The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-10
MRS, FENTONS MYSTERY

-, ~ n pica.ant nature. rms vs. 49,
=. II, fact was business hau p''"
w Snil for some time past and III c"i'''
,'',.,co ~ an oversupply probably NY
~ had fallen II unfortunately nap
- ,ba, Mr. Fcnton had laid IN n''s'
i,r,,lv bought on ninety days an'l''p''
s.' brisk demand and rcmrncr"'Nc
- Dut all his calculations were P''
On, nv tho prevailing dullness ana inc "o
'"' ss,,.,, - that he would not only meet
i,;,n a los bnt IL seemed very doun'I"'
'..ha,her ne could meet the payment no"
due. tol,, dozen
-. "a mo, with moderate success. III
dce,l be considered himself worth zen
.ho,sapd dollars But II he should TIC an
ablc 10 meet his engagement, ana ms gre"
;,or should levy upon his stock at the Pr''
~, ,,r,e the sacrifice would he such tha'
l,,le or nothing wOuld probably ne iei''
I, - no, remarkable that under the clI
1,,,s,onces he should feel little Urn
,oble His hill Of goods must he p"iu 'o'
an ,brce DAYS. bat be had only eight nun
drcd dollars toward the necessary thre'
,bousend. and saw no WY 20 Obtain inc
holonce He had already applied to sew
oral bnsincss acquaintance. but was III
each case assured that money was neh''
ond that much ~ they would Ike 10 &c
conmodatc him they were quite unanie.
no This lac could say nothing. Money was
,joht He knew that very well II 1t had
,o, bccu he would not have been Dor
ROVER
while lie was rather despondently con
si1cring what he could DO he saw entering
the door Of his shop the spare form ana
vinegar visagc Of Miss Vincent, maiden
lady. noted for the very scnnt supply Oh
personal attractions with which nature
had supplied her, and no less for the ans
position 10 pry into the affairs oil her neish.
bors. and pick up all the small BITS ol
floating scandal and give them the largest
amount Of publicity in her power
Mr.. Fenton was not particularly glad 10
coo Miss Vincent, for he knew very well
that her purchases were generally yer!
small. and not likely % help him material
~ toward raising the two thousand dol
lars odd which he needed 70 make up ms
pevmept. still she was customer pro5.
nblv and his face from habit assumed the
customary Trademarks smile AS he said
Good morning, Miss Vincent; what can
show you
well. I'm not wanting much, Mr.. Zen.
ION said the spinster in voice of high
mitch. Though believe | make most OF
my purchascs Of dry goods Of YOU"
"Then You must he wonderfully sparing
in vour wants" thought the shopkeepeT
bni he only said. Il am glad TO hearit. we
are ready 10 sell anything from silk dress
pattern TO "A spool Of cotton
"Tbet i, lust what ! came in for, said
Miss Vincent
The silk dress PATTERN What shade
will you look at,'
no. ] don't mean that It's spool OF
cotton want"
II think can supply YOU
Miss Vincent after while found spool
Of con ton 70 suit her, and paid for It, man
nuing 70 De one penny short.
III bring in the other penny next time, j"
she said
ITS Of no consequence. Miss Vincent"
said the merchant. knowing that she
would take care never to think of it again.
ION. yes 10 u.s. am very particular
about such matters. Just remind me next
time am in.
'Jf should. ten 10 one she wouldn't
hive the money" thought Mr. Fenton
No. i iAllh 4 "a lNNhNf IL W fNA " -
ncn;,er IL if YOU really insist upon it"
This was what lac said, so differently In
many cases are our thoughts from our
words
"How is Mrs. Fenton" inquired Miss
Vincent. as she deposited the spool in the
pocket OF her dress.
"She is quite well, thank you"
Il mn glad to hear it, Health is great
blessing. ! WAS afraid she might be in
poor health"
"In poor health, What should make
Won think so," demanded Mr. Fenton, sur
prised. "Do you think she looks illY'
No" said Miss Vincent hesitatingly.
"Idon't think shclooks all. Quite the con
frary: indeed ! think | have never seen
her looking better or more cheerful
80 think. Why then should YOU fear
that she was in poor health? ! confess
am puzzled 10 make out your meaning"
"Mr. Fenton, I-you must excuse my eX-
planning myself really would rather not
do So" and Miss Vincent lowered her head
and spoke in depreciation.
Excuse your explaining Yourself. You
don't mean 10 say there is a mystery in the
matter" said Mr. Fcnton. his voice tinged
in the slightest degree by uneasine,s.
"Oh. dear no. Of course not, " said MIS-
Vincent appearing confused. Not the
least mystery. fear have been talking
very foOlishly What a fine day it is.'
There was something about Miss Vim
cents manner which seemed 10 indicate
tina, there was something concealed, and
fhis conclusion Mr. Fcnton drew.
Miss Vincent" he said, you evidently
had some reason for saying what YOU did
say. whether it was foolish or otherwise
As NV wife's health is a matter Of serious
importancc 10 me ! must insist that you
tell me your reason for speaking as you
did"
Don't think Of it for a moment, Mr.
Fenton. It's nothing, assure you-quite
a trife. in short, not worth mentioning"
But insist upon hearing IL, ~ said the
shOpkcepcr impatiently.
Really. M Fenton'--
will YOU oblige me by telling me at
oncHf" said Mr. Fenton decidedly.
Then if you positively insist" said Miss
Vincent. II must tell you, though You will
probably laugh at me. ] thought MIS-
Fenton might be indisposed on account Of
her going every morning to the residence
of DR.. Tompkins."
'Go,ng every morning TO the residence
Of DIR. Tomplsins" repeated Mr.. Fenton.
II don't know what you mean"
You don't, really" said Miss Vincent,
her eyes sparkling little in anticipation
~ the effect her news was likely TO pro-
Guce.
NO. | think you must be mistaken
but am not, Mr Fenton. see Mrs
Fenton pass our house every morning, ana
mast our side window haye-quite by &C
cidcnt, assure you-seen her. for several
mornings running, enter the house OF DIR.
Tomphins'
Did YOU notice how long she stayedi
ss.ci Mr. Fenton, beginning To feel dc
cidolly queer.
From two TO three hours. said Miss
Vincent Yesterday morning she stayed
t.so hours and thirty i've minutes by our
clock"
Mr. Fen,on WAS getting decidedly jeal-
Gus, or hc might have wondered at tho
accuracy with which his wile's call had
100. ti,taI