Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-07-11
HIS MISTAKE.

spOrtlvo fancy, while not zephyr
seemed upon the wing and all nature
slumbcrod In tho stiffness OF a long
summer evening, when from ono of
the neat white cottages of the village
Of - issued two figures complete.
ly onvolopOd in cloakS notwithstand.
ing the thermometer stood ut nearly
90. Not word was spoken, but
with stcalthy stops thoy chased their
shadows along the silent streets for
good half milo, although twice or
thrice one of the figures paused and
broathcd convulSivoly, whether from
lack of breath or agitation seemed
doubtful At length they stopped
before cottage whose proximity to
tho church bespoke the parsonage
A light twinklCd through tho case
mont Tho muf1lod fugitivcs raped
gently at tho door. 1t was opened,
and thoy entered.
The old moss grGXn clock had Just
proclaimed III SOLEMN tones the hour
of 9 on tho next morning whom two
ladies whose looks bespoke them far
upon the road of time, clad in black
silk hunuots and mitts, came slowly
down the streets, shaded by the
spreading Gins. These good gossips
appeared deeply engaged in CONVEX.
sation, looking so intcntly into each
others faces that sundry fowls,
young pigs and small dogs miracu-
lousy escaped Il sudden and violent
death
Can you believe it, Mrs Potts."
cried tho lesser of the two ladies'
Such u reflection upon our quiet
village! Good gracious and powers,
preserve us from such assurancer
Thus saying, she rolled up the balls
of her eyes and claspcd her hands
together with pious fcrvor.
Not only that, my doar Miss
Clappcr, but such an example to tho
daughters of the PLACED" and Mrs
Potts sighed as she thought of her
six damscls who still remained in
single blcsScdncSs, Notwithstanding
the many littlo mancuvcrs to which
mammaS will sometimes havo re-
course
Yes. indeed 1t bchoovos you,
Mrs. Potts, to keep n sharp lookout.
Will you visit hor-the good for
naught?"
"W-c-l-l, what do you think about
it? If we cut hor, all tho village will
What say you?"
ITO be sure, to be sure, that's
true Her place in society depends
upon us, my dear. She gives such
pleasant parties, such excellent soft
watfleS, and then one meets some.
times such agreeable people from
the city there, which gives the girls
2 chanoa you know (winking know.
ingly), that 1t would be pity to
throw her off.
II agree with you, my dear Miss
Clapper And, after all, she's hon.
estly married. although she stole
away like thief in the night.
Suppose We just stop and ask
Katy few questions. Maybe they
wish to keep 1t n secret. Here we
are by the house Shall we stop"
Il have no objections, my dear,
but you'll get nothing out of that
piece of saucrkraut. "
"I'l pump hcr-leavo mo alone
for that
Accordingly tho two loving neigh.
borly g"sslps raped at the door of
the white cottage from whcnco had
stolen forth tho fugitivos the night
previous
Tho loud knock announced tho
aristocracy of the village. The door
opened, and The sharp, blush fea.
lures of Katy filled up the aperture.
Her small gray eyes blinked for
moment when she beheld the visit
ors. The next Katy stood the per.
sonification of gravity.
We'll, Katy" cried Miss Clapper
In her most dulcot tones, how do
you do this fine morn? All we'll, |
hope?" making an effort to open
wider the door
why, yes, miss, very fine morn
ing, and wo arc all we'll, thanks be
to goodness" answered Katy, hold.
ing the door still closer and protrud.
ing her nose still farther, so that tho
sudden slam of tho door would have
deprived that venerable spinstcr of
the most conspicuous of all features
"A red nose. Sorry can t ask you
both in, but nobOdy's home.
All SO then it's true what we
heard this morning." said Mrs
Potts
Cant say indeed, marin, rs
don't know what you might have
heard
"Oh, only that your mistress ran
off last night and was married and
went away this morning in the vii.
lage hack, " almost screamed Miss
Clappor
And 40 my mistress is married,
and / know some that would like to
be in her shoes if they could but get
the chance.
"Woll, we'll, Katy, no offense Is
meant, cried Mrs. Potts. when
will the bride be homer"
"Sho bado me tell you, marin, and
Miss Clappcr, and she wants you to
tell the village, that on Thursday
evening the doors will be thrown
open and the candles lighted, and
you will sec her and plenty of we'd
ding cake and good wine" Thus
saying, she gently closed the door
SO it's no secret, after all, " cried
Mrs. Potts. Katy made no bones