The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1868-04-02

49, VIZ SNN'N' ~ NNNA piiOhiA
never forgive myself" returned Mrs
Bedford, rising in furried manner
"only to think if anything should hap
pen to dear Emma, and not there7'
II cannot allow it, Matilda. You
health is Of more consequence to me,
replied Captain Bedford, in an excited
tone. But Mrs. Bedford was decided
and carried her point "Mrs. Greer
will, | am sure" she said, "let Mary
help me just to pack few necessaries
| have not moment to spare, for
must catch the train which goes to Has,
tings at 7.10. William, love, do &c
and get a cab while pack my carpet
bag" "Now Mrs. Green, ask you, .
pleaded Captain Bedford, sis it moi
madness? Do try your influence tc
prevent my wife undertaking such Q
journey in her present state"
We all tried our best, hoping there
was no necessity for such a step; but
Mrs. Bedford was deaf to onr remon-
strances, and hastily quitting the table
began to make her preparations, while
the captain, after clustering a little,
went for cab, saying he wished tele-
graphs had never been invented, and
he supposed he must take his wife to
her sister and return by the next train.
For the next ten minutes all was hustle
and confusion. Miss Green herself
packed up Mrs. Bedford's bag with a
few things the latter lady solicited from
her large traveling-box, which stood in
the corner of her room. Laden with
wraps, she came down, and hurriedly
bidding us good by, got into the cab
with her husband, and drove off, the
latter, having run in for something she
had forgotten at the last moment, said
he should be back tomorrow at latest
In conjunction with Miss Green, /
had gone up stairs to help Mrs. Bedford
in anything | could do, and having left
my own shawl in her room when came
down to see her off, l returned, after
her departure, to fetch it. l could not
find it, but being sure of having had it
on, l began searching for it. 1t was
indeed. Either Mrs. Bedford
must have taken it by mistake in the
hurry; or, perhaps, it had fallen behind
the large box, on which l fancied re-
membered placing it. inferred the
latter, and set to work to move what l
expected to be very weighty. l laid
hold of the lid, and in doing so drew it
up. To my astonishment the trunk
was empty. My shawl was not there!
nothing but scrap of paper, screwed
up, laid behind the box. Curiosity
me to pick it up and open it.
On it was written, in pencil, Prepared
to receive you TO train, Friday"
The encounter in the Grove the prece-
ding Saturday flashed across my mind.
What could it mean? Mrs. Bedford had
knelt at the box as she gave forth the
things to Miss Green to put in the bag,
making selection. Why
was it now empty! | turned to look
round the room. A brush or two on
the dressing table, few litters, papers,
and an old morning g-dress hanging on
The door, were all the property left be-
hind. Still it was no business of mine.
Doubtless Mrs. Green was satisfied with
ner dodgers, and it was not my place to
interfere. The captain was to return
the next day; but still the empty trunk
and the slip of paper haunted me. My
shawl, too, and the sovereign she had
Should | ever see them
again? d
Later in the evening, about eight
o'clock, Mr., Raven dropped in. He
was astonished to find his friends gone,
md Concurred in thinking it a great
'isk for Mrs. Bedford with such cold
lie said he believed she was very de-
yoted sister, and, moreover, he knew
when a woman was determined it was
useless to try and stop her. The next
lay passed, but Captain Bedford did
lot make his appearance. Mrs. Green
that as they were gone into
he country, he had probably been in
luced to remain over the Sunday.
came but he did not re-
urn; Tuesday Wednesday, and Thurs
lay, but not line either from the Cap
ain or his wife. At last even kind old !
Mrs. Green grew suspicious. / ven
ured to ask, hesitatingly had they paid
n advance? q had volunteered to do
20 myself) No." Mrs. Green said;
she had not liked to ask them for
money. She lad been at considerable |
expense in outlay when they came,
md had thought they would be sure to
ettIe accounts at the end OF the month.
But of course it was all right Mrs.
3edford's travelling-box was up stairs,
md she must either return or send for
t. then felt bound to relate that ac-
.identally had discovered it was emp
y. Poor Mrs. Green! | shall never
orget the blank expression of Counte-
lance exhibited as | made my commu-
lication, and after satisfying herself
hat my statement was correct, she told
ne that with the wine, DC. that she
lad furnished the Bedfords, they were
ia in her debt. What should she
lol She appealed to me for advice,
What could / say7 l suggested that if
he heard nothing for another week, she
lad better consult Mr. Raven. After
1.-The had introduced them, and prob
bly, knew their whereabouts. We
| Al