Year: 1868

village, about forty miles from well known
city. She longed for fresh air and nuiet
scenes, and doubtless she would have found
all the happiness Which she sought in this
pleasant retreat, had not the place been
haunted by that most terrible spectre
Scandal


Have you seen the new arrival? p asked
Mrs Thomas, OF her neighbor Mrs. Law
renee. about week after the stranger took
possession of Maple Cottage. as the place
she had puro hased was called


a curl of the lip and a shrug of the
shoulders was all the reply made by Mrs.
Lawrence; bu; in the gesture Mrs Thomas
saw, or thought shessaw, a sufficient reason
for stunning the acquaintance of the stran-
ger.


Had Mrs Lawrence, who was a great
sticker tor aristocratic society, answered the
question in words, or had she expressed her
real opinion of her new ncighbor in tangi-
bic form, no very great results would have
occurred, for she would have said ''Yes |
have seen her; she had on a cheap delaine
dress, aud hear Size does her own washing
too''-no very serious charges, but accord
ing TO Mrs. Lawrence s ideas of good So
ciety,'' quite sufficient to deprive her of all
claim to the title of ''lady hence her
curIed lip and shrugof disgust.


Mrs. Thomas who was very jealous and
suspicious, translated this sign language in
her own way Being extremely sensitive
as to what Mrs Grundy should say, she was
always on the watch, lest accidentally. she
should be seen speaking to some person Of
low character therefore she caught at this
straw. and turned it over and over and over
in her mind until she made out serious
case for the stranger


81 have no doubt" she said to her hus
band at night, that she has bad reputa-
tion in the city. She has come here dress
ed in deep mourning. but who knows wheth
er she ever had husband And if she had
her wearing black is no sign that he's dead,
in my opinion, and Mrs. Thomas drew her
mouth into most sanctimonious expression
"a look which always indicates the pharisa-
ical, Il am better than thou -


The next Gay quite crowd had gathered
in the store OF. Mr. Thomas, waiting for the
arrival of The daily mail, which was. due
about this hour The stranger came in to
make soma tritlis zchases, and was star
ed by inc Sc ssssso s-btrarigcrs always
are.


After she left the store, some remarks
we're made concerning her lady like appear
ance. Mr.. Thomas immediately reioined,
YES, she appears enough like a lady, but
my wife thinks her reputation none Of the
best.


Nothing more was said at the time, bat
the fire OF scandal was kindled-the story
spread rapidly each one telling 1t in his own
way, until there was not family in the
place bat heard and believed the lying ru-
NOR.


Weeks passed on, and the inmate of Ma
pie Cottage jelt that for some reason she
was looked upon with suspicion and dislike.
There was no hostility, nothing said Oh done
for wh ich she could demand an explanation.
She tried to remember some act or word
which could have given offence; but in vain
did she cali to mind every word she had ev-
err spoken 0 the villagers; she could relnem-
Der nothing in her conduct TO warrant such
neglect, and she could only suffer in silence.


livery day seemed to increase the avoid
ance of her neighbors; and she. seeing this,
ceased making overatures toward an ac
ouaintance with them, sending to the city
for her household supplies, and never came
in contact with them, save at church; and
even here she found whole seat at her dis
posal.


At last the storm which had SO long dark
ened the village horizon, seemed about to
burst over her head There were low threats
OF driving her from the place, and the mob
spirit still seemed to be gathering strength
from all sides.


About this time. some three months after
the stranger came 20 Maple Cottage, very
handsome travelling carriage, drawn by
span of noble grays, stopped in front OF her
dwelling. and fine looking man, apparent
IL about fifty years OF age, with his wife and
two children. was seen TO aiight and enter
the house All that day and through the
evening, there was heard the sound Of hap
py voices, mingled with tie ripping laugh
ter Of joyous hearts


The next day was Sunday. but this time
the widow did not sit alone Strange looks
and low murmured words ran through the
congregation, and the minister seemed to
share the surprise Of his audience, and look
ed and preached as though under painful
embarrassment.


He recognized in the stranger, minister,
whose reputation was world -wide-nO other
than the rich and distinguished President
OF -- College, from which he was a
graduate


Prof. C. remembered his former pupil,
but it must be confessed he was both sur
prised and disappointed. He had given
the Young man credit for individual talent,
but this sermon was REPETITION of poor
platitudes, and trucking to public opin
ion. which showed a weak and little mind


Alter service, the President stopped