The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-07-01

Sabina Aliens and old Mrs. Poole's,
and see what Elder Simmons thinks of
it,
And so, before ten o'clock that night,
the ball of gossip was pretty well roll
ing round the neighborhood, and half
Sparkletown was aware that Walter
Dayton was carrying on double firta-
ton, and that pretty Grace Tyler was
but the toy of his careless moments.
u really think you ought to enquire
into this business, Clarence" said Harry
Brooker to Grace's stalwart brother the
next morning.
He had heard the latest bulletin OF
news, and wass incerely disquieted there
with, for pretty Grace was favorite
with him, as she was with most people.
"It's all an absurd liev' cried Clarence
Indignantly.
"But it comes pretty well authentica-
ted. / think you should tell your sister.
at all events. and let her act according
to her own judgment"
And Clarence, reluctant though he
was, wended his way homeward, to ad-
init his sister into the mystery of her
own unconscious wrongs.
If thought Walter Dayton could be
such scoundrelr' thought Clarence
Tyler, grinding his teeth. But don't
believe word of it, and no more will
Grace, bless her dear little hearth
Grace was sitting singing at her work.
with the sunshine playing, like an au-
reOle, round her fair young head, as he
entered the room.
She looked up In surprise; his pres
ence at home at that hour was rather an
unwonted thing.
"Gracie," he said half doubtfully, 81
have something to tell you that
miss Snedecor." announced the
maid-servant, and Miss Patience follow
ed close on her name. very much heat
ed and very red in the face from rapid
walking.
Don't be alarmed Gracie," painted
the spinster, "but i'll news travels fast,
and thought I'd better be the first to
break it to you myself"
II don't know what you mean, Miss
Snedecor," said Grace. turning crimson
and then pale in a single breath.
'Confound the old maids tattling
tonguew inwardly exclaimed the irate
Clarence. She'll be beforehand with
me after ALL"
Compose yourself. Grace; don't be
excited!" went on Miss Patience, UNITY
ing her bonnet-strings and tanning her.
self violently.
Grace started up.
'.Walter, he is we'll? Oh, Miss Pa
tience, surely nothing has happened to
him?"
.Ah, my dear" sighed Miss Snedecor
sepulchrally, If he was dead and buried
it would be better. He's a deceiver
that's all"
"a deceivere Neverr' cried the in
dignant girl.
Il knew you wouldn't believe it,"
said the bearer of evil tidings with ill
dissembled complacency; but always
distrusted the man, or else-well, there's
no saying what else might have happen
ed. But can prove my words, Grace
Tyler. and l think it's my duty to open
your eyes after it's too late"
but what is it?" gasped poor little
Grace, feeling herself tremble like
leaf. Tell me, quick! This suspense
is killing me!'
'.He's flirting with another gal, and
he's only maxim fun of you, Grace
Tyler. / heard him say it with these
selfsame ears only last night And he
was a-talkin' to the girl herself close by
the meadow-stile, a-holdin' both her
hands, and her face just as close to his
as he could get it
lis that all the charge you have to
bring against him?" asked Grace calm
ly, with Just the slightest shadow of
smile playing round her face.
'.Ain't that enough?"
"But is it all?'
"Yes, it is ALL"
Grace broke into laugh.
WAS the girl dressed in dark cloak
and hoodP"
Yes"
''Well, Miss Patience, it was myself.
l had walked part of the way home with
Walter, and Clarence met me just be-
yond the stile and escorted me home
l was the offending party, and, 1 regret
to say, the lady of whom he spoke was
pone other than yourself"
'Land o. Goshenr' exclaimed the
amazed and indignant Miss Snedecor.
''Where's my bonnet? ! won't stay
here another moment to be insulted. ]
don't believe word. of your made-up
story, Grace Tyler"
but can testify to its truth, Miss
Patience" said MIR. Clarence Tyler.
coming forward with countenance of
intense amusement "And, since this
precious item of gossip has no more
substantial foundation to boast of, allow
ME to caution you, as friend, against
any future eavesdropping or tale-bear-
ing. This time you have escaped the
consequences of your own uncontrOlla-
BILE tongue. The next time beware, lest
you should be less fortunate.
Mr.. Clarence Tyler bowed Miss Pa
tience out of the room, and the daunted
spinster tied ON her bonnet without a
single remembrance and went.
81 never once dreamed of the gal
being Grace Tyler herself" she thought.
"And SO they were talking of me! The
impudent fellow! But he'll come to no
good yet"
Humiliated and mortified, Miss Sne-
decor crept home to her solitary habita-
ton, avoiding even the doorway of Mrs.
Bookstaver, which stood invitingly open.
How they will all laugh at me!"
sighed she.
Nor were her apprehensions misplac-
ed. And, worse than all, when the
wedding-cards of Mr.. Dayton and Miss
TYLER came out, a month or so subse-
quently, Miss Patience got none!
But she didn't leave off gossiping-
old maids of Miss Patience Snedecor's s
stamp never do.
Laying Out a Track.