The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-07-21
IT CAUSED MISCHIEF.
The Scandal Hanging Upon q
Long Red Fringe"

When young woman stands beside
the fireplace. taps her foot on the rug,
and says, coolly: II feel very much hon.
ored, I'm sure, but l don't think we
are suited to each other" the young
man who is most interested in the con-
versation can do nothing better than
to depart as soon as consistent with his
dignity.
So Richard went out and banged the
ooor, leaving Dolly in the library.
Dolly was eighteen, Richard was twen-
ty-three, the ages at which man and
n woman are most given to tormenting
each other. Dolly thought Richard
the handsomest and wisest of human
beings; Richard thought Dolly the low
Hest and most lovable Of women; so
there is no use describing either of
them. That Dolly should refuse Rich
ard, or that Richard should propose to
Dolly in an unfavorable moment. may
seem strange, but it was the fault Of q
gossip, o silent gossip, who or which
had circulated most extraordinary in.
telligence concerning Richard.
One fine afternoon, less than week
before this painful evening interview,
Richard walked down Main street, en-
Toying the mild spring air, thinking Of
Dolly and tennis, Dolly and his canoe,
Dolly and his tandem and Dolly and
his buggy, as had been his habit ever
since he returned from college and
found that Dolly had treasured up all
his letters to her brother. Main street
was crowded; the evening train, the
-'supper train, from town, had Just
arrived, and Richard, who had come
down on an earlier train on some bus
mess with old MIR. FARMLAND, met the
crowd, and beamcd serenely on every
one. People meet very closely on the
marrow sidewalk of a village street;
that was the reason why the two Pou-
lett girls, apparently struck by Rich
ards new scarf-pin, stared and gig.
gled as they passed. Then Miss Lawn.
DIES, the dressmaker, peered at him
with eager eyes; Mrs. Allan. the doc.
tors wife, stout and slow, came to a full
stop in front of him, and as he stepped
aside to give her room, she turned and
looked at him again before she passed
on. Richards special friends, 'tht
boys as the young lawyers, clerks
and railroad men of his own age were
called. were nearly all on the othel
side of the street, but Bobby Price
just through college, and on his way
home from the tennis-ground, saun
tered slowly to meet Richard. I.ulit
Cameron was with him, giggling a
usual, and they both stopped ant
talked to Richard for minute or two
Then it was tea-time, and every one il
well-regulated Sunnydale went home.
Within the next three days all Sun
nydale was talking about Richard Dali
and Julie FARMLAND, of the outrage
Gus Irritation between them. for JUL,
was engaged to George Lane, who wa
in Europe on long business trip. Tn
first that Dolly Firth heard of it wa
from her Aunt Julia DOrr. 1--WE al
know how Julie firted before she go
engaged" said Aunt Julia, after an
nouncing the facts in the case. "Bu
never would have believed that sh
could have misbehaved so afterwards
George will be furious. OF course h
will break of, and cant blame him.
Dolly kept silent Richard had beer
devoted to her since they were chill
dren; they had quarreled and made "
a dozen times, and he had occasionally
invited other girls to parties and pic
mics. when he thought Dolly had show
signs of undertaking him, but neve
in their lives had there been any thin
like this. And to think how he ha
kept on calling on her three times
week, while he was, no doubt, CALM
upon Julie the other four evenings
And then to come down in the earl
train to see her! ''The detestable littl
tlirt, it was all her FAULT" though
Dolly, bending over her work, an
bushing with shame and anger. Blu
though Dolly inwardly ragged, sh
showed no signs of disturbance, an
sercnely met Richard when he called
as usual. two days after she had learne
of his falscness.
IF it were not that the whole villag
had seen it, believe that should b
deceived by him again, thought Dolly
as she looked into the eyes that wer
dearer to her than all others, as the
beamed at her from under Richar
straight brows.
When Richard, who had lately mad