Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-08-24
MiscFIlamenMs.
A GEM OF GOSSIP.


ket one morning Twas the hour that
men 90 to business, kissing their wives
goodby or parting with them coldly,
glad Of temporary relief from Disagree
able home rule.
As Mrs. Shandy passed the home of
the Traffords on the next square she
heard a monologue from the side door
which ravished her ears. She stopped
quickly enough, you may be sure, and
caught every word.
This side entrance being inclosed by
high fence, she could not see the
speaker, who was evidently in earnest,
and not delivering himself Of any honey
comb sweetness either.
"You will have to 60 back to your
mother. You have been false and fool
ish, and I've lost all respect for you.
Persuasion and kindness have no infiu-
ence with you, and I'll not stand this
state Of things another day. BE quiet.
I've had the last word want to hear.
The sooner you go now the better. .
When people cant live together in
peace, there's nothing to do but part"
and the door banged with violense
that was still further proof of the do
nestle tempest raging in that quarter
Mrs. Shandy was wildly excited. Her
marketing was hurriedly executed, and
again she passed the Trafford home, this
time walking on the opposite side Of the
street to get better view of the win
dows, from which she might obtain a
clew to the tragedy, one act Of which
she had overheard She was rewarded.
Mrs. Trafford sat at window partially
concealed by curtains, but weeping
that was plain. The angry words at
the side door were explained. Mr.
Trafford and his wife had, of course,
auarrcled, and he had told her to 60
back to her mother. Mrs. Shandy
could hardly wait to get to the house
of her neighbor, Mrs. Allears.
Here she opened the jewel case and
handed out the gem Of gossip, saying
how she'd always thought there was
something wrong with the Trafords.
"But TO think" she said, "of people
quarreling right where they could be
heard by passersby Strange some folks
have no prudence and selfrespect." In
"a hours the town had the sensation.
indeed knew all the particulars of the
tragic happening in the Trafford family
The following day the house was
closed and stood enveloped in mournful
silence that was, of course, but the after
moan of love which had been dashed
upon an unfriendly shore. Many feet
passed that way out of curiosity, and
many eyes stared at the closed windows
aud unused doorways of once happy
home. Of course Mrs. Traiford, obey
ing her husbands cruel command, had
gone to her mother Mr.. Traford, il was
learned, had gone to stay with bach
elor uncle, who resided in the suburbs.
People who met Traford on the cars
and at business wondered Mt his cheer
fulness, for certainly the parting of hus-
band and wife is under any circum-
stances sad finale TO happy cove
nant. But they could understand his
effort TO hide his sorrow and humilia-
ton, and rs be made no mention of il
not friend dared an allusion to bis
unhappineSs. Poor fellow He little
dreamed how he was stared at and dis
cussed Fortunately no children were
involved in the unhappy complication
A month passed, and the talk abou
the Trahords was dying out, when, l.
and behold, their house was again open
ed and occupied. Mrs. Trafford had 70
turned, and all who met her observed
her radiant cheerfulness and joy. Re
Cancellation had certainly taken place,
for Mr.. Trafford was coming and going
rs usual, kissing his wife at the doo
when be left her, right before any chance
witness Of the amatorial demonst ration
How had all this come about? Mrs
Shandy, the first to tell Of the parting
was miserable not to be able TO explain
the present situation. She tried al
plans of interrogation and discover,
along with Mrs. Allears, but succeeded
in none, and the reunion did not yell
her half the pleasure the parting had
Horace Traford was good fellow
end his friends we're relieved and de
lighted to hear that he had taken hi
wife home again. They could not re
frain from going to his Office to con
graduate him He was dumfounded a
one after another approached him, al
with the same expressions. At first
thinking some joke was being practice
on him, he laughed, shook hands, pre-
tending that he knew to what they re
ferred Finally the thing assumed myI