Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1899-02-04
The BdShtuI MP.GdU
THERE was decided sensa ton when

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 Il
was a novelty and Mrs. So-and-So" be-
longed 10 Il. forgot 10 read a single
chapter in David Copperfield," but de-
voted its entire attention TO the dis
cussion Of the new family"
As the Sterling grounds adjoined
mine. l was enabled al an early date TO
form an opinion concerning the new
corners, and became convinced at
once that they would prove desirable
neighbors and surely il would be pleas
ant 10 have al least one interesting fam
ily in the town with whom 1 might ex-
change a few words now and then upon
some subject other than the well-worn
weather afiiction, which seemed 20 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 a
few hours when Jane said U shall be
obliged 10 quote Jane IN spite OF my
scruples) that Mrs. Peabody came 70
see her under the pretense Of making
a call, but In reality 10 enjoy the view
of the Sterling house obtainable from
our kitchen window. and on seeing the
two young ladies had exclaimed:
"You see IL them two don't set their
caps for poor, dear Mr.. Gayi"
Jane repeats a legend that long ago
] incurred Mrs. Peabody's everlastin z
wrath by not marrying her daughter,
Jenny, after raising her hopes 10 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
10 her mothers door, which upon an
urgent invitation l had entered, fOI
the first and last time. staying exactly
nine minutes by the grandfather's clock
in the corner.
] was In my study, overlooking the
Sterling piazza. on the afternoon Mrs
Peabody made her first cali on the Ster
ling ladies' and the conversation foate(
innoeently TO my ears on the gentle
breeze.
Mrs. Peabody. delighted TO pay al
few back scores. began lengthy ac
count Of my failings, and dwelt will
particular emphasis on one had neve
had any reason TO believe l possessed
namely; conviction:
"He Is the laughing stock OF tn
place" calmly asserted the caller, "an
is altogether the biggest stick you eve
saw. Why. be was in love with q ceI
tain young lady In this town
shouldn't like TO mention any name
but he acted like fool tagging 'roun
after her on rainy days with the excus
OF lendin' his umbrer. when he was TO
shy 10 ocome 70 the house"
Ny hair arose on end. and graspe
the arm OF my chair 10 steady my nerve,
or my temper. lest / should throw IN
inkstand at the offending lady. Ths
my reserve and dignified reticenC
should be thus interpreted TO thes
strangers drove me frantic; but afts
all il was foolish TO care, when l coul
80 easily disprove all she had said.
But as the days passed l found
anything but easy, for every time ms
any of the Sterling ladies always fe
the blood leap 10 my face. and c.
perienccd a wild desire TO fly. as
thought what they were doubtle'
thinking Of me; but l never failed
raise my hat with studied politeness.
One day while was looking over n
roses once more became an uninte
tionaI eavesdropper. Hearing voic
in the adjoining garden, was abol
10 beat hasty retreat. when becan
aware that il would be too late. as a
following conversation was well und
way:
"Geneyieye. dearest. isn't 1t pi
that Mr.. Gay suffers SO from shynes
HIs books are charming"
recognized the gentle voice
Phyllis
-Ye.." laughed Genevieve, -hs ns'
" has a. whenever we meet; he gro
purple In the face. reallyi Socially
Il impossihlA Nc devhs hs ssa
mara" ---~