The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-11-12
w hen
PeSgy
CO. IN e
b q c k
Bly,.
JANE
MEREDITH
q
CODurfUbt.
COpyrtght
1901, by A. s.
Richardson
"Ycs'm, saw 1t with my own eyes"

"Are you sure he kissed her? P'raps
he was just picking leaf or something
out of her hair"
well. Mrs. Demming, you needn't
think that just because I ain't been
married no man ever kissed me. I've
had as many beaus In my day as ever
you hadr
Dear me, Miss Laviny, didn't
mean anything personal! Only It's
quite step from your porch to Mrs.
Burkett's. and thought
II wasn't on my porch" answered
Miss Lavina shortly. IL was right
close to the hedge, picking wine cur
rants"
The last phrase was spoken apologet-
icaly. as prompted by latent shame
at thus spying Oh neighbor.
"Oh, don't know but It's your duty,
Laviny, to keep your eye open when
there's such doings In the heart of a
respectable community like ourn," was
the unctuous reply Of Mrs. Smithers.
We'll, that amt all I've seen, ei-
ther," announced Miss Lavlnia, rising
to this skillfully baited hook. "You
know Cousin Sallie left her theater
glasses behind. and they're heap of
help. I can stand In my second story
front with them and see straight into
her pnrlor."
giriish figure bending over strip
OF renaissance lace in the rear of the
shop Strengthened up suddenly, and an
exclamation escaped her lips. But the
women clustered round the front door
gossiped on excitedly.
Didn't he take the train for town
yesterday morning7" queried Mrs.
Smithers.
"Yes. but he came back at early dusk,
with his arms full of white paper bun
dies, ana when he got on the porch he
tossed them heltcr skelter on the set
tee and-and-hugged her!"
"Ohr' -"
"Ain't that dreadful"
"1f anybody but you. Laviny Hart,
had told that, I wouldn't believed itw
murmured Mrs. Smithers.
ut may look out OF place for Sin
me like Judgment on Doc Burke It for
going OFF to marry a fri solous, do moth
Ing Boston widow Instead of some de-
cent, thrifty girl in his own town. He
amt been dead three months, and here
is another man hanging round his Wild
ow. Perhaps he's an old sweetheart.
Everybody knows Doc was well fixed"
Yes, and they do say" intcrposed
Mrs. Dcmmlng, "them rs was round
when he wns brought home that day,
that she stood round like n statue, ncv-
or shedding tear and just doing what
old DR.. Green ordered, like some ma
chine"
"I'erhaps she knew 1t wasn't no use
to do anything anyhow" suggested
Mrs. Marsden, who had rctreating
chin and weak, fishy eyes.
whats that Becky Nfarsden?"
snorted Miss Lavinia, turning severely
on her insignificant neighbor. what
do you know about it?"
Nothing" hurriedly replied Mrs.
Marsden. "Only was reading n novel
yesterday where woman got tired of
her husband md put something in bis
coffee that didn't smell nor taste nor
anything-and he'-
"IAwzee Becky, always knew you
was light headed" snapped Miss La-
vinia. Nevertheless the group of gos-
sips turned suddenly silent and gazed
Mt each other, wide eyed.
MY, wouldn't 1t be awful If we had
q poison case hereY
The gfrlish figure In the rear rose
now, and clear voice rang across tho
Rtufry little shop.
you've no right TO say such things
You don't know Mrs. Burkett and nev.
er wanted to treat her right, and you're
wicked. wicked women to talk about
her that wayw
Astonished silence fell upon the wo-
men. Then Mrs. Smithers' voice, no
longer oily and complacent, rose cut
tingly.
That's nice way for you to speak
to your elders, Peggy Smithers, and
I'm ashamed Of you. D'you mean to
call Lavinia Hart liarr
The girl fingered her bolt of braid
nervously.
mo, aunt; but can't cit here and
Mrs. Burkett. I've worked for her, and
! know she's a lady through and
through, and she's not doing anything
wrong. There's a reason"-
"Well. Miss Peggy, seeing as you're
the only one in this party that has
visiting acquaintance with Mrs. Bur
kett, you might just walk up there and
See who that man is."
"Oh, aunt, can'tl I couldn't ask
such question:
"You don't need to ask. Worm it out
while you're there. You can take up
that 1ew set Of points you've made
Perhaps Mrs. Burkett might like to
wear them with her Widows black"
Tho last words came spitefully.
The girl stood in pleading attitude
This Is nice way to treat your old
aunt That's given you bed and board
for ten years now. Now you stop sniv-
cling and trot along"
Poor Peggyl Before those words
"bed and board" she never hesltated
They formed the spiritual lash which
her aunt swung with unmerciful hand
The girl never stopped to reckon the
mlttens she knit for the shop, the lace
she made or the interminable days Of
fine sewing as recompense for the
obnoxious bed and board"
Drearily she lifted her simple sailor
hat from the shelf beneath the counter
and started on her hateful errand.
The great trees arched protectingly
over her head, the wild Strawberries