The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1899-03-24
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The BaShiUI MP. G0II



/ the SterliDgs 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 10 be elevated" but because IL
was a novelty and Mrs. So-and-So" be-
longed to it, forgot to read a single
chapter in David Copperfeld." but de-
voted its entire attention to the dis
cussion Of the new family"
As the Sterling grounds adioined
mine, was enabled at an early date to
form an opinion concerning the new
comers, and l became convinced at
once that they would prove desirable
neighbors, and surely IT would be pleas
ant to have at least one interesting fam
iy in the town with whom might ex-
change few words now and then upon
some subject other than the well-worn
weather afliiction. which seemed 10 be /
the only topic with which my village /
acquainiances 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 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 obtainabe from
our kitchen window, and on seeing the
two young ladies' had exclaimed:
You see if them two don I set their
caps for poor dear Mr.. Gay!"
Jane repeats legend that long ago
incurred Mrs. Peabody's everlasting
wrath by not marrying her daughter,
'enny, after raising her hopes to a
lizzy height by offering her the pro-
ection Of my commodious umbrella a
me day when the amiable Jennie had
cen caught in a sudden shower far y
rom home, and l had accompanied her /
D her mothers door, which upon an
rgent invitation l had entered. for o
le first and last time, staying exactly Il
Inc minutes by the grandfather's clock u
} the corner. h
l was in my study, overlooking the
erling piazza, on the afternoon Mrs. a
eabody made her first call on .he Ster-
ng ladies, and the conversation foated iI
nocently to my ears on the gentle "
eeze. m
Mrs. Peabody. delighted to pay up Ill
few back scores. began lengthy ac- w
unit Of my failings. and dwelt with DC
rticular emphasis on one had never
d any reason to believe j possessed co
namely: conviction: pi
Tie is the laughing stock Of the u
lce,' calmly asserted the caller, "and
altogether the biggest stick you ever sa
v. Why he was in love with a GER -.
u young lady in this town. "s
'uldn't like to mention any names 3"
'ut be acted like fooltagging round my
er her on rainy days with the excuse -,
endin his umbrel, when he vas TOO ~
to come TO the house"
ly hair arose on end. and grasped III
arm Of my chair tosteady my nerves,
my temper. lest / should throw my ..
stand at the offending lady. That NJ.
reserve and dignifed reticence a..
uld be thus interpreted to these
myers drove me frantic; but after -,
il was foolish to care. when could
asily disprove all she bad said. -
lt as the days passed l found il -
thing but easy, for every time met -,
Of the Sterling ladies always felt .s "o1
blood leap to my face, and ex- .aT. an
enced a wild desire to fly. as 1 a.
ight what they were doubtless a, 80
king Of me; but never failed 20
E my hat with studied politeness.
e day while was looking over my g.,
| once more became IN uniuten- -,
al eavesdropper. Hearing voices :. y.
he adjoining garden. was about 80,
AT hasty retreat, when l became ..T,
e that ii would be too late. as the ...,
wing conversation was well under
enevieye. dearest isn't it a pity ~ 49,
Mr. Gay suffers so from shyness? SD'P
books are charming" IN ~"
recognized the gentle voice Of .~e,' '....
lis. 9oulil
B." laughed Genevieve, "he near &C
S a fit whenever we meet; he grows
e in the face, reallyl Socially he The
possible. No doubt be STAN that
low b