The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-12-11

when he had opened 1t. Cathy flung. on
her bonnet and caught the children 70 neI'
They knew her then and ceased their cries.
Presently Reed held the paper across 10
me, his hand trembling worse than pc
fore, and his face, that illness had lett
white, turning ghsstly with emotion.
please read 1t, SIR -,.,
I aid not understand It ut first, either,
but the sense came to me soon. IL was y
certificate OF the marriage OF spencer
Geryoise Daubeney Parrifer and Catnc-
rine Reed. They had been married at Llv-
erpool the very day after Cathy disappear
ed from home; now just q year ago:
A sound OF sobbing broke tho stiffness.
Reed had fallen back In his chair III q sort
of hysterical flt. Defiant, hard, strong
minded Reed! But the man was three
parts dead fr0m weakness. 1t lasted ous
q minute or two; he aroused himself as u
ashamed, swallowed down his soDs, anu
was still.
How came he to marry You. CathyE
because wouldn't 90 with him to Ire
land without 1t, father.
And be you repenting OF 1t yetF ask
ed Mrs. Reed, In an ungraciOus tone.
Pretty near answered Cathy with can
dor.
Il appeared that Cathy had made her
way direct to Liverpool when she LETT
home the previous January, travelling al
night. There she met young Parriier'
who had preceded her and made arrange
ments for the marriage. They were mar
rled that day, and afterwards went TO
Ireland, where he had to join his regi-
ment.
To hear all this, sounding like n page
out Of q romance, would be something
wonderful for our quiet place. You meet
with marvellous stories In towns now ana
then, but they are almost unknown with
US.
where's your husbandg asked Reed.
Cathy tossed her head. 'Ah! where !!
That's what I've come home about she
answered; and It struck me ut once that
something was wrong.
What occurred next we only learnt from
hearsay. l said gOod-day to them and
came away, thinking to myself 1t might
have been better II Cathy had not married
and had not left home. 1t was fancy Of
mine, and I don't know why 1t should
have come to me, but 1t proved to be q
right one. Cathy put OH her bonnet again
to 60 to Parrifer Hall and the particulars
of her visit were known abroad later.
It was getting rather dark when she ap-
preached Il; the sun had set, the gray Of
evening was drawing on. Two Of the
Misses Parrifer were ut the window, and
saw her coming. but Cathy had her vail
down and they did not recognize her. The
actions and manners and air of lady do
not come of a sudden to one who has been
bred differently; and the Misses Parrifer
supposed the visitor to be for the serv-
ants.
Like her impudenceI said Miss Jemi-
ma. Coming to the front entrance!'
For Cathy, whose years experience In
Ireland had widely changed her, had no
notion Of taking her old position. She
meant to hold her own; and was capable
Of doing II, not being deficient In the quail
ity just ascribed to her by the Misses Par
rifer.
'What nextP' cried Miss Jemlma, rs n
ring and knock resounded through the
house, waking up the major, who had
been doing over the fire amidst his daugh-
ters.
The next was that a servant came to
the room and told the major lady want
ed him. She had been shown into the Ii
brary.
'What namer asked the major.
She didn't give none, sir. asked but
she said never mind the name.
Go and ask It,
The man went and came back. IT'S
Mrs. Parrifer, SIR
Mrs. WhoP
MRS. Parrlfer, SIR
The major turned and stared ut his SER
want. They had no relatives. Consequent
ly the only Mrs. Parrifer within knowl-
edge was his wife.
Staring ut the man would not bring any
elucidation. Major Parifer went to the Il
brary and there saw tho lady standing ut
one side of the fender holding her foot to
the fire. She had her back to him, did
not turn. and so the major went round to
the other side Of the hearth rug where he
could see her.
MY servant told me Mrs. Parrifer
wanted to sec me. Did he mako u mis-
take In the namer
No mistake at all, SIR said Catly,
throwing up her vail, and drawing step
or two back, Il am Mrs. Parrifer.'
The major recognized her then. Cathy
Reed! He was man whose bluster rare
~ failed, but he had none ready Mt that
moment. Three parts astounded, various
perplexities tied his tongue.
"fhat Is to say, Mrs. Spencer Parrifer,'
continued Cathy. And have come over
from Ireland on mission to you, sir, from
your son.
The major thought that of oil the au-
daclous women It had ever been his lot to
meet, this one was the worst: at least as
much as he could think anything, for his
wits were little confused Just then. A
moments pause and then the storm burst
forth
Cathy was called various dlsagreeable
names and ordered out Of the room and
the house. The major put up his hands to
'hurrish' her out-as we say In Worcester
shire by tho cows, though i don't think
you'd find the word In the Electromagnetic
Cathy stood her ground. He then went
screaming towards the door, calling for
the servants to come and put her forth;
Cathy, quicker than he, gained 1t first
and turned to face him, her back against
1t.
You needn't call me those names, ma
jor Parrifer. Not that care. as might
II deserved them. am your sons wife
and have been ever since LEFT my fathers
cottage last year; and my baby, your
grandson, sir, which Is seven weeks old he
Is, Is now ut the Red Lion, mile of. I've
LEFT It there with the landlady a blt.'
He couldn't put her out Of the room un:.
less by force; he looked ready to kick and
strike her; but In the midst Of 1t o horri-
Bile dread rose up In his heart that the
calm words were true. Perhaps from the
hour when Reed had presented himself ut
the house to ask for his daughter, the eve
ming Of the day he was discharged from
prison, up to this time, the major had nev.
or thought Of the girl. 1t had been said
In his ears now aud again that Reed was
grieving for his daughter; but the matter
was altogether too contcmptuous for the
major to take note Of. And now to hear
that the girl had been with his son all the
while, his wifel But that utter disbelief
came to his aid, the major might have fall
en- In q flt on the spot. For young Parri.
fer had cleverly contrived that neither his
father at homo nor his friends near should
know anything about Cathy. He had
been with his regiment In quarters; she
had lived In private In another part Of the
town. Mrs. Reed had once called Lieu
tenant Parrifer as soft rs toni-tit; he
was vast deal softer.
Woman! II you do not quilt my house,
with your shameless Hes, you shall be
flung out Of It.
IN quit Il as soon as I've told you what
came over tho sea to tell. Please to look
ut this first SIR
Major Parrier snatched tho paper that
a. H. al