The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-07-05

the scene in q little different way from
the original plan. You know I always
did enjoy a joke, and 1 am indebted to
young Eastman for the idea. By the
way, where is BobQ"
Bob had taken O sudden departure.
he was thinking of all he had told his
tramp, and Of the possible conse-
quences.
Didn't I play q good one on LuciE-
daY" Mr.. Belden's hearty voice was
distinctly heard above the murmur of
conversation. ST sang the very songs
we sang together when we were court
ing. and yet she failed TO recognize
me. Actually, she threatened to have
me arrested one night"
"Who could blame met" replied the
happy wife. 'Richf1eld is such a place
for gossip. and I was sure that half
the people In town were watching pro-
ceedings."
"Oh, well, " said Mrs. Price. ''it there
were no curiosity i'm the world there
would be no progression. What dis
gusts me is the way curious people try
to hide their curiosity. Ny. my but
the shrubbery and the blind alleys Of
this village could tell strange talesi"
That afternoon Bob packed his valise
and went to the city-in response Go an
invitation from q school friend. He
had a premonition thatit would be bet
ter for him TO remain away until the
worst Of it had blown over.
Gone, has he'll" thought Mr.. Belden
when he heard the news. He is Wor.
ried over what he told me about my
wife. She an inveterate gossip, indeedl
My starsl Wouldn't Lucinda fume if
she knew all he has saidQ Poor little
womRnl They have abused her here
in this old town, but I guess old Cy
Belden a punish a few of them"
Cy Belden had brought something
home with him that would palliate a
dreat deal of eccentric behavior on his
part. He was now the wealthiest man
in Richfeld. The neighbors who had
said the most about Mrs. BeIden's love
Of gossip,-pow excused her on the
ground that she must have been des.
perately lonely, and ought not to have
been blamed for trying to find sum
cient interest in her neighbors to make
her forget herself. after all" they
decided she had done no real harm,
since ne one in Richfeld had ever done
anything of which to be ashamed"
Bob Eastman had been gone less than
forty eight hours when it was whis
pered about that he had told Mr.. Bel
den every word he had ever heard
said about Mrs. Belden. Great indig-
nation prevailed. Everyone supposed
that Bob. Eastman was to be trusted,
and to have it end in this way, just
when Mrs. BeIden was in a position to
give the most delightful entertain
mentsl
"Mr. Belden was fearfully angry
when he told me about it." said Win
ME Hill, one Of the members Of the
Anti-G Gossip league.
eff Bob Eastman doesn't learn my
opinion Of him, it will be strange" said
Addie West.
but, girls" faltered Clara Wells,
'if we said what was not so, we are to
blame If we told the truth, it is
quite as true now as it was then"
J1s5 hear Clara defend Bob East
mar! Tguess she wouldn't do it if she
knew what Mr. BeIden knows about
him" eaid Winnie Hill, in a tone that
made Clara turn pale.
"What does he knows" asked Addie.
81 must not tell" replied Winnie,
gravely.
AS a matter of fact, Mr.. Belden had
not confded his secret, being sure that
the result would be more satisfactory
should he refrain from so doir 6.
After a little further conversation
among the members of the league, it
was decided that Bob's sister, Susie,
ought to resign, since Bob vas to be
dealt with as he deservedE
az also tender my resignation, " said
Clara, controlling her tears with diff
Guilty.
''It I were you, Clara" said Winnie,
ST would not stand up for Bob quite so
openly until l knew that he preferred
no other girl. You can't put too much
confidence in college men, you know"
It was a speech of a somewhat vim
dictive maiden to one who had been
the recipient of attentions which she
craved for herself; but, to do Winnie
Justice, it must be said that, when she
made it, she had quite forgotten her
mvsterious illusions to Mr.. Bslden's