The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-09-28

nunUeu nlSn anu low, ana came DacK
to his partner with a wild look of alarm
in his face, and his now scanty locks
almost on end.
"She's clean gone!-not sign of
herr' he said.
Mr.. MacNeil was more mad than
grieved, for he knew she'd come in, he
said, at the fag-end of the feast, and
spoil everything. "She's run out some
where for something" said poor Mac,
little thinking of the nature of her err
rand. He made an apt excuse to his
daughter, and the supper went on sue
cessfully. Poor Shiel ate never a
mouthful, and his face was as white
and blank as if he had seen a ghost;
but nobody minded Shiel. In truth,
Macs own appetite was a little frus-
trated, and as the night wore away he
was heartily glad to see the people
trooping out to their carriages. When
all were gone, little upstairs maid,
who had always been civil to poor Jen-
ny, put little note into Macs hand,
saying that her mistress told her not to
give it to him till the festivity was over
Mac opened it with trembling hand,
and read poor Jenny's scrawl:
I'm gone for good and all, dearie.
For long time I've seen that you and
my darling child were beyond me in
everything. l can never get up to you;
so please forgive me if l stop by the
way. God bless and prosper you, is
the prayer of your faithful
JENNIE"
Mac handed it over to Shiel, and
dropped into chair as if struck BY ~.
unseen hand. The air was a little
heavy with the breath of his artistic
guests who had just departed, and the
scent of the exotics sickened his nos
trils; the big blaze of light grew dim
about him, and all he could see forthat
weary minute was the sweet face of a
young English girl he had known and
loved almost beyond his strength long
time ago.
Shiel had read the note for the sixth
time, his face growing more and more
distracted and imbecile, and had begun
to read it over again, when MAJ cried
out, in a broken voice, "COuld any vii
lain be at the bottom of this, Shiel?-
could any one have tempered With her
loyalty?"
"Nevern' cried Shiel, Indignantly.
"rll answer for that with my life. |
know how foolishly faithful She was
never an eye or an ear for anybody
else. know that by experience. Many's
the time I've tried to console her my
self for your indifference"
my what?' roared poor Mac.
Your Indifference and neglect, sir!'
cried Shiel, now aroused to The pitch
of recklessness. "She was a pearl of
purity and sweet simplicity, but shew as
cast before swine, sir"
"Shiel, you are always more or less
fool" groaned Mac, lard now your
clean daft" But he listened to Shiel
as he went on to give him a piece OF
his mind, and took heart as he
gathered in the evidence of Jen-
ny's wounded love. She'll be back
before twenty-four hours,' said Mac,
land We'll all be the happier for this
little bout"
But twenty-four hours went by, and
forty-eight; whole week passed away,
and no Jenny came to lift the weight
from Macs heart. Shiel advised him
to secretly consult the police, at which he
first revolted then succumbed; but with
no success. A fortnight went by, and
even Shiel forgave every fault of Macs,
so. deep and sincere were his sorrow and
penitence. The musical abstraction OF
Miss Jean served in a measure to miti.
gate her grief, and an eminent profes.
sor had offered her the warmest sym.
pathy and consolation a man can offer
but poor Mac hated the thought Oh
sound of music now, and would have
no cOmmiseration save that of Shiel
which, indeed, partook of so unweareC
a nature that Mac chung to it as 9
drowning man will to straw.
AT the end of month Shiel declared
that journalism was the only thing lef
to them. He had held it, he said as {
dermier resort, not wanting to set the
tongues of the world that Jenny Sc
hated wagging in her behalf; but hel
cruel obstinacy had left them no alter
native.
81 see," said Mac, the persona
column in the Herald Make it as agon
izing as you can, Shiel. God knows i
can't hold misery enough. Tell her t.
come back and rule in everything
manage the money and the business
smash the piano, and forbid Jean,
marriage to the professor; and tell her
Shiel, the house is .cauld without her
and my heart wearies sair.' And here
the tears rolled out of his eyes, and ,
lump in his throat stopped his speech
Nonsense, man." said Shiel. ''Cal
you that journalism? Listen here, sir
to the cunning touch of genius, tn,
lever that moves the world" And h,
read forth to the Responding partner
little paragraph from prominent news
paper, stating the deep regret will
which they learned that the recent do
nestle troubles of the eminent musica
critic Mr.. MacNeil had not only pros
trated him upon bed of illness, wher,
he was now lying in a critical condi
ton, but that his business affairs hat
become hopelessly entangled, and Their,
was probability of an early sale of hi
household effects for the benefit of hi
creditors. Among these articles wer,
some musical curiosities, information
of which could be obtained of Mr.. Shiel
Printing-House Square, No. blank.
"And now | must 90 TO No. blank a
once" said Shiel; "for, if I'm not mis-
taken, this will fetch her within tn,
hour
Gb;o1 boJ M soo,a,. no. ,,c.,.aI -. L /.