The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-16
This b0ShfuI MIR. eau
THERE was decided sensation Whe,

THERE was decided sensatio 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 a novelty and "Mrs. So-and-So' be-
longed to it, forgot to read single
chapter in David Copperfield," but de-
voted it's entire attention to the dis
cussion of the new family"
AS the Sterling grounds adjoined
mine, was enabled at an early date to
form an opinion concerning the new
corners, and I became convinced at
once that they would prove desirable
neighbors, and surely it would be pleas
ant to have at least one interesting fam
lily in the town with whom I might ex-
change few words now and then upon
some subject other than the well-worn
weather affection, which seemed to be
the only topic with which my village
acquaintance 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 q shall be
obliged to quote Jane in spite of my
scruples) that Mrs. Peabody came to
see her under the pretense of making
call, but in reality to enjoy the view
of the Sterling house obtainable from
our kitchen window, and on seeing the
two young ladies had exclaimed:
''You see if them two don't set their
caps for poor, dear Mr.. Gay!"
Jane repeats legend that long ago
I incurred Mrs. Peabody's everlasting
wrath by not marrying her daughter,
Jenny, after raising her hopes to a
dizzy height by offering her the pro-
lection of my commodious umbrella
one day when the amiable Jennie had
been caught in sudden shower far
from home, and had accompanied her
to her mothers door, which upon an
urgent invitation / had entered, for
the first and last time, staying exactly
nine minutes by the grandfather's clock
in the corner.
I 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 foated
| innocently to my ears on the gentle
breeze.
Mrs. Peabody, delighted to pay up
few back scores, began lengthy &C.
count of my failings, and dwelt with
particular emphasis on one had never
had any reason to believe I 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 Ger.
tain young lady in this town.
shouldn't like to 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 toe
shy to come to the house."
My hair arose on end, and I 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 dignifed reticence
should be thus interpreted to these
strangers drove me frantic; but afte,
all it was foolish to care, when coulG
SO easily disprove all she had said.
But as the days passed found il
anything but easy, for every time met
any of the Sterling ladies always fell
the blood leap to my face, and ex
perienced wild desire to fly, as
thought what they were doubles.
thinking of me; but never failed t.
raise my hat with studied politeness.,
I One day while I was. looking over my
roses I once more became an uninten
.tional eavesdropper. Hearing voices
in the adjoining garden, I was abou
to beat arhasty retreat, when became
aware that it would be too late, as til,
following conversation was, we'll unde
way: .. f.. .....s.: j, ., ~. .-- ~
''Genevieve, dearest, isn't it q pit,
that Mr.. Gay suffers so from shyness
His books are charming"
recognized the gentle voice o
Phyllis. H"'1f 1fi' !'..'' -
EYES," laughed Genevieve, "he near
ly has fit whenever we meet; he grow
i. purple in the face, really! Socially
& is impossible No doubt he STAN
mers." d -. tEt~s'+ - a#s@s1 sss.z. AZ
The following day I picked a buncl
of great, blushing jacks s(they cor
sidered me one, beyond doubt), an
walked boldly over and rang the Ste1
j nngs' bell. The white capped mai
; who answered my ring showed me b
her wide-opens eyes that my repute'
failing was well known even in tina
. quarter. I left message that my ros
! gardens were at the ladies' disposa
and fled. szxa=s 4 ts
That morning I had put the finishin
touches on5my new work, s''Roses an
. Their Cultivation and for want q
something better to do began move