The Osceola times., 1886-07-31
Thanks no. I did not 90 in for th.t

see its two distinguished guests walk up
the church aisle the next morninc. Al
belt they were little late. A slightly
built, pleasant-looking young man, with
brown hair and eyes, and a small, dark.
foreign looking lady. She was pro-
nounced stylish in a style not familiar
IN their latest fashion-books; but opin-
ions we're divided as to whether she was
pretty. As Mrs. Long did not accom-
| pahy them, there was no opportunity
after the service for introductions, and
they crossed the Street again unmolested,
save by curious and interested glances
loung Brown, lounging at the door for
ms usual five minutes chat with pretty,
blue-eyed Sallie Smith, has what he
deems a sudden inspiration. "Did Won
Know Professor Conrad married anative
japanese ladyP' he says, quite gravely.
NO! Really did hep How delight
fulrn
She is full OF enthusiasm and interest
as she looks at him with her round eyes,
accepting without question this inter
ersting piece of news.
Can he venture further? 81 think
her name is Yum-Yum, - he saws. with
little hesitation, and again with mark
ed success
What funny name!" says Sallie.
quite innOcently
I She has evidently not seen the "M-
6ddo. " This is really a new and de-
| hghtful amusement young Brown has
! discovered, and none can say how far
he might have pursued the subject had
he not been suddenly interrupted.
Mrs. Smith, missing Sallie from her
side, gives her an imperious summons
to join her. She has not quite made up
her mind that she approves of these
chats with Mr.. Brown.
Sallie obeys reluctantly. Her mother
is conyersing with some one else, and
she has no opportunity of protesting or
mentioning her news.
'Ma, want to 90 in and speak to
ILL minute, - she says, hastily, as they
pass Judge Farnhams door. And
without waiting for permission, she
| enters, and communicates the intelli-
genoe TO her "most intimate friend"
Miss Farnham is of a less gentle and
credulous nature than Sallie, and stoutly
declares: II don't believe it,"
"Oh, but it must be true. Lem Brown
told me. And now | shall have to run
home, for ma won't like me to stay"
The ball thus started rolls swiftly on
ward, and before night there are few
people who have not heard that Prof
Moncure Conrad, Mrs. Longs nephew,
had married a japanese wife. Some
even averred that anybody could tell it
was so TO look at her, and discovered
unmistakable Orientalism in her hair
and eyes.
Mr.. Thompson Black, a visitor in
town, lounging at the courthouse cor
ner, hears the tale. Though he has not
mentioned it before, he had college
acquaintance with Moncurc Conrad
and owes him a grudge. His own col
lege record has not been of the fareSt
and he well remembers a sharp reproof
for some misdoing he once received
from the said Conrad. 1t has ranked
in his mind ever since, but he has never
had any chance Of repayment. "Msr-
red a japanese wife, did hep he say,
to his informant. Like enough he's
left two or three others behind him in
Japan. | knew Conrad at College u
significantly. 1t is but the dropping of
an idle word, but it has its effect.
Bromley is startled; Bromley hesitates.
"This is queer story about Mrs
Longs nephew's wife, isn't it?" says
Mrs Jones to Mrs. Parker "Of course.
if she had been staying anywhere but
Mrs Longs, we should all have called
on her before we had a chance to hear
any stories about her. But now-do
you think we ought to go?'
"My husband SAYS it's all stuff; he
don believe word of it, says Mrs.
Parker, with little sigh; "but it is very
uncomfortable
Meanwhile the object of so much du-
bitation is to be seen driving and walk
ing around town and over the beautiful
mountain roads in unconscious inno-
cence.
At last Mrs. Long begins TO wonder
a little vaguely why no more visitors
have called upon her guests. Judge
and Mrs. Farnham have left cards. but
she was not well enough to see them
that afternoon, and Moncure and his
wife were out driving.
"Doy know, Pen said the young
husband (hey were out for an after
noon driye), Il have taken great
fancy to that little house up on the hill
beyond Aunt Catharine's, and think |
should ike to take it and spend the sum
mer here. How would it strike you?
FavorablyP'
Mrs. Conrad hcsitates. "It's beau
tiful place" she says.
"Yes, but that's hardly an answer to
my question,
well the fact is, Moncure, the pco-
pie stare at me so don't know what b.
make of it, and feel as if | could not
stand it.
.Your dark beauty is so attractive.
my love, y her husband says, with lit
tie laugh.
"Nonsensew she answers, laughing
too "But I'll make you notice it the
next time we walk down the street
And so She does. Even the small
boys turn and run after her.
at will only be a nine days wonder,
my dear he remarks; but he is little
annoyed as well.
Mrs. Long is so charmed with the
suggestion about the little cottage that
she valves aside all objections. Oh
Penelope. my dear, am sure you will
like the place and the people and every
thing after you get TO feel at home here;
it viii bc delightful to have you settled
near me even for Il short time, And
Penelope, seeing that her husbands
heart is somewhat set on it, makes no
further objection.
SO the little house, which is partly
furnished. is rented, and they begin to
arrn,,.rn n Al nnn sihn Is n lnnn mr.