Oxford Democrat., 1913-11-18
What They
Heard
The Result of Idle
Curiosity
BY CLARISSA MACKlE

The Pendletons' telephone bell jim
gled sharply. and along the rural line
Eve receivers were stealthily lifted tt
as many curious ears.
THAT you. BONNER" came Jack Pen
dleton's voice.
"Yes." responded Mrs. Pendleton.
"I'm bringing friend home to din
ner. VIII 1t he all right. dear?"
"Ye-es." Mrs. Pendleton's voice die
sound doubtful. There isn't thing
to eat in the house. but cam
"Never mind. then. Well dine ir
town and come down afterward." said
Jack in disappointed tone.
"If you don't bring him home" pro
tested Bonnie, I'll never speak to you
again. Jack Pendleton. and
Hang up along the line there!' bel
lowed Jack. with sudden intuition that
his performance was interesting bis
rural neighbors.
stored to their hooks. and Eve good
housekeepers. pink Of face. but with
excited eyes. went back to their pro
sale duties.
The Pendletons concluded their con
versation. and pretty Bonnie explained
to her adoiing husband that she had
not planned anything to eat that day
because. II he would only remember
he had invited her to dine in town
with him and 80 to the theater after
ward. and absentminded Jack ruefully
acknowledged bis guilt.
They were newcomers in Dayville
and fresh from the big city. where
ones neighbors business Is not Of the
slightest interest, and they were some
what bewildered by the almost avid
curiosity displayed by their new &C
quaintances in the little village.
So Bonnie worked busily all day long
preparing an appetizing repast for her
husband and his business friend. while
the five housekeepers dismissed their
tasks with deft hands and dressed fol
the Wednesday afternoon sewing So
,iety with pleasant sense Of impor'
lance in being the center Of interest
Tor In Dayville the bearer of news
invariably holds the middle Of the
stage.
By 8 o'clock the society meeting was
In full swing. and the Pendletons' af.
fairs We're made the subject of discus.
sion.
II hear they make a terrible mess Of
getting along" said Mrs. Henry Beebe
Don't get along. eh?" wheezed Mrs.
Bush skeptically.
II don't wonder. her being the house
keeper she is." said Mrs. Charlie
| Sayles.
And him such poor provider.
expect he don't earn enough to keep
soul and body together" was Ellen
Spencer's significant remark.
They're both pretty husky looking.
'ut in Mrs. Bush.
But she was ignored by the news
hringers.
1--WE heard that he treats her dread.
fully" simpered Miss Fanny Wicks.
who had IDEAS of her own regarding
the perfect married life.
81 heard they was going to sepa'
rate" said Mittie Loomis.
After that tongues clacked more
busilS than the needles flashed.
The PendletOns would have been
quite stunned with surprise II they
had known how intimately their af
fairs were known and discussed by
their neighbors.
Talks to her like a dog" asserted
Fanny Wicks.
IF his bed amt made before he
takes the train or II his dinner Is q
mite late" added Mrs. Charlie SayIes
with relish. And. being the poor
housekeeper she is, l guess 1t keeps
him dinging ut her all the time"
mo woman will stand that for
long," said Mrs. Henry Beebe. who
ruled her little husband with an iron
hand minus the velvet glove.
Just think of there being days when
they don't have bite to eatp put in
Ellen Spencer. II wonder II 1t 'twould
be an insult to give 'em donation"
IF they're going to separate they
won't thank anybody for giving 'em a
party" remarked Mittie Loomis.
That's 50. But I wonder what we
can do. don't like to feel that there's
anybody in our midst that's suffering
for food when I have a-plenty." twit.
tered Fanny.
mo more do l." said Mrs. Charlie
sayles thnftily. 1--WE got some can.
ned fruit that's not going to keep
Land knows what got into 1t! I could
leave 1t there unbeknownst to her."
"She might guess who twas that
never had no luck with canned stuff. u
whispered Ellen Spencer to Mittie
I.oomis.
Old Mrs. Bush had said Fiddle.
sticks! three times and "Bosh" twice,
but no one took the slightest notice Of
her. Presently she folded up her work,
popped 1t into her black sateen work.
bag and got up to go.
"Why. Aunt Louisa. you amt never
going now? Why. we're going to
have refreshments" protested Mittie
Loomis.
~ can't stay" said Mrs. Bush acidly.
i've got things to do that have to be
did," and she marched or with an air
tof deeply offended dignity. and the
half frightened pleading Of the minis.
ter's meek little wife was of no avail
| II wonder what she'll do when she
gets q divorce" shuddered Fam!
Wicks, with sentimental sigh owe
the grave Of dead romance.
MARRY again most likely"
"Why. Mrs. Sayles. you don't meal
to say she's got her eye on anybody"
There was that tall, dark mai
that came by stage one morning whel
her husband was away. She kisse'
him. saw her"
1T was her brother" explained tn
minister's wife.
MRS. Wright, how do you knowT
"She told me so"
"Oh, she told you sol"
"And expect he leads a gay III
In the city. Them brokers are here
there and nowhere all the time. o
course I mean Mr.. Pendleton. not tn
other man."
THE other man. Bow DREADFUL!
romanticr' sighed Fanny Wicks-
"I think we better have some re