The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-09-05

an; and the sturdy good sense and lack
of nonsense that characterized the
straightforward Scotch doctor, made
N peculiarly acceptable to her, both
as physician and friend.
Putting what she knew of both to-
gether, and adding what her magma
ton contributed, Mrs. Sampson con-
cluded she had made social discovery,
and SO, on the afternoon of her sewing
party, led the conversation upon Marga-
ret Dale, her illness. her wonderful re-
covery, in which, of course, the other
ladies Joined.
After Margaret had been pretty thor
oughly discussed. Dame Sampson, who
had been watching for favorable OPP
portunity to give vent to her suspicious,
said, with sigh.
''What pity it is that she is so infat-
uated with DIR. McCroud.'
1t was equal TO the bursting of a
bombshell in the social camp. The
women, startled and mystified, were
eager with interrogations, which led
the way for the hostess to detail her
suspicious, in proof of which she exhib-
tied the fact of the newspapers and the
marginal penciling.. Thus were the
! seeds sown for a first-class scandal,
although not one of the number enter
tanned the slightest doubt of the great
good sense, honor and integrity of Mar
| garet Dale.
| One little woman wanted, with all
her soul, to defend Margaret from such
an allegation, but she lacked the eour-
age, and SO remained silent. But this
little faint-hearted woman had a con-
science and her own sense of right
which was quite as apt to be wrong, in
fact-and the very first thing she did
after leaving was to go straight to Mar
garet and detail to her the conversation
in regard to her.
| Margaret was mot to tell who told
her mo, not for the world" That she
promised. Although her Dutch blood
was reused to fury. she was one
quick to think and equally quick to act.
The idea of allowing such license of
tongue to pass unnoticed never oc-
Cured to her. A woman-and one, too,
who had professed friendship for her
had dared to make dishonest insinua-
tions against her. It was crime
she should suffer for it.
She sent for two men--one her old
pastor, and the other an old friend of
her father, Judge Howe. They heard
her version of the affair, smiled at her
intensity of feeling, and advised her not
to notice it at all She and DIR. Nc
Croud were both too well known to be
injured by any such idle gossip, they
argued.
''But it is not more for myself than
for other women I wage war against
this gossip crusade" she exclaimed.
Things have come to such pass that
the purity of an angel would not be ex-
empt from the abominable villifying OF
idle women's tongues. We who quietly
endure such treatment only aid and
abet the villainy by encouraging such
lawlessness of speech. I'll not be a
party to the screening of any such VIC
lation of Christian demeanor. Mrs.
Sampson is very good person to begin
on, for she may be worse gossip some
day. Moreover, l should like her to
realize the fact that work basket
may contain needles as well as news
papers"
Next day Mrs. Sampson received a
note, which she opened and read:
MADAM: have just been informed that ]
was made the subject of especial conversation
at your house on Thursday. 1t will be to your
advantage to make known to me at once your
authority for indulglng in certain insinuations
l which vou did upon that occasion
MARGARET DALE"
A thunderbolt would not have more
surely transfixed her at that moment
than that leaf of French note paper.
Her alarm was only equaled by Mar
garet's Indignation. After recovering
herself, and looking the matter straight
in the face, she concluded that she had
better improve the advantage" hel
wrathful ladyship suggested.
my dear Miss Margaret" she began,
after untying her bonnet, sit was only
said in the most careless way. No one
thought anything of it."
''How do you know" asked Mar
garet, severely.
The question confused Mrs. Samp
son.
why, Ill shouldn't have thought
anything of it."
but it seems you did. You entered
my room during my absence. and made
capital of what you saw. l am not tc
be trified with. You must either re.
tract every. word you said or suffer
the consequences of a public ex
posture. am acquainted with the whole
cir cumstance, and have asked counsel.
| At this Mrs. Sampson quailed, and
throwing herself into an abject atti
| MllSXlazs h1 Nl