New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-01


induced Miss Penfold change her mind and give
Margaret Yenables a pair salt-cellars as a
wedding present. A spiteful tongue. combined
with a genius for ferreting out her neighbors
private affairs. had for Miss Peufold certain
authority in the small town. where it had been
generally agreed the last Dorcas meeting to
show disapproval of the marriage by Withholding
the customary gifts.
Being Margarets next door neighbor. of course
Miss Penfold enjoyed unrivaled opportunities. al
though she would, perhaps. have blushed if any
had guessed to what extent she had taken ad-
vantage of them.
The gardens were separated by a high oak paling.
on each side of which their only paths on
secluded position it was possible 70 gain a consid-
cradle amount of information
For Margaret VenableS was, 1t must be admitted,
not little prim and precise APproaehins her
months ago She had elected to stay the little
house, under the protection of a maid of all work
charmingiy rounded figure, disguised to some de
gree by Ill fitting, old fashioned frocks. Even Miss
neghbors face though Nobody had expected the
man as walter Redmond 0'''''' @
In her lonely circumstances it would have Offend
the house, and thus it happered that he carried
on his wooing in the back garden. with Miss Pen
he wore a panama hat. Walter was generally sup
responsible position for since MIR Davys attack of
paralysis eighteen months ago Redmond had man
In due course, Miss Penfold heard him ask Mar
garet become his wife telling herself that doubt
less Miss Venables's two hundred year to say
nothing Of the house, provided the chief induce
choose such n superficial. harum scarum, albeit
good looking man. was more than Miss Penfold
one evening in June. two months after the begin
ming of the engagement, Walter reached the house
vited to walk round by the miniature greenhouse
to the back garde Whsre he h found Marg8E d
brimmed rush hat end on the other side Of the
short with fiat Chested. angular figure ana a
down the middle and decorated by four tortoise
shell combs Walters introductory remark startled
Margaret. he began just the other side Of
the Pa a[F fact Te % m tbe
Left for good, do you mean? asked Margaret.
and Miss Penfold could detect the remor IN her
Yes; there's been desperate row said Walter.
Miss Penfold sat very erect so that the back of
her head touched the fence: her knitting needles
"Davy accused me of-of dishonesty" said Wal
ter He charged me with stealing IA hundred
What dd you do?" murmured Margaret, after
There was only one course open" the an
swer. Il threw up my berth and-and came
Wasn't it possible to provo that Mr. Davy was
Nunfortunateiy' he returned. You under
| stand there are things one can't always prove
AS a matter of fact the money ha1 gone II mas
been taken nv somebody In the Office OF course
It's q disastrous business TOT me St'l'SS W llS
for another berth In this country. l shan nave &c
I go abroad Nj
AT this interesting point I'm the conversation MISS
Penfod's small servant came out by the back do!'i
and walked toward her mistress Mrs. Anscompe
was in the drawing room. the girl said. and Sc
Miss Pcnfuld had alternative. Gathering up mel
/ wool she left the arhur and made her reluctant
wav into the house. She would have given some
thing TO have heard the remainder or the confer
enoe although OF course, II was quite easy L" I'M
agIne the denouement
Her disappointment was to some degree counter
| balanced 10y the advantage Of being the hIst tc
spread the news in the nelgbborhood and she
sent Mrs Ansco1ube away burrlng with curiosity
10 discover how the exciting fact had come 20 heI
knowledge. Miss Peufold did not from me outset
moments doubt concerning W after
Rrdul0ud's guilt hut as. happily, ~ was Wednes
found an opportunity - speaking - Mrs Davy
herself II appeared that Walter had been specu,
Iatinc' fnr some months past and tina. his gum
was established beyond question. He had been cN-
PEELED from the office. and ought 10 feel grateful
that he not prosecuted.
II was n shock To- Miss Penfold the following
morning. when she saw Walter Redmond enter the
adjoining garden fust s II nothing extraordinary
had occurred. whereas. from tho manner or MS
ra~apton. IL seemed obvious that Margaret had
not turned him adrft Indeed the cr suing few
davs established the fact that Of the whole popu-
l7tior 81 SouthhridFe. Margaret Nenobles was the
only person who still believed I'm Walters inno-
Cencc
Nor did she for moment hesitate to express
her conviction She went about the town as usual
and although her face looked wistful and pale
Miss Peufold could only describe her manner as
defiant Meeting kind hearted Mrs povy In High
ST Margaret deliberately cut her; she quar-
relied with several OF her mothers oldest and
dearest friends they could not refrain from