This etext was produced by Julie A. Irizarry. email at jairizarry(at)adelphia.net Miss Gibbie Gault by Kate Langley Bosher Author of "Mary Cary," etc. With Frontispiece By Harriet Roosevelt Richards To My Husband Contents Chap. I. The Guild of Gossips II. The Views of Miss Gibbie III. Apple-Blossom Land IV. The Council Chamber V. In Which Mary Cary Speaks VI. Midnight VII. Peggy VIII. Peggy's Party IX. John Maxwell and Mary Cary X. The Forgotten Engagement XI. A Day of Entertainment XII. The Bargain XIII. A Grateful Convalescent XIV. A Morning Talk XV. Buzzie XVI. Men and Husbands XVII. In Which Mary Cary is Puzzled XVIII. Pictures in the Fire XIX. The Testimony Party XX. A Sudden Change XXI. The Release XXII. The News XXIII. The Guild Again XXIV. The Piece of Paper XXV. The Conclusion of a Matter XXVI. The Surrender XXVII. A Tie That Binds MISS GIBBIE GAULT Chapter I THE GUILD OF GOSSIPS The Needlework Guild, which met every Thursday at eleven o'clock, on this particular Thursday was meeting with Mrs. Tate. It was the last meeting before adjournment for the summer, and though Mrs. Pryor, the president, had personally requested a large attendance, the attendance was small. In consequence, Mrs. Pryor was displeased. "Mercy, but it's warm in here," said Mrs. Tate, going to a window and opening wide its shutters. "I had no idea it would be as hot as this to-day, though you can nearly always look for heat in May." She slapped her hands together in an attempt to kill a fly that was following her, then stood a moment at the window looking up and down the street. "Wish to goodness I could have one of those electric fans like Miss Gibbie Gault's got," she went on, coming back to her seat and wiping her face with Mrs. Webb's handkerchief, which happened to be closest to her; "but wishing and getting are not on speaking terms in our house. Have any of you seen Miss Gibbie's new hat?" "I have." Mrs. Moon took up the large braidbound palm-leaf fan lying on the chair next to her and began to use it in leisurely, rhythmic strokes. "She has five others exactly like it. She says she would have ordered ten, but when a person has passed the sixty-fifth birthday the chances are against ten being used, and six years ahead are sufficient provision for hats. Five of them are put away in camphor." "Imagine ordering hats for years ahead just to save trouble! I'm thankful to have one for immediate use." Mrs. Corbin put down the work on which she had not been sewing and folded her arms. "Miss Gibbie may be queer, but there's a lot of sense in deciding on a certain style and sticking to it. Fashions come and fashions go, but never is she bothered. Just think of the peace of mind sacrificed to clothes!"