Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-08-01

stcWuiu spohc, tOucucu HIS udl, uuu iouo
forward in haste, hearing only breathless,
"Thank you, oh, thank you!" from Pennie,
which sounded as If 1t came from her heart.
She Immediately turned her pony's head,
and intimating to her antiquatcd at
tendant, Crabtree, that it was her
good pleasure to go down to Mayfeld,
set off at a canter towards steep, rough
shecp-track, which, winding down the fell,
would bring her by short cut, but by no
means very easy one, to her mothers house.
Crabtree shouted after her in vain not to go
by that "break-neck road y she only shouted
back, "You go by the Low Rood Lane, and
meet me between Mayfield and the Parson-
age. shall go this way" And she went,
for miracle, as he said, safely.
Just at the garden door she encountered
Mr.. IIargrove coming out. He started
when he saw her, but she was too full oi
her own eager, palpitating impatience to
observe anything beyond the fact that he
had passed. Old Jacob came hobbling up
to take her pony, and dropping from her
saddle, she ran in doors, her habit gathered
over her left arm, her little whip clutched
in her right hand, crying, 'sMIother, mother,
where are you!"
The door of the dining -parlor stood
open, and on the hearth was Mrs. Croft,
looking extraordinarily confused, vexed, and
guilty. "Why, Pennic, love, little expect
ed to see you this afternoon, said she.
Pennie kissed her. "bIy letter, mother,
give me my letter." was all she could reply.
She was quite overweight, her face had
paled to the lips there was fiuttering at
her heart, strange reeling darkness before
her eyes.
"What letter? l have no letter."
"The letter that Mr.. Roberts left with
you for me-"
"Don't let us have any nonsense, Pennie.
1t was from Mr. Tindal, and did you expect
I should give it you? Not SO ? Your guard
ians have forbid any correspondence, and l
have forbid it. Mr.. Hargrove happened to
come in as it was lying on the table there,
and he said the best thing could do was to
pnt il in the fire, and burn it. And l took
his advice"
The next moment, the widow wished to
heaven she had not. The darkness that
Pennie felt went round whirling, the ground
seemed to slip away under her feet, and for
the first time in her life she sank down in a
fainting fit. Her mother was terribly alarm
ed. She called for Bessie, Bessiel" in a
voice that brought the damsel running from
the kitchen in fright; and when she saw
Pennie on the floor, and her mother kneel-
ing by her, fumbling at her habit to give her
air, she thought that nothing less than death
was the matter, and fell to wringing her
hands and crying aloud.
"Don't stand there helpless, but bring a
can of water from the pump" said the wild
dow, her fear and compunction taking the
tone of anger. Bessie promptly obeyed
and the old remedy being applied in the Wig
orous old way, Pennie presently opened her
eyes again, drew long breath, and felt wet
and uncomfortable.
You'll be better now, love; you've over
tired yourself, that's what you've done, said
her mother, eager after self-exculpation.-
" You ride too far by half-one would think
you fancied yourself made of bend-leather.
I .nuss speak to Mrs. Wynward about it,;
it won't do to have you knocking yourself
up like this. never knew you to do such
a fond thing as faint before. If was you
would leave fainting to fine ladies. How are
you feeling yourself nowa"
"Dontlct Jacob put up my pony, am
not going to stay" replied Pennie with
trembling fingers beginning to refasten her
habit at the throat, and turning her face to
the open window to let the viyifying air
blow upon her.
Her mother burst into remonstrancc, to
which she made no answered. which, in
deed, she heard not word. She was think
ing: "My letter, my letter, my letterl +" as
some thirsty little animal might think of a
long g-sought water-fount that it had found
run dry in the burning drought of August.
When Mrs. Croft discerned the effect of her
act, she repented; but as usual, with wrath
which overflowcd in harsh and angry re-
proaches. Pennie needed them no more
than her remonstrance. In the midst of the
Glamour she turned around, and offered hel
parting kiss; and when her mothers voice
broke, at that, into sob, she only said :
SIT is ofno use crying, mother. But yor
know how all these months I have beer
longing to hear, r,"-and then Pennies owr
lips quivered, her voice dropped, and sht
pulled her veil over her face to hide the seal
ding tears that would come in spite of her
"Have glass of wine to strengthen yol
for your ride" said the widow. "Do nov
to please me, Pennie."
Pennie took the potion, and then wen
her way without more words-but oh, hoy
cruelty hurt, how cruelty disappointed +
Crabtree reioined her close at home. an
SLOWLY she rode back to Rood. weeping. boo
little soul, all the way. and dwelling wit
the fonder affection on MIR. Tindals memory
becausc everybody else who was most boun
to love and protect her seemed so unkind.-
Rut her mother never would have burnt he
letter iftbat man. that odious MIR. Hargroy
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