The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-02-23
The B0ShfuI Mr.Od


THERE was decided sensation when
the Sterlings moved into our hum
drum little town The Charles Dick
ems club" which several of the am
bilious ladies of the Baptist church had
organized for the mental elevation OF
the community, and which every wom-
an in town had joined, not for any de-
sire to be "elevated," but because it
was novelty and Mrs. So-and-So" be-
longed to it, forgot 10 read single
chapter in David CoppertieId." but de
voted its entire attention to the dis
cussion OF the new family
As the Sterling grounds adioined
mine, l was enabled at an early date 10
form an opinion concerning the new
Corners. and | became convinced at
once that they would prove desirable
neighhors, and surely it would be pleas
ant 10 have al least one interesting fam
!y in the town with whom might eX-
change few words now and then upon
some subject other than the weil-worn
weather affiiction, which seemed TO he
the only topic with which my village
acquaintances appeared at all familiar.
Mrs. Sterling brought with her two
charming daughters, Phyllis and Gene
We've. They had been in Town only
few hours when Jane said (l shall be
obliged 10 quote Jane III spite of InS
scruplesl that Mrs. Peabody came TO
see her under The preIense OF making
d call, but in reality TO enjoy The view
Of the Sterling house obtainabIe from
our Kitchen window, and on seeing the
tno young ladies had exclaimed:
lyon see If them uyo don't set their
caps for poor, dear Mr.. Gay !"
Jane repeats a legend that long ago
/ incurred Mrs, peabody's everlasting
wrath by not marrying her daughter.
Jenny. after raising her hopes 10 .
dizzy height by offering her the pro
lection Of my cummudious umbrella
one day when the amiable Jennie had
been caught in u sudden shower fai
from home, and had accompanied heI
TO her mothers door, which upon al
urgent invitation | had entered, for
the first and last time, staying exactly
nine minutes by the grandiather's clock
in the corner.
| was in my study, overlooking the
Sterling piazza. on the afternoon Mrs.
Peabody made her first call on the Ster-
| ling ladies, and the conversation tloated
inuocently to my ears on the gentle
breeze.
Mrs. Peabody, delighted to pay up
a few back scores. began lengthy ac-
count Of my faiLings, and dweIt with
| particular emphasis on one had never
had any reason to believe | possessed
namely; conviction;
He is the laughing stock of the
place" calmly asserted the caller, and
is altogether the biggest stick YOU ever
saw. Why. he was in love with a GER
tain young lady in this town-I
shouldn't like 10 mention any names
but he acted like fool tagging round
after her on rainy days with the excuse
of lendin' his umbrel', when he was too
shy to come TO the house"
My hair arose on end, and l grasped
the arm of my chair to steady my nerves,
or my temper. lest | should throw my
inkstand at the offending lady. Thai
my reserve and dignitied reticence
should be thus interpreted TO these
strangers drove me frantic; but after
all it was foolish TO care, when could
so easily disprove all she had said.
But as the days passed l found ii
anything but easy. for every time | met
any of the Sterling ladies always felt
the blood leap TO my face, and ex-
perienced a wild desire TO fly. as
thought what they were doubtless
thinking of me; but never failed 70
raise my hat with studied politeness.
One day while was looking over my
roses-l once more became an uninten-
tional eavesdropper. Hearing voices
in the adjoining garden, | was about
10 beat hasty retreat. when | became
aware that il would be too late, as the
following conversation was well under
way:
"Genevieve. dearest, isn't it a pity
| that Mr.. Gay suffers so from shyness?
| HIS books are charming"
l recognized the gentle voice of
Phyllis.
"Ies," laughed Genevieve, he near,
| ly has fit whenever Se meet; he grows
purple IN the face. really. Socially he
is impossible. No doubt he stam.
mers."
The following day picked a bunch
of great, blushing jacks (they con-
siGered me one, beyond a doubt). and
walked boldly over and rang the Ster.
lings' bell. The white-eapped maid
Who answered my ring showed me by