But it seemed my chance for happiness and I took it . I am glad I did . '' I did not answer in words , but lovers will know how I did answer . The Gossip of Valley View It was the first of April , and Julius Barrett , aged fourteen , perched on his father 's gatepost , watched ruefully the low descending sun , and counted that day lost . He had not succeeded in `` fooling '' a single person , although he had tried repeatedly . One and all , old and young , of his intended victims had been too wary for Julius . Hence , Julius was disgusted and ready for anything in the way of a stratagem or a spoil . The Barrett gatepost topped the highest hill in Valley View . Julius could see the entire settlement , from `` Young '' Thomas Everett 's farm , a mile to the west , to Adelia Williams 's weather-grey little house on a moonrise slope to the east . He was gazing moodily down the muddy road when Dan Chester , homeward bound from the post office , came riding sloppily along on his grey mare and pulled up by the Barrett gate to hand a paper to Julius . Dan was a young man who took life and himself very seriously . He seldom smiled , never joked , and had a Washingtonian reputation for veracity . Dan had never told a conscious falsehood in his life ; he never even exaggerated . Julius , beholding Dan 's solemn face , was seized with a perfectly irresistible desire to `` fool '' him . At the same moment his eye caught the dazzling reflection of the setting sun on the windows of Adelia Williams 's house , and he had an inspiration little short of diabolical . `` Have you heard the news , Dan ? '' he asked . `` No , what is it ? '' asked Dan . `` I dunno 's I ought to tell it , '' said Julius reflectively .
`` It 's kind of a family affair , but then Adelia did n't say not XXXXX , and anyway it 'll be all over the place soon .
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