Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-03-25


It, ana / believe apopIexy or hydropho-
bia is imminent for the old lady. The
fact of Mrs. Thorne's being still mar
ried woman gives the affair queer look
to squealnish mortals, and the Cumber-
land women are the quintessence of con-
sentative old fogyism; they might be
fresh from the South Carolina woods for
all the advancement they can boast. It's
wicked, and I'm ashamed of myself, but
whenever think of Ethel Thorne trying
conclusions with those straight laced
Cumberlands. I'm filed with unholy
mirth."
Then followed belated apologies for
this careless handling of q family mat
ter, and copious explanations. Mrs. Vim
cent was a wordy woman, fond of writ
ing and apt to be diffuse when not
pressed for time.
Thorne returned the letter to his cous-
in, and announced his intention of re-
turning to New York Immediately.
"By using dispatch | can catch the
boat at Wintergreen this afternoon" he
said. 81 wish you'd tell your mother.
Norma, only your mother, please; it will
be time enough to &cquaint the others
when the whole affair is out. And, Nor
ma, can trust you, know; keep the
matter quiet here as long as possible
These people are strangers: they know
nothing. don't want to be in every
body's mouth-a nine days wonder here
as well as in New York. 1t will be bad
enough there. Promise me to keep it
quiet, Norma"
Thorne had reasons for the request
He had ascertained, beyond all doubt
that no hint of his story had as yet
reached Pocahontas. He was surprised
at first, for he thought all women Cos
siped, and the affair had never been a
secret. He did not conceive for u mo-
ment that the fact of his divorce would
be permanent stumbling block in the
way of his happiness. but he realized
something of the conservatism of her
surroundings, and the Old World inf1u-
ences and prejudices amid which she had
been reared. She would be shocked and
startled at first; she would have to grow
accustomed to the idea, then reconciled
to 1t. He recognized at a glance the
immense advantage it would be to him
to tell his story himself, and in his own
way to enlist her sympathy and to
ship.
The explanation of the girls igno-
rance is simple and natural The inter
course between the two families was
cordial and frequent, but there were
Observation-Disclosures of territory which
were never trenched on. There was
about the Masons a certain fine reserve
which discouraged promiscuous and
ELUSIVE condolences. Exhaustive in
vestigation of their neighbors' affairs
had never been their practice; it was a
proud family; a conservative family.
The Smiths had seen no reason to give
publicity to their own particular family
scandal. Other peoples skeletons We're
interesting, but the rattling of the bones
of their own annoyed them. Then. too,
it was such an old story, it's interest as
gossip had passed, its piquancy had
evaporated. These people knew none of
the parties. 1t could be to them of no
possible interest even as narrative.
There had been no definite deterlnina-
ton on the part of the Smiths to say
nothing of the affair. but nothing had
been said. Thorne did not correspond
with his wife, nor did any member of
his family, so there We're no telltale
letters to excite comment or curiosity at
the village postoffice. How was Poca-
hontas to know?
With Thornes good pleasure. her
ignorance would remain until he kim
self should lift it.
Norma gave the required promise will
ingly. She, too, objected to this affair
obtaining publicity. While Thorne
sought her father to explain a sudden
call to New York ION business" she
communicated the contents of Mrs. Vim
cents letter to her mother, and informed
her of Thorne's determination. Then
leaving the good lady to get the better OF
her CONSERVATION by herself, and to make
impossible suggestions to the open air,
she repaired to her cousins room and
assisted him in his hurried preparations.