Page:The Social War.djvu/72



ISTER NANCY CLOVER had been spreading secretly amongst her circle of saints the delightful gossiping news that Miss Lucinda Armington was not what she ought to be, having been too intimate with this roué, Victor Juno, and, of course, since both Dr. Victor Juno and Miss Lucinda Armington disappeared at the same time, the entire community believed that an elopement was certain.

A great deal of sympathy was felt and expressed for General Washington Armington, and whilst many saints innately rejoiced at the calamity that had befallen the general, they nevertheless were free with their expressions of pity for the poor misled daughter, whilst they denounced to General Armington's face this profligate son of toil, whose "out-growth" was plainly to be seen in this ungrateful act to his benefactor and intended father-in-law. The general would not allow any one to say anything cruel of his daughter or Dr. Juno; because he believed them innocent of crime. He soliloquized thus: "Why should my faithful and loving daughter elope with Victor Juno, or why should he desire to do so, as long as I encouraged their union?"

Whilst the general was thus in deep meditation, Deacon Rob Stew was ushered into the library of the former, where the general sat with downcast countenance.

"Good morning," cheerfully said Deacon Stew.

"Good morning," coldly replied the general.

"My dear brother, do not take this elopement so seriously to heart, for I have rather good news for you"—

"What is it?" interposed the general, impatiently.