
tall, dignified woman, exceedingly
slender, with a Roman nose, piercing
black eyes. and an imperious manner,
which overawed most Of us, more particu-
larly her husband, a meek little man,
who was terror in his office and slave
at home.
She had directed the social clement of
Mountain house for a month past, and
50 completely subjugatcd its inmates
that fancy VIC hardly venturcd to take
drive before consulting her as to the
best road.
The new people were ON their honey
moon trip, and an event of so novel and
romantic nature claimed Immediate in
terest.
Mrs. Vaudeville, who was the mater
nal parent of two auburn haired daugh
ters, eyed the fascinating bride with
cold suspicion.
''Who are these persons?" she said in
a severe tone, looking round her small
| circle of adherents. ''Wc cannot be too
| careful. We are wives"-this with a
scathing look at her timid spouse
''and mothers" casting a sentimental
glance at her fair progeny, who imme-
| diately began to whimper; land it is
due to our families that we should find
| out exactly who these Winsums are be-
| fore allowing ourselves to become init
mate with them"
Although fully agreeing with their
leader that evening, the next day an in
toduction to the enemy completely
routed their prejudices, and one and all
shamelcssly went over to the other side
without lnstituting a single inquiry as
4 to their antecedcnts, or, in fact, asking
snything about them.
Mrs. Vaudeville accepted the situation
but it was evident she did not intend to
rclinquish the field without struggle.
She had chosen the picturesque spots
for picnics, superintended the ice
cream parties, occupied the post of
honor in all the rides, led the songs in II
high soprano key during our moonlight
sails; therefore it is hardly to DC won
dered at that she failed to Weld grace
fully to the younger and prettier woman.
but OIL the contrary cherished feeling
Of bitterness, and determined to be
avenged upon her lovely rival
We were located at sort of farm
house hotel almost on the top of the
Murdocll mountain in Sullivan county,
There were not more than forty boardcrs
Just enough to make pleasant party.
Before the advent of the Wins,lms it
was divided, each clique endcavoring to
snpersede the other; jealous, and in
many ways Quarrelsome. But somehow
'hls bright little couple soon changed all
that.
They were not well off, that was GER
tain, and occupied the cheapest room in
the house. The brides dresses, though
lifting exquisitely, were made of the
plancst materials, here and there trimmed
with bit of ribbon, which, together
with her piquantc beauty, made her en-
tlrely charming. They were both brim-
ming over with talent
Frank possessed an ineyhaustible fund
OF clever songs, and. with good bari
tone voice and an excellent knowledge
OF music, accompanied himself to every
body's satisfaction.
AS for little Mrs. Frank, she was
really wonderful. She invented de-
nishtful games for the children, taught
The girls the newest and most intricate
stitches in crochet, drew exquisite
sketches of the prettiest views about the
vicinity, and, in fact, proved positively
Invaluable.
>. Mrs. Vaudeville became sullen with
disappointment, and finally declined to
Join us in any of our innocent amuse
ments.
summer waned, as the poets say, and
". we were beginning to meet at breakfast
lime with questioning looks and ''What
snali we do next2" written upon every
,ace' No one had anything new to pro-
pose anu our social circle seemed at a
Duflng the week Mrs. Vaudeville
a.ai a,alhtained a mysterious silence that
urbased ~p; suspicion, and presently vague
thn thn.spers were circulated to the effect
nb nh' tne facinating Winsums~ were not
fsn.. na' they appeared to be; that their af-
lion m IN public was delusion.
Ill, his dreadful rumor demanded instant
hvestigation.
los, ms matter of course, the ladies qucs-
nene neo Mrs. Vaudeville, whilet' GENTLE
,ern lhterrogated Mr.. Vandevi. who
,e.,;y ,1usiy admitted that he and his wife,
Wing strange sounds issue from the
-'u@s room, which adjeined theirs,