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

SHeI v,ucers. Ihey might not have
Tolerated him ut all but for winning his
money. He drank and played cards and
Gct upon norses; they encouraged him 70
drink; and then made him play and bet,
anu altogether cleared him out; not OF
brains, he had none to be cleared OF, but
OF money: Kuhn stared him In the face
nus available cash had been parted with
long ago his commission Qt was said)
was mortgaged; how many promissory
notes; oills, iOUs he had signed, could not
nights before, after public.house supper.
when some Of them were the worse for
dr!s's, young Parrifer, who could 20 on
rare occasions into frightful passions,
flung carvlng-knife ut one of the others,
lieutenant named Cook; It entered vi.
tal part and killed him. Parrifer was ar
rested by the police at once; he was In
plain clothes, and there was nothing to
show that he was an officer. They had to
strap him down to carry him to prison;
between drink, rage and fever he was q
maniac. The next morning he was lying
In brain fever, and when Cathy len he
Tas In strait-waistcoat.
She gave the heads or this account In rs
fw words as It Is written. The major
stood like helpless man. Taking one
thing with another, the blow was horrible.
Parents don't often see the defects In their
own children, especially II they are only
sons; far from having thought his son
soft, unfit (as he was neafly) to be trusted
about, the major had been proud Of him
as his heir. and told the world he was per-
fection. Soft rs the young man was, he
had ccntrived to keep his III doings from
his father.
OF course 1t was only natural that the
majors first relief should be abuse to
Cathy. He told her, all that had hap
pened to his son she was the cause of, and
called her few more genteel names In
doing It.
Not ut ALL said Catly; you are wrong
there, sir. His marriage with me was q
little bit Of q stop-gap, and served to keep
him straight for month or two; but for
that, he'd have done for himself before he
has. DO you think I've had a bargain In
him, sirP No. Marriage Is thing that
can't be undone. Major Parrifer; but I
wish to my heart was at home again In
fathers cottage, light headed Cathy
Reed
The major made no answer. Cathy
went on.
when the news was brought to me by
his servant. that he had killed man and
was lying raving. thought 1t time to go
and see about him. They wouldn't let
me into the lookup house where he was
lying-and you might have heard his raw
ings outside-I did. said was his wife
and then they told me I had better see
Capt. Williams. went to headquarters
and saw Capt. Williams. He seemed to
doubt me, till showed him the certificate
t,ll tl,nh hah . kt,r
ed six weeks old. He was very kind then,
sir; he took me to see my husband; and
he advised me to come home here at once
what was the truth-that had no money,
and the lodgings were owing for. He
said the lOdgins must walt, and he would
lend me enough money for the Journey
Did you sec hlmr growled Major Par
rifer.
Cathy knew that he alluded to his son,
though he would not speak the name.
Il saw him, sir; told you SO. He did
not know me or anybody else; he was
raving mad, and shaking SO that tho bed
shook under him.
How Is It that they have not written to
meY demanded Nor Parrifer.
Il don't think anybody liked to do It.
Capt. Williams said the best plan would
be for me to come. He asked me II I
would like to hear the truth of the past rs
regarded my husband, or IL would just
come here and tell you the bare facts
that were known about his illness and the
charge against him, said I'd prefer to
hear the truth-that 1t couldn't be worse
than suspected. Then he went on to
the drinking and the gambling and the
debts. just as I've repeated to you, sir.
He wasvery gentle; but he said he thought
It would be mistaken kindness not to let
mo fully understand the state Of things.
He said Mr.. Parrifer's father, or some
other friend, had better 90 over to Ire
land
In spite of himself, groan escaped Ma.
jor Parrifer. Tho blow was the worst
not cared much for his daughters; his
ambition was wrapped up In his son. Wis.
ions of q s0j0urn at Dublin and of q figur-
Ing off ut the vice regal court, himself, his
wife, and his son, had foated occasional
" In rose-colorcd clouds before his brain,
poor old stupid. And now-to picture the
visit he must set out upon, and ere the
night was over, nearly drove him Wild
with pain. Cathy unlatched the door but
waited to speak again before she opened
It.
I'll rid the house of me now that I've
broke 1t to you, sir. II you want me I
shall be found at fathers cottage, sup
pose they'll let Inc stay there; II not, you
can hear of me at the place where I've
left my baby. And II your son should
ever wake out of his dellrium, Major Par
rifer, he'll be able to tell you that II he'd
listened to me and needed me, or even
only come to spend his evenings with me
which it's months since he did-he'd not
have been In this plight now. Should
they try him for murder; and nothing can
save him from It II he gets well; -
A succession Of screams cut short what
Cathy was about to add. In her surprise
she drew wide the door, and was confron-
ted by Miss Jemima Parrifer. That young
lady, curious upon the subject Of the visit
and visitor, had thought It well to put her
ear to the library door. 10 no effect,
however, until Cathy unlatched It. And
then she had heard moro than she had
thought for.
is 1t your roughly cried Miss. Jemi-
ma, recognizing her for the ill-talked OF
Cathy Reed. the daughter OF the majors
enemy. what do you want herer
Cathy did not answer. She walked to
the hall door. and let herself out. Miss
OChuiuO NCub VII iibO
Papa, what was It she was saying |
about Spencer, that vile glrlH What
did she do heres Why did she send In
her name rs Mrs. Parrlferr
The major might have hoard the ques. |
tlons, or he might not; he didn't respond
to them. Miss Jemlma, looking closely
at him In tho dusk of the room, saw Q
grey, worn, terror-stricken face, that had
never yet looked like her fathers
'Oh, papa! what lis the matterf Arc you
MP
He walked toward her In the quietest
manner possible, took her arm and push |
ed her out at the door; not rudely; softly |
rs one might do who Is In dream.
presently, presently he muttered In
quite IN altered voice. low and timid. And |
Miss Jemlma found tho door bolted against |
her.
II must have been an awful moment |
with him. Look OH what side he would, |
there was no comfort. Spencer Parrifer |
was ruined past redemption. He might |
die In this illness, and then, what OF his |
soulf not that tho major was given to that |
kind Of reflection. Escaping the illness, |
he must be tried-for his life, as Cathy |
had phrascd 1t. And, escaping that, if
the miracle were possible there remained |